Youth Justice Worker - Overnights

FERNIE YOUTH SERVICES

YOUTH JUSTICE WORKER, ISLAND ROAD PROGRAM - OVERNIGHTS

JOB POSTING

Seeking candidates driven by caring, purpose and making a difference in the lives of young people!

About Us:

Fernie Youth Services gives opportunities to young people that have been given up on, marginalized and excluded from opportunity. Guided by values of respect, integrity, compassion, and excellence we serve young people in and at risk of being in conflict with the law on a journey towards reintegration and purposeful living. Caring Beyond Reason is at the heart of our programs for young people and their families and at the heart of all we do. To date, Fernie has put over 6,000 young men and women on new paths to become contributing, law-abiding citizens.

What’s it like to work here?

Always going above and beyond, we give the next generation hope to become the best versions of themselves. That is us. An organization of diverse professionals focused on creating a feeling of hope and of purpose in the young persons we support. And we support each other, through learning, listening and support to develop a career of value and meaning, wherever you are on your career journey. And we have big plans! Journey of Hope, our 4-year strategic plan, is full of exciting new ideas to expand our reach – to reach more young people, in more communities, and in more ways – for the next 6,000 young people.

About the Role: Youth Justice Worker, Island Road Program

The Island Road Open Custody Program supports boys aged 12-18 during their time in the justice system through case management, education, health care and deep mentoring allowing them to successfully return to their communities, prepared for a more productive, safer way of life.

The YJW provides care, supervision and mentorship of clients in a community-based Youth Justice Residence at Fernie Youth Services. This work includes collaborating with Island Road and other Fernie Youth Services staff and key stakeholders to create a youth-centered, supportive and safe environment, in alignment with current legislation, agency policies, and youth case management goals.

The YJW is a key member of the Island Road program team, working with the entire Island Road team, under the direction of the Coordinator, Youth Justice Programs. This individual performs a variety of duties aimed at supporting the youth in the program to achieve personal growth and goal achievement, in terms of education, life and social skills, and other key pillars of Fernie Youth Services, all with the aim of successful community reintegration.

As a member of the Island Road Program team, the YJW will work collaboratively with not only Island Road staff, but also staff in other Fernie Youth Services Programs, like Youth Transition Services and Fernie Works, to support and mentor youth in achieving their overall case management goals. Additionally, this role will work with external stakeholders, for referrals, intake and other elements of case management, like Probation Officers, Ministry officials, teachers and educational staff, health care workers and others.

Key Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Provide mentoring, coaching and support; encourage positive, pro-social behavior; develop a meaningful and supportive relationship with participating youth, with appropriate boundaries.
• Create a safe, supportive and productive environment in the program.
• Listen and respond to youth needs, obstacles and interests.
• Deliver meaningful programming with youth, under the direction of the Coordinator, which may include athletic activities; recreational programming; life and social skills; informal individual and group counselling and mentoring.
• Supervise and participate in youth activities.
• Support youth in meaningful progress to achieve case management (CMP) goals.
• Collaborate and advocate with stakeholders and partners to support the youth plan;
• Understand the unique needs of youth-clients, each with different plans and goals.
• Complete CMP Reports as needed.
• Ensure that all scheduled appointments have been communicated and/or fulfilled.
• Demonstrate teamwork and team building within the Island Road program team.
• Model professionalism for youth clients, and as a representative of Fernie Youth Services with external stakeholders.
• Support new staff as they learn the program policies, scope, processes and procedures.
• Act as IC [in charge] staff when required.
• Attend court as may be needed from time to time with the youth in care.
• Liaise between family, community, police, ministry, schools, probation and other agencies.
• Record, maintain, and ensure data integrity within records, required paperwork and documentation.
• Ensure service files of persons served are organized and kept confidential.
• Health and Safety, Risk Management –

o Have an awareness of health and safety requirements for the program; comply with standards established for FYS and for the Program; escalate concerns and issues as needed with the Program Coordinator.

o Ensure house is safe and report to Coordinator, Residential Programs any serious compromise to the safety of the residents and the integrity of the program.

About You: Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Post-Secondary degree or diploma from an accredited college or university in social work, criminology or another relevant field.
• Minimum of 1 - 3 years of experience working in the social service field, working directly with at-risk youth and/or young persons in conflict with the law; preferred experience with employment programming and/or social enterprise work.
• Demonstrated experience with case management and mentoring of at-risk youth, including managing challenging behaviors. Must work in close contact with the clients; this may involve volatile situations leading to verbal and physical de-escalations and interventions.
• Understanding and experience working with individuals impacted by trauma; understanding and experience of underlying systemic barriers young people face; understanding and experience utilizing antiracism and anti-oppression lens.
• Demonstrate a level of sensitivity and understanding of the client population’s cultural and socio-economic characteristics.
• Detail oriented, with strong documentation and administration skills.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance and maintain a clean driving record. Ability to drive a van. Travel within the GTA is a requirement.
• Police Record Check with vulnerable sector and broad record screening.
• Able to work daytime, afternoon, evening and weekend shifts as required.
• Competence, leadership and sound decision making are essential to ensure the safety of the clients, the staff and the community.
• Proficient use of technology to support case management, documentation and reporting.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidelines, including but not limited to: Youth Criminal Justice Act, Child Youth & Family Services Act, Education Act, Ontario including ECPP programs.
• Must work in close contact with the clients; this may involve volatile situations leading to verbal and physical de-escalations and interventions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of adolescent behavior and ability to manage these behaviors.
• Current Certifications in: MCCSS Approved Crisis Intervention Training, Suicide Prevention and

Intervention, First Aid and CPR: Emergency Level, Cultural Competency Training focused on First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, heritages, traditions, connections to community and concept of extended family, as well as with respect to Black/ African Canadian and other racialized populations.

• Therapeutic Relationship Building skills and techniques.
• An understanding of Trauma Informed Care approaches and practices
• Ability to implement a strength-based relationship approach to youth work.

Salary

$23.46 per hour