Part-time Youth Worker

Old Strathcona Youth Society is an equal-opportunity employer. We value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. OSYS welcomes applications from First Nation, Inuit, Métis, New Canadian, differently abled, and LGBTQ2S communities.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:

The Old Strathcona Youth Society is a non-profit low-barrier drop-in center that supports unhoused and vulnerable youth between the ages of 14 and 24. For the past 25 years, OSYS has supported Edmonton youth by providing non-judgmental, trauma-informed access to basic needs items, services, and referrals. Taking a relationship-based approach to providing care, the OSYS team believes that healthy communities start with healthy, meaningful connections. With this in mind, OSYS is committed to ensuring that the center is a place where youth feel safe and supported.

ROLE: The Part-Time Youth Worker is responsible for providing front-line and outreach services to the youth at the OSYS as required.

CLOSING DATE: Will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

START DATE: Immediately

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build trusting, supportive relationships with the youth at OSYS based on a strength-based and client-centred model.
• Supervision of daily drop-in activities
• Provide support to youth at OSYS through program delivery and advocacy.
• Utilize a harm reduction philosophy in all youth interactions.
• Assess youths’ needs in order to provide assistance, support, and advocacy.
• Maintain a working knowledge of relevant community resources and maintain strong and positive relationships with referral sources.
• Actively create network connections within the community to build partnerships that bring clients closer to needed resources.
• Refer youth to outside service providers to ensure a social continuity of care.
• Aid youth in creating an appropriate service team to help meet their needs.
• Research and implement best practices developed by other agencies in delivering outreach services, drug awareness, and health and wellness programs.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation regarding all interactions with clients.
• Serve as a strong advocate on behalf of OSYS and its youth.
• Participate in all fundraising activities as a representative and advocate of OSYS.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Ability to demonstrate professionalism in the conduct of all activities.
• Demonstrates ability to develop positive, effective, professional rapport and relationship with youth
• Comfortable providing supportive feedback and having difficult conversations with youth
• Skilled in de-escalation and crisis intervention
• Demonstrates knowledge of local issues that pertain to youth, including trauma, poverty, homelessness, and addiction, and the unique systemic barriers Indigenous youth face
• Demonstrates ability to work collaboratively with community agencies
• Strong advocacy skills
• Collaborative team member
• Concise and effective communication, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, excellent time management and organizational skills
• Resiliency and creative problem-solving
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings as required.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Suite and Teams.
• Knowledge and experience in Canva, Adobe Acrobat, and Monday.com is an asset

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER YOU

• The opportunity to work with a non-profit youth-empowering organization
• Helping to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable youth
• Personal development
• Competitive compensation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Requires a clear Criminal & Vulnerable Sector Record Check and Child Intervention Checks (results will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than a current employer
• Must have a minimum of 18 available working hours per week. Our available hours are Tuesday to Saturday between 9:30 am and 6:00 pm.
• Must be able to provide three references, with one of the references coming from a past supervisor