Direct Support Worker

New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults, and Families; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental Benefits

Long Term Disability Benefits

Pension Plan

Job summary

New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults, and Families is seeking Youth Care Workers to support youth in a specialized home that builds life skills, social skills, and independent living abilities. You will work with a multidisciplinary team to provide counseling, crisis intervention, daily living support, and supervision, with documentation and coordination with community resources.

This full-time, 2-year term position offers benefits and a wage range of CAD 17–23 per hour, based on education

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; post-secondary education in disability services, Youth Care Worker, and/or mental health is preferred.
• Experience with individuals with intellectual and/or cognitive disabilities is valued.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• ASIST and/or Mental Health Training are assets.
• Understanding of Trauma Informed Care is important.
• A valid Class 5 driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one and group support to youth in a home setting.
• Demonstrate basic counselling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution and problem solving.
• Assist with daily living skills, social skills and behaviour management.
• Support with cooking, money management, shopping, and safety skills.
• Coordinate activities and liaise with agencies, professionals, and community resources.
• Transport individuals to activities and appointments when needed.

Skills

Counselling

Crisis intervention

Conflict resolution

Problem solving

Written and verbal communication

Trauma-Informed Care understanding

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Post-secondary education in disability services / Youth Care Worker / mental health

Tools

ASIST Training

Driver's license (Class 5)

Job description

New Directions is a social service agency offering a wide range of resources and services that foster people's hopes and dreams in their communities.

The Youth Supported Independent Living Program, offers supports for youth who have develop more basic skills to live independently with supports and are interested in starting to live more independently as they continue working towards their adult life goals (i.e., work, education, relationships, self-care, life in community, etc.), and solidify their independent living skills (i.e., fully manage their budget, keep up with work and education responsibilities independently, use community resources, take care of their mental and physical health, connect with significant others and community meaningfully).

We are currently seeking Youth Care Workers for a specialized home that is designed to assist children and youth to develop life skills, social skills and/or access community resources. Individual care and guidance is provided to align with the needs of the child/youth to assist with mental health issues, behavioral challenges, or addictions. We provide stabilization through predictable structures, clear expectations and positive behavior support. Supports are provided 24 hours, 7 days a week, in fast-paced shift staffed homes operated by New Directions.

Position details as follows:

• Varied days

Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):

• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrate skills in basic counselling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution and problem solving
• Provide support with daily life skills, social skills and /or behaviour management.
• Assist with building skills in basic cooking, money management, shopping, and safety skills.
• Facilitate physical, recreational, educational, social and vocational activities, and maintain liaison with other agencies, professionals, government officials and the community.
• Accompany and/or transportindividuals to activities such as appointments, shopping, school, employment or leisure activities.
• Recognize, analyze and deal with potential emergency situations such as individuals' aggressive behaviour to minimize potential harm to the person and/or the public.
• Administer medication to individuals in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Ensure health and safety standards are maintained
• Attend to the physical, emotional, and medical needs of the children or youth
• Ensure that all required documentation is complete and accurate

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates with post-secondary education in the area(s) of disability services, Youth Care Worker, and/or mental health
• Minimum two (2) years experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or cognitive disabilities. Varying experience and education may be considered
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• ASIST and/or Mental Health Training considered an asset
• Demonstrated understanding of Trauma Informed Care
• A valid Class 5 driver's license is a requirement for this position

The salary range for this Full-time, 2-year term 80-hour bi-weekly position is $17.3239 to $23.3888 per hour, dependent upon education and/or experience. This position is eligible for a full benefit package (which includes Health and Dental Benefits, Long Term Disability Benefits, and a Pension Plan).

The successful candidate will be subject to Criminal Record Check, Adult and Child Abuse Registry Check, Prior Contact Checks; and must supply a satisfactory driver's safety rating.

The closing date for all application is October 23rd, 2026.

New Directions is committed to equity and diversity and especially welcomes applications from persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers to Canada. We strive for a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we support and contributes to the diversification of ideas.

Accommodations for accessibility purposes are available for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.