Youth Support Worker - Crime Prevention Program

Reports To: Director of Community programs

Pay Grid: Level 2 - $21-$24/hr

Department: Community

Hours: Permanent, Full-time - 37.5hrs/week

Our Culture

YMCA of Southeastern Alberta strives to integrate our commitment to diversity and social inclusion in all that we do. We believe that strong leadership is created through the sharing of diverse experiences and perspectives. We actively seek candidates who embody these principles and who reflect the many dimensions of the communities we serve. We are a charitable organization that provides health and fitness opportunities, employment services, licensed childcare, and various community programs in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and Brooks. When you work at the YMCA, you’ll play an important part in building strong, thriving communities while positively impacting people’s lives. Join our team at the Y, a place where everyone belongs — including you!

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day, demonstrating our values in action.

We do the right thing.

We are caring, respectful, honest, and responsible in all that we do.

We put people first.

We believe in each other – honouring our strengths, diversity, perspectives, and passions.

We keep our promises.

We do what we say we will do.

We lead by example.

We are courageous, speaking with conviction and always willing to listen and collaborate.

What qualifications are we looking for?

At the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta, we strive to ensure our employees are a good fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.

Education/Certifications/Credentials/Professional Registration

• Post-secondary diploma/degree in Criminal Justice, Child and Youth Care Counselling, Social Work, Social Services, or equivalent education/experience
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health First Aid, and Suicide Intervention certifications preferred
• Annual registration in a professional organization as required by the governing body
• Standard First Aid, CPR-Level C
• Evidence of a clear Police Information Check (with Vulnerable Sector Search if applicable), within the last six months
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a class 07 automobile insurance coverage business use (or pleasure with occasional business use) and a minimum of $2,000,000 in liability coverage
• Child Intervention Check

Knowledge & Skills

• Working knowledge in culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practice and strength-based approach
• Ability to act professionally in all situations, representing the YMCA according to its core values
• 1 year experience in client intake and assessment, case management, and workshop facilitation
• Working knowledge of issues/practices related to the social determinants of health, youth development, individual assessment, case management, group work/facilitation, program planning and outcome evaluation
• Able to deal with difficult situations and complaints with confidence
• Excellent customer service, organization and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to direct personal performance to achieve desired results without constant direct supervision
• Knowledge of Healthy Childhood Development
• Ability to plan, organize and implement daily programming
• Ability to actively participate in a variety of physical activities with the youth

What does this role look like at the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta?

Reporting to the Director of Community Services, the Youth Support Worker - Crime Prevention Program provides support to youth by focusing on the direct delivery of crime prevention services and supports.

Customer Service

• Attend all YMCA staff meetings and training as required
• Participate in community agencies/committees/counsels to support our program objectives
• Provide support to youth as they participate in community programs/activities
• Provide excellent communication and customer service to parents, guardians, stakeholders and the community
• Support youth in connecting to formalized supports to address needs
• Transport participants to and from program activities

YMCA Values

• Demonstrate and promote a personal understanding of and appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the YMCA and its programs and services
• Demonstrates appropriate behaviors in line with our Mission, Vision and Values as reflected in our YMCA competencies; takes a member focused approach to increase their understanding of programs offered across the Association.

Teamwork

• Work effectively within the Community team, contributing to its overall success by:
• Promoting the YMCA’s annual Y Connect Campaign
• Promoting and/or attending YMCA events
• Contributing to a positive and healthy workplace culture
• Other duties to assist the team, as assigned
• Support other community programs as needed through the Youth Worker role

Standards that Shine

• Achieve all quality standards and targets established under YMCA best practices and the YMCA’s Standards that Shine
• General cleaning as required around the facility
• Ensuring all staff are aware of Standards that Shine, and work with them to create a culture of excellence in adherence to guidelines and expectations outlined by the Standards that Shine.

Interpersonal/Communication Skills

• Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, managers, and the senior leadership team
• Ensure workplace conflicts are resolved quickly, following YMCA policies and procedures
• Ensuring communication with caregivers/guardians is ongoing and strengths-based
• Communicate effectively and professional with all families, children, schools staff, YMCA staff and the community
• Consult with Director of Community to regularly reflect on, and improve, service delivery

Quality of Work

• Ensure the use of Healthy Child Development concepts in program planning
• Meet the unique needs of each youth using the strategies, skills, and knowledge learned through training
• Collect monthly stats and submit monthly reports and stats to Director of Community Programs
• Seek out professional development opportunities
• Respond to behavioral issues in a way consistent with the YMCA values and training to support youth’s success
• Support youth who have experienced trauma/adverse childhood experiences to develop emotional regulation skills, pro-social skills and problem-solving skills
• Support creative problem solving and the creation of robust strategies that support the youth to be successful while engaging in activities
• Support the youth in the community to be successful by modeling pro-social skills and behavior while engaging in activities
• Understand healthy child development, and use this knowledge to plan activities to meet the developmental needs of the youth
• Engage with the youth to develop healthy relationships while supporting the development of pro-social skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, dramatic play, etc.
• Always provide a safe and positive environment for all youth which supports their development and ability to grow
• Facilitate and engage youth in planned activities during program operations
• Ensure the program space is set up in a way that supports supervision and trauma informed practices, while remaining clutter free and safe for the youth
• Network/advocate for youth to be set up with formalized supports

Compliance with Legislation and YMCA Policies and Procedure

• YMCA Child Protection and Operational Policies and Procedures
• Public health and safety regulations
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Report all critical incidents immediately to Director of Community

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work in loud noisy environment
• May be going from standing to seating positions, from standing to kneeling positions, from kneeling to standing positions, from seating to standing positions for most of the working day, there will be walking throughout the day
• May lift or move items up to 40 pounds
• May be exposed to all weather conditions while working outside
• May be exposed to verbal/physical abuse from external/internal participants
• May be exposed to children or adults who are not vaccinated

The Benefits to Joining our Team

• Paid wellness days after 3-month probationary period
• Paid Birthday and Employment Anniversary Date
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Health Plus Membership with 15% discount for family members

Please Apply

With a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references (email addresses and phone numbers) who can attest to your character and previous work and/or volunteer performance.

Becky Verishine, Director of Community Programs

YMCA of Southeastern Alberta

525 2nd St SE

[email protected]