Youth Worker, ROP

Covenant-House-International; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 33,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant House Vancouver is hiring frontline youth workers to provide safe, affordable housing and wraparound supports for youth in transition. You will help youth 16–24 develop life skills, pursue education or employment, and celebrate their achievements while working in a trauma-informed team environment.

The role involves direct interaction with youth, collaboration with staff, and responsive crisis intervention.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree related to social service and experience in a similar role is an asset
• Two years full-time experience in a similar role is preferred
• First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is an asset

Responsibilities

• Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to needs, provide practical resources
• Initiate, develop and maintain relationships with at risk youth 16-24 years of age
• Orient new youth, complete program intake/admission
• Work with staff to set attainable short/long-term goals and action plans
• Assist youth with accessing external supports and accompany them if needed
• Support youth with Life Skills such as cooking, money management, self-care
• Respond to emergencies using trauma-informed practice and provide crisis intervention
• Manage youth case files, reporting and documentation
• Attend training as directed by manager
• Front Desk and reception duties as required
• Other duties as required

Job description

As we serve vulnerable youth, all employees working for Covenant House Vancouver must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to your start date.

About Covenant House Vancouver

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided relentless support for youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to young people age 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma; including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need.

Working at Covenant House will be one of the most meaningful things that you’ll do in your life. However, you will be confronted with significant issues in this work and frankly, this work is not for everyone. In the course of doing your work, particularly for those doing frontline work, you will be exposed to the trauma of others. The youth we serve may also experience overdose, physical harm perpetuated by self or others and even death.

Because we provide a relational model of care, the harms our youth experience can impact us in varying degrees. While we provide training for youth workers on avoiding what we call vicarious trauma (namely, the trauma you can experience or take on by hearing other’s traumatic stories), and a generous allowance for counselling, it is still difficult work that can and does take its toll on many employees. Self-awareness and self-care are key. Some candidates and employees decide during the recruiting and probationary periods that this work isn’t for them, and that is totally fair. We will provide more information on vicarious trauma during recruiting and on-boarding, to help you decide if Covenant House is the place for you.

The Impact a Youth Worker in the Rights of Passage Program can make

Your primary role as a youth worker is to provide youth with safe, affordable housing and support while they transition to independent living. Working in the Right’s of Passage Program, you will offer support to youth residing in their private apartments. You will support youth with life skills, support them to maintain employment and/or develop an education plan. You will also celebrate the youth with their achievements!

How you will contribute

• Greet and welcome youth accessing CHV services, assess and respond to their immediate needs, and provide them with practical resources including food, clothing, transportation
• Initiate, develop and maintain relationships with at risk youth 16-24 years of age
• Upon entry to the Program, introduce the services provided, orient new youth, complete program intake/admission
• Work collaboratively with other staff to assist youth in identifying attainable short and long-term goals, strategies for meeting these goals, and an action plan for implementation
• Assist youth with accessing external community supports and accompany them if needed
• Support youth with Life Skills, including cooking, money management, self-care and goal setting
• Respond to any emergencies or potential behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use concerns using trauma-informed practice
• Provide crisis intervention, including responding to overdoes/administering first aid and Naloxone that may happen within CHV premises, ongoing training will also be provided
• Manage youth case files, including all relevant reporting and documentation
• Attend all training as directed by your manager
• Clean, search, and remake resident rooms at discharge
• Laundry as needed
• Front Desk and reception duties as required
• Other duties as required

Education and Experience

• Diploma or degree related to social service and experience in a similar role is an asset
• Or, minimum two years full-time experience in a similar role
• First Aid & Non-Violent Crisis Intervention is an asset

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Familiar with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
• Ability to work with youth experiencing complex mental health challenges
• Familiarity with substance misuse
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth
• Basic computer skills
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs, and kneel and squat as needed

Additional Position Information

• The schedule is as follows: ROP Fr-Su 8:30a - 8:30p
• 72hrs Breaks: Paid and on-site
• The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $23.92 and $29.90 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $35.88.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

In 2024, we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions. CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace.

We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to: Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities; Persons who identify as women; Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and Indigenous persons. We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

Culture & Benefits

Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. Covenant House Vancouver is a non-profit organization that supports young people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, human trafficking, and youth in need. We offer a continuum of care, providing housing and wraparound supports. We are a diverse team dedicated to ending youth homelessness. Make a difference with us and embark on a fulfilling career. We strive for employees to feel appreciated, supported, and empowered. Our culture is built around absolute respect, courage, integrity, equity, and inclusivity. We create an engaging work environment where employees can thrive, resulting in the best care for the youth we serve.