Youth Outreach Worker

City of Richmond; Richmond; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Richmond seeks a Youth Outreach Worker to support youth aged 12 to 17 involved with the youth criminal justice system. You will provide individualized mentorship, case support, and systems navigation within the Community Safety Division.

You will coordinate referrals, develop individualized service plans, and connect youth with community supports, RCMP partners, probation and schools to promote positive development and reintegration.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Child and Youth Care or related discipline.
• 2–5 years of direct youth work experience.
• Valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s Licence.
• Standard First Aid and CPR Certification.

Responsibilities

• Develop professional relationships with youth aged 12 to 17 involved with or at risk of continued involvement in the youth justice system.
• Receive and coordinate referrals from Richmond RCMP, Youth Probation, City programs and community partners.
• Conduct intake interviews and assessments to identify strengths, needs and barriers and develop individualized service plans.
• Provide ongoing mentorship, advocacy and systems navigation to help youth achieve goals and address barriers to services.
• Develop and support programs, workshops and engagement opportunities based on youth needs.

Skills

Relationship building

Mentorship

Case management

Systems navigation

Crisis response

Referrals coordination

Documentation

Education

Diploma in Child and Youth Care

Job description

This highly rewarding position performs community-based youth outreach work in the City of Richmond, with a focus on building supportive relationships with youth aged 12 to 17 involved with the youth criminal justice system. The Youth Outreach Worker provides individualized mentorship, case support, systems navigation, advocacy, and connections to community based supports that promote positive development, rehabilitation and reintegration. Working within the Community Safety Division, the Youth Outreach Worker supports the Building Bridges: Creating Resiliency initiative and works with youth, families, City staff, Richmond RCMP, Youth Probation and community partners. The position coordinates referrals, assesses needs and barriers, develops individualized service plans, and supports youth in accessing services, strengthening protective factors and participating in prosocial opportunities.

Examples of key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop professional relationships based on mutual trust, respect and consistency with youth aged 12 to 17 involved with, or at risk of continued involvement in, the youth criminal justice system.
• Receive and coordinate referrals from Richmond RCMP, Youth Probation, City programs, community partners and other youth serving agencies.
• Conduct intake interviews and assessments to identify individual strengths, needs, risk and protective factors, barriers, existing supports and opportunities, and develop individualized service plans with youth that identify goals, supports, and resources.
• Provide ongoing one-on-one mentorship, problem solving, case support, advocacy and systems navigation to help youth achieve goals and address barriers to services.
• Identify and facilitate access programs and services, including referrals, registration and other barriers to participation.
• Respond to emerging or immediate concerns and facilitate connections to appropriate crisis, health, social service or emergency resources.
• Develop, implement and support programs, workshops, presentations and engagement opportunities based on identified youth needs.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Richmond RCMP, Youth Probation, Richmond School District, Community Associations/Societies and other youth serving organizations, and identify service gaps, barriers and opportunities to strengthen coordinated supports for youth.
• Participate in the Richmond Youth Situation Table to bring forward appropriate cases involving youth experiencing Acutely Elevated Risk, contribute to collaborative planning and support coordinated inter-agency responses.
• Prepare and maintain confidential client records, case notes, service statistics, progress reports and evaluative data.
• Participate in public education, training, professional development and collaborative planning related to youth outreach, youth justice and community safety.
• Maintain flexibility in location and hours of service delivery to support youth engagement and program needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of methods, practices, policies and procedures relevant to community based youth outreach and youth work.
• Knowledge of adolescent behaviour, development and factors associated with youth involvement in the criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of youth mental health, substance use, trauma, risk and protective factors.
• Knowledge of the youth criminal justice system and principles of rehabilitation, reintegration and community based supports.
• Ability to establish and maintain trusting relationships and communicate effectively with a diverse range of youth, including those with multiple or complex needs.
• Ability to conduct intake interviews, identify youth strengths, needs and barriers, and develop individualized service plans.
• Ability to provide one‑on‑one mentorship, advocacy, problem solving and systems navigation, including connecting youth with programs, resources and supports.
• Ability to design, implement, and coordinate programs, workshops and engagement opportunities for youth.
• Ability to recognize emerging concerns, exercise sound judgement and connect youth with appropriate services and supports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with City staff, Community Partners, government agencies and youth serving organizations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain confidential client records, service statistics, progress reports and evaluative data in accordance with privacy and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to work both independently and interdependently while exercising sound judgement, initiative and discretion.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Diploma in Child and Youth Care, Social or Behavioural Sciences, Criminology, Social Work, Recreation or a related discipline.
• A total period of 2 years and up to and including 5 years of related experience working directly with youth in community-based settings, including youth outreach, case support, youth justice or social services, and collaborating with youth serving agencies and justice system partners.
• Valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s Licence
• Standard First Aid and CPR Certification.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.

Working Conditions:

Duties are performed in a variety of office, community, indoor and outdoor environments. The position may require work outside of standard business hours to support youth engagement and program delivery. May encounter youth experiencing behavioural challenges, emotional distress, conflict, substance use concerns or other complex circumstances.