Youth Outreach Worker - Mobile Crisis Response

at  Interior Community Services

PROGRAM: Youth Outreach - Mobile Crisis Response Team
LOCATION: Kamloops, BC
STATUS: Full-Time
HOURS of WORK: 40 hours per week
SCHEDULE: Tuesday to Saturday. Day and Evening schedules alternating weekly, between:
Week 1: 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Week 2: 4:00 pm-12:00 am
REPORTS TO: Youth Outreach Program Coordinator
COMPENSATION: $29.17 - $33.49 per hour (Grid 12 as per collective agreement)
CLOSING DATE: Open until suitable candidate is found.

BOUT THE JOB

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Youth Outreach Worker to join our Mobile Crisis Response Team as part of an exciting partnership project between Interior Community Services and the City of Kamloops.
As the Youth Outreach Worker, you will collaborate with the Community Service Officers (CSO) from the City to support street-entrenched youth who might be in crisis situations, such as mental health or substance use crises, with the aim of diverting these crises away from law enforcement involvement.
Your efforts will significantly contribute to improving response time and enhancing referral-making to essential supports and services for youth aged 13-24 in vulnerable circumstances in the Kamloops area.
What a Day Looks Like

Your days will be dynamic and varied, reflecting the immediate needs of the youth and the crisis response team. Here’s a glimpse of what your day could entail:

• Crisis Intervention: Responding to crisis calls involving youth in distress due to mental health or substance abuse issues. Your crisis intervention skills will be pivotal in de-escalating situations and ensuring the safety of the youth.
• Outreach: Conducting street outreach to connect with the youth in the community. Building relationships and trust through active engagement.
• Assessment and Referral: Meeting with youth to assess their needs, strengths, and challenges. Co-developing personalized safety plans and making referrals to appropriate support services, such as mental health professionals, substance abuse programs, and shelters.
• Collaboration: Collaborating closely with fellow team members, including the CSOs, social workers, health workers, and other community professionals to ensure a coordinated and holistic response to crises. Participating in meetings and sharing insights to inform decision-making.
• Documentation: Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case notes, records, and reports of your interactions and interventions. This documentation is essential for tracking progress and evaluating the effectiveness of crisis interventions.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Degree (Preferred) or Diploma in Human Services or related field including Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Community Support, Psychology, etc.
• Two years of related experience working in an outreach and crisis response capacity with youth facing multiple barriers.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, and ABILITIES

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE AND STRONG ABILITIES TO:

• Build healthy, trusting relationships with all involved parties, including the individual, community professionals, and colleagues
• Respond appropriately to challenging behaviours, crisis situations, and aggression
• Practice from trauma-informed and cultural safety lenses while supporting youth who have experienced adverse childhood experiences
• Support youth with substance use, mental health, and emotional regulation issues, provide information, and make referrals to community resources
• Provide assessment and implement intervention strategies to assist youth in creating positive change
• Follow directions and implement strong critical and analytical thinking in the work, applying appropriate policies and procedures
• Manage conflict effectively, use mediation and facilitation methods
• Provide clear, accurate, and timely written documentation
• Organize workload effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment

REQUIREMENTS

• A valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence
• Own reliable vehicle insured with Business Use/ $5 Million liability. (reimbursement is provided).
• Consent to Criminal Record Check. (Reimbursement with a receipt upon hire)
• This position requires Union membership and 1.85% union dues are deducted from each pay.
• Flexible availability to work evenings or weekends
• Following training is required and provided to the successful candidate free of charge. Existing certification is an asset: Emergency First Aid with CPR-C, Mandt (2 days), Naloxone, SafeTALK, Privacy and Information Sharing, Anti-Bullying, and Harassment.
• Physical requirements of the job include traveling within the city either as the driver or the passenger of a vehicle, walking and standing for the majority of the day, being exposed to various weather conditions while working outdoors.

Please refer the Job description for details