Residential Youth Worker

Boys and Girls Club Okanagan; Kelowna; Hybrid; CAD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

BGC Okanagan in Kelowna, BC, is hiring a Residential Youth Worker to support youth at Penny Lane, a short‑term stabilization home for youth facing challenges including homelessness, family conflict, mental health concerns, and substance use.

You will build trust, support routine and resilience, monitor safety, and collaborate with a compassionate team to help youth feel safe, hopeful, and connected to community supports. This role includes evening/night shifts and a thorough screening process.

Qualifications

• Diploma in a related human / social service field.
• Two years recent related experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Class 5 driver’s licence
• Successful completion of Agency screening process, including a consolidated criminal record check (CCRC) and the Criminal Records Review Act check (CRRA) completed by the HUB)

Responsibilities

• Participates in assessment, goal setting and progress evaluation with mental health clinician and behavioral consultant.
• Teaches children/youth to relate in a socially appropriate manner using daily routines and activities.
• Monitors clients in a residential setting and ensures their safety and wellbeing.
• Provides behaviour management counselling one-to-one or in groups, giving feedback and coping techniques.
• Provides emotional support and crisis intervention to clients as needed.
• Maintains communication between group home, school, family and the community.
• Assists with basic personal hygiene, meals, and medication in line with guidelines.
• Maintains reports and daily activity logs.
• Carries out household duties like meal prep and cleaning.
• Accompanies clients to appointments and community outings.
• May be required to work the on-call rotation.

Skills

Two years related experience

Education

Diploma in a related human / social service field

Job description

Residential Youth Worker

Location: Kelowna, BC

Join Our Team as a Residential Youth Worker!

BGC Okanagan is looking for compassionate Residential Youth Workers to support youth at Penny Lane, a short-term, low-barrier stabilization home serving youth facing significant challenges, including homelessness, family conflict, mental health concerns, substance use, and other high-risk circumstances.

Our trauma-informed, caring environment helps youth feel safe, supported, and hopeful about the future. In this role, you will:

• Build meaningful, trusting relationships with youth and support them through individualized, strength-based plans.
• Work with youth who may be experiencing complex barriers and high-risk situations, helping them develop resilience, life skills, and connections to community supports.
• Create a warm, home-like environment that fosters safety, stability, belonging, and healthy routines.
• Collaborate with a dedicated team committed to empathy, respect, accountability, and second chances.

If you are passionate about supporting vulnerable youth, creating safe spaces, and helping young people navigate challenges while building confidence and hope for the future, we encourage you to apply.

At BGC Okanagan, we are committed to fair, inclusive hiring practices and building teams that reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people who have been historically marginalized for many reasons, including race, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, or age.

If you need accessibility support at any stage of the hiring process, we encourage you to let us know and we will accommodate such requests when made.

Here’s what we offer when you join our team:

• A positive, supportive team culture where your contributions are valued
• Ongoing paid professional development to enhance your skills and advance your career
• Childcare discounts to help your family thrive
• Paid sick leave and vacation to help you recharge when needed
• A comprehensive benefits plan

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in the assessment, goal setting and progress evaluation of children / youth alongside mental health clinician and behavioral consultant and each youth’s Circle of Care.
• Teaches children / youth to relate in a socially appropriate manner using daily routines and activities.
• Monitors clients in a residential setting and ensures their safety and wellbeing.
• Provides behaviour management counselling to clients on a one-to-one and/or group basis by performing duties such as providing feedback on clients’ behaviour, teaching coping techniques and adaptive behaviour and providing guidance and support.
• Provides emotional support and crisis intervention to clients which may include non-violent physical interventions.
• Ensures communication and liaison between group home, school, family and the community.
• Ensures that clients’ physical needs are met by performing duties such as assisting with basic personal hygiene, preparing meals, and administering medication as required in accordance with established guidelines, procedures and instructions.
• Maintains reports such as statistics, logbooks, and daily activities on residents.
• Carries out household duties such as meal preparation and household cleaning.
• Administers medication to clients in accordance with established policy.
• Accompanies clients to appointments and community outings.
• May be required to work the on-call rotation.

Qualifications:

• Diploma in a related human / social service field.
• Two (2) years recent related experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Class 5 driver’s licence
• Successful completion of Agency screening process, including a consolidated criminal record check (CCRC) and the Criminal Records Review Act check (CRRA) completed by the HUB

Additional Information:

• This position is open to all applicants
• This position requires union membership

Hours: 27–36 hours per week, Sunday to Tuesday and every second Saturday, 12am-9am

Rate of Pay: $27.54 per hour

Closing Date: Open until filled.

BGC Okanagan is committed to equitable hiring practices. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Canada to be considered for employment. Eligible applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with refugee status who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining BGC Okanagan; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.