Youth Worker - Sanctuary

Covenant House Vancouver; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Training and career advancement

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Covenant House Vancouver is hiring for the Sanctuary Program, a low barrier, trauma‑informed youth service. You will engage young people, assess needs, and connect them with food, clothing, and housing supports in a safe, non‑judgemental environment.

The role emphasizes crisis response, overdose intervention, documentation, and collaborative case management with youth aged 16–24 to reduce homelessness and support wellbeing.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience working with at-risk youth or homelessness.
• Able to manage crisis situations and de-escalate conflicts.

Responsibilities

• Greet and engage youth accessing CHV services and assess immediate needs.
• Build relationships with youth aged 16–24 in the Sanctuary program.
• Complete program intake/admission and orient new youth to services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Situational awareness

Education

Diploma or degree in related social service

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 the Youth Worker in the Sanctuary Program can make

The Sanctuary program is an enhanced low barrier 28 bed program, supporting youth with significant substance use and mental health concerns. You will demonstrate absolute respect to youth that will allow them to know their worth. This program is a low barrier, safe, and non‑judgemental environment where youth are supported to address every aspect of wellbeing – health, emotional, and spiritual. You will provide services from an attachment‑based and trauma‑informed model of care proven to support youth at greatest risk in our community. You will have the opportunity to build transformative relationships with youth and reduce the risks of street homelessness and drug use. Through relentless engagement, the CHV continuum of care will expand to connect with youth where they are at because we feel it should be "one size fits one" when it comes to supporting young people.

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, and 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
• Assist clients in exiting street life, maintaining independence, or accessing supports to have their needs met
• Work with youth to address their needs and goals
• Accompany youth to scheduled appointments and support youth in crisis
• Supporting youth with addictions, mental health and behavior management issues and referring to specialist agencies where needed
• Provide crisis intervention, including responding to overdose/administering first aid and Naloxone that may happen within CHV premises, ongoing training will also be provided
• Document client notes in ETO, write Incident Reports, and other routine documentation as required
• Manage youth case files, including all relevant reporting and documentation
• Coordinate youth meetings and activities, including recreation and life skills
• Attend all training as directed by your Team Leader
• Clean, search, and remake youth rooms at discharge
• Laundry as needed
• Other duties as required

Who are we looking for?

Education and Experience: Diploma or degree in related social service and a minimum one year in a low barrier, harm reduction setting, or Minimum 3 year’s full‑time working experience in a similar low barrier role. Experience with the challenges facing youth who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. First Aid & Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention is an asset.

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Familiarity with at risk youth and youth homelessness
• Work cooperatively and effectively with others to reach a common goal
• Strong situational awareness and ability to manage critical incidents
• Ability to work with youth experiencing complex mental health challenges
• Ability to adapt decision making based on circumstances or when presented with unclear information
• Familiarity with issues related to substance use and Harm Reduction principles and practices
• Familiarity with Indigenous Cultural Safety
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with the Youth
• Basic computer skills
• Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs, and kneel and squat as needed

Additional Position Information

The schedule is as follows:

Sanctuary F-Su O/N 8p - 8a 72hrs

Shift Type: Overnight awake shift

Breaks: Paid and on‑site

The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $25.35 and $31.69 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 $38.03.

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.

Our culture and benefits

Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. 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.