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
