Indigenous Community Youth Worker

Requisition ID: 40556 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world. Named among Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Indigenous Community Youth Worker (ICYW) is responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, promoting and implementing community-based youth services with a focus on local Indigenous communities and cultures in partnership with site programming staff, partners and community members. The ICYW is aware of and understands the implications of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action and the British Columbia Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

ICYWs focus on two main activities in youth work: Youth Development (direct work with youth and their families) and Community Outreach/Development (working with the community, community programs and services on youth issues and interests). In addition, organizationally, ICYWs have a supervisory and administrative function. Each of the main activities has a series of components.

An ICYW exercises independent judgement on coordination and implementation of approved youth activities and the provision of guidance and resource referral services. Difficult or unusual problems are discussed with a supervisor. The development of new programs and services by the ICYW occurs in consultation with the community and programming staff as needed, and with the final approval by the Centre Supervisor and the Community Youth Development Coordinator.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Indigenous Community Youth Worker provides guidance and support to young people on social and recreation opportunities and provides referrals to other support services. The ICYW oversees staffing and programs for the Britannia Teen Centre, providing leadership and coordination for the youth team staffing the facility. The ICYW works with the Indigenous programing team and recreation staff to provide programming for the teen centre ensuring all programming facilitates and supports youth development needs and expectations.

Outreach work is delivered within a service-based framework to achieve outcomes consistent with the Vancouver Park Board’s Community Youth Development strategy. This position establishes ongoing influential relationships with youth (8 to 18 years of age) for the purpose of providing support and developing their leadership potential. The successful incumbent will also recruit, train and supervise auxiliary staff, temporary grant staff and volunteers.

The Community Youth Worker will evaluate, recommend and facilitate access to youth programs, services and opportunities for youth participation and engagement in the community centre, local schools, and in other outreach settings such as playgrounds and daycamps in the Grandview-Woodlands, Strathcona Community.

The successful incumbent will prepare reports and maintain records and required files, provide direct leadership in youth activities and outdoor excursions, and work cooperatively with a recreation team, volunteers and community members. The work involves considerable independent judgment, initiative and intervention skills and the ability to work in sometimes stressful and difficult conditions with a minimum of supervision.

The Community Youth Worker will be required to perform community development work in order to build working relationships and partnerships with local schools and other youth service providers and to deal with a wide variety of sensitive youth and family issues, including crisis situations and substance abuse, and the ability to refer young people and families seeking specialized support to counseling agencies.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary graduation from a recognized program in child and youth care, social services or a related discipline and  preferably with experience working with Indigenous cultures and considerable understanding of barriers to participation in education, recreation and social settings and/or completion of an approved diploma course in child and youth care and preferably with working knowledge related to the work
• Proven success working with Indigenous communities and strong relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Experience supporting young people through crisis, including those with mental health and substance use is desirable.
• Considerable knowledge of working with youth in care, youth and addictions, youth in the criminal justice and social welfare systems
• Experience empowering young people to have a voice in decision making is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of the philosophy and objectives of a planned youth community recreation and culture programs.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods, materials, equipment and practices involved in conducting community recreation and culture programs for youth.
• Considerable knowledge of how to establish and maintain rapport with youth in the community and work with youth to create youth leadership opportunities in a community centre setting.
• Considerable knowledge of the history and experience of Indigenous youth and their ancestors, including knowledge of Indigenous cultures and understanding of barriers to participation in education, recreation and social settings.
• Knowledge and understanding of the implications of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action and the British Columbia Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act as it related to youth work.
• Working knowledge of the fundamentals of Indigenous values and Indigenous principles in program leadership and recreational instruction.
• Working knowledge of standard casework techniques, Indigenous cultural principles and their application to behavioural, social and family issues related to youth.
• Working knowledge of the youth service agencies, Indigenous organizations and related resources in the community.
• Ability to identify, recommend and seek approval for youth recreation programs based on input from youth, demographic data and practice/theory based understandings of youth needs in their community.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with recreational personnel.
• Ability to recruit, instruct, supervise and direct the work of full-time and part-time group leaders, part-time staff and volunteers involved in youth recreation programs.
• Ability to develop rules and regulations collaboratively with youth, community members and institutions and dealing consistently and tactfully with groups or individuals to observe these rules and regulations.
• Ability to completing risk assessments on recreation programs for youth
• Ability to act as a resource person for youth by providing general guidance on a wide variety of topics and to advise on the availability and appropriateness of various youth serving agencies and community resources.
• Ability to maintain a variety of operating and administrative records, requisitions, materials and equipment within specified limits; ability to oversee the collection and record keeping of fees and expenditures.
• Ability to maintain statistical, financial and clerical records and write reports.
• Ability to maintain close working relationships with a wide variety of contacts including elders, parents, relatives, Indigenous communities and agencies engaged in youth services; supports the youth services hubs.
• Ability to advocate for youth in certain situations and assist in facilitating access to services and supports.
• Ability to instruct and participate in youth programs.
• Knowledge of trauma informed care and harm reduction principles and how they are applied is preferred
• Considerable knowledge of working with youth in care, youth and addictions, and youth in the criminal justice and social welfare systems is preferred
• A current and valid First Aid Certificate is preferred

The successful incumbent will be required to work afternoons, evenings and weekends on the basis of 35 hours per week. 2-3 evenings per week with occasional weekends days depending on operational programming needs.

Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous Ancestry.

A Police Record Check is a requirement of this position.  A clearance requires the absence of any criminal charges or convictions related to this position.

Drivers License and Record Checks

A class 4 license is preferred. Candidates must attach the following records and satisfy the City’s driving requirements to be considered for this role:

• Copy of your three-year ICBC Commercial Driver’s Abstract (N Print) directly from ICBC dated within 30 days of this posting
• Copy of your three-year ICBC Driver’s Claims History directly from ICBC within 30 days of this posting
• If you have less than three years driving experience in BC, a request must be made for out of province/country abstract and claims history

Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Parks 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: June, 2024 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-020: $35.72 to $42.04 per hour

Application Close: April 19, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.