Youth Diversion Worker

Grand Council Treaty #3; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Grand Council Treaty 3 is seeking an internal Youth Diversion Worker to provide one-on-one support to youth referred for diversion by community, police, and courts. You will coordinate with Treaty 3 Community Justice staff to implement diversion plans and connect youth to housing, health, social services and education resources.

The role requires knowledge of Indigenous cultures, strong communication abilities, and experience with restorative justice.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of local Indigenous cultures, histories, practices, and traditions.
• Ability to speak Ojibway or Oji-Cree is an asset.
• Knowledge of Restorative Justice and Youth Criminal Justice Act.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Organized, punctual and discreet with a holistic, strength-based approach.

Responsibilities

• Arrange culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous youth referred for diversion.
• Explain and coordinate alternate sentencing (diversion) options with clients.
• Liaise with counsellors, police, Crown, Defence and court personnel.
• Attend court sessions and advocate for clients.
• Support clients with housing, health, social services and education needs.
• Maintain and document client files and diversion progress.
• Facilitate diversion and restorative justice circles.
• Participate in bi-weekly restorative justice meetings and case management.

Skills

Indigenous cultural knowledge

Communication skills

Restorative justice knowledge

Court liaison

Driver's license

Tools

Word processing

Record keeping

Job description

INTERNAL / TREATY 3 COMMUNITY POSTING ONLY
This position is open only to internal GCT3 staff and Treaty 3 members. Applicants must identify their community. Not open to the general public.

Overview:

The Grand Council “Youth Diversion Worker” Supports the work of the Grand Council and will provide support and one-on-one services to youth community members referred for diversion by the community, police, and courts. The role involves working closely with Treaty #3 Community Justice staff to coordinate and facilitate the diversion process and assist youth in accessing appropriate resources and services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Arranging for culturally appropriate supports for Indigenous accused persons, victims or offenders, including access to Elders.
• Determining which clients are eligible for this alternate approach to sentencing and consulting with these clients as to which sentencing system, they want to take part in.
• Explaining to clients, victims, and other relevant persons of the procedure for alternate sentencing (diversion), and restorative justice.
• Liaising with counsellors, Treaty 3 Police, OPP, Crown, Defense and various court personnel during the alternate sentencing process.
• Attending court sessions to ensure clients are in attendance and advocating on behalf of clients.
• Ensuring that clients in the diversion program are following the diversion plan.
• Assisting clients in determining what additional support is needed, such as housing, health, social assistance and education, and contacting agencies or government departments who provide the needed support.
• Maintaining client files that document the offence, other pertinent information, and the client’s diversion plans and progress.
• Facilitation of diversion and Justice circles.
• Attend and participate in the bi-weekly Kenora Restorative Justice Committee, receiving referrals, case managing, and providing updates on clients.
• Other restorative justice work, as it applies to clients, the justice department, and Grand Council Treaty 3.

Qualifications:

• Working knowledge and understanding of local Indigenous cultures, histories, practices, and traditions. Ability to speak Ojibway or Oji-Cree is an asset
• Working knowledge of Indigenous services and resources available in the Kenora area and surrounding communities.
• Knowledge in Restorative Justice.
• Ability to articulate criminal and social justice issues; Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
• A genuine interest in seeing community members develop and succeed.
• Assertiveness, self-starter, self-motivated.
• Computer proficiency.
• High degree of professionalism and discretion.
• Organized and punctual.
• Understand and believe in a holistic, restorative, strength-based approach to supporting justice-involved individuals.
• Facilitating healing circles when required.
• Knowledge of court protocols.
• Valid driver’s licence and reliable vehicle.
• Other related duties as assigned.

We thank all those who apply. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Submission of a criminal record check is required prior to the offer of employment. We at Grand Council Treaty 3 are committed to transparency in our hiring process and do NOT use AI in the screening process.