THE POSITION:

We are looking for a temporary Weekend Child and Youth Care Counsellor for a 12 month contract. The position would be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.
Reporting to the Program Coordinator, our Child and Youth Care Counsellors are members of an interdisciplinary team which assesses, plans, implements and evaluates the treatment program(s) for youth. The Counsellor participates in all facets of program life and is responsible for our youths’ daily care, treatment, health, nurturance, and supervision.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Educational background in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and/or other relevant fields.
• Minimum 21 years of age (due to agency insurance requirements for driving).
• Experience in Therapeutic Campus-Based Care treatment (preferred).
• High level of personal competence in the formation and maintenance of caring and therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to engage children, youth and families in the treatment process.
• Demonstrated interest, commitment, consistency, and a high level of personal maturity and responsibility.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Cross cultural competence; knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the recommendations, goals and activities of the commission.
• A Police Information Check, which includes a vulnerable sector search, is required (or is in process of being completed) prior to employment.
• A Child Intervention Record Check is required upon commencement of employment.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and ability to drive Agency vehicles is preferred (min. 3 years driving experience with a class 5/GDL class 5 license).
• Completion of ASIST, First Aid and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention would be considered an asset.

• Attend to the physical safety, esteem and developmental needs of our young people.
• Supervise, organize and implement daily living activities as well as recreational activities and see these as opportunities for educational and therapeutic interventions.
• Use routines and activities to give children and youth security and enable them to relate to others in socially acceptable ways; help the youth understand the need for routines and procedures.
• Provide meaningful and responsible role modelling, as well as direct teaching in areas of grooming, hygiene, dress, nutrition and social manners.
• Identify and act on goal-related teaching opportunities; use systematic plans of instruction, appropriate teaching methods and approaches to transfer information and skills.
• Select and make appropriate use of behavioural interventions and strategies.
• Communicate rules and behavioural limits and follow through on appropriate behavioural interventions.
• Improve the quality of life for our young people by attending to their physical environment.
• Monitor and work directly with youth in all aspects of their lives, i.e., liaise with parents and community groups.
• Promote and safeguard the rights, interests and treatment of the people we serve by interceding on their behalf.
• Act as an avenue of recourse or grievance for the youth and represent his/her interests.
• In working with children, youth, parents/guardians, co-workers, other professionals and the public, demonstrate appropriate conduct in terms of behaviour, appearance, and presentation and adhere to Agency expectations with regard to confidentiality.
• Attend to team responsibilities in terms of participation, communication, and demonstrating a positive attitude.
• Model socially acceptable values, e.g., integrity, fairness, and respect.
• Participate in professional development activities.