Child & Youth Worker

Matomai'tsitapisskoyis (First Indigenous Lodge)

About Us: Closer to Home Community Services (CTH) is a charitable organization located in Calgary, AB since 1995. CTH provides a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of children, youth and families.

About the Position: With guidance from Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous Staff, this community group care program is designed specifically for Indigenous children who choose this as an optimal placement for themselves. The Child & Youth Worker will work with a team of professionals to support Indigenous children and youth in a culturally safe and immersive home. Your primary responsibility as a Child & Youth Worker is to facilitate success for children and youth by:

• Facilitating success for children and youth by assisting with day to day activities and routines, maintaining a structured setting, fostering skill development, managing crisis, ensuring high levels of supervision to promote safety, and assisting with school.
• Ensuring safety and providing for children and youth's daily needs, while supporting the acquisition of relevant skills which will support them to live safely and thrive in the community.
• Participating in supervision and meetings as needed, and implement pre-determined treatment strategies.
  

Why Join Us:

CTH is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all; including different cultural backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, and sexual and gender diversities. We strive to be an employer of choice with a focus on wellness and connection.

• Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance
• Extended Health & Dental Coverage
• Additional Health Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Days
• RRSP Matching
• Company Events
• Training and professional development

Responsibilities:

• Assisting with day to day activities and routines, visits and appointments
• Implementing skill development strategies, managing crises and assisting with school difficulties
• Focusing on interconnectedness, including family kinship, academics, recreation and community inclusion
• Supporting children and youth with strategies to enhance their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, and to increase their sense of belonging
• Completing day to day household tasks such as cooking, cleaning and other duties as required
• Transporting youth to and from school, appointments or visits

Qualifications:

• A diploma or degree in a related field is preferred and previous experience working with vulnerable children and families is an asset; a combination of education and experience will be considered
• Experience working in Community Group Care or other “in-care” programs (preferred)
• Experience providing trauma-informed, family-sensitive and culturally responsive care
• Willing to work an unstructured work week, including days, evenings, weekends and holidays
• A valid Alberta Driver's License, reliable vehicle for work purposes, adequate and current insurance and willing to provide a Driver's Abstract upon hire.
• A Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search and an Intervention Record Check must be completed prior to commencement.
• Ability to manage a crisis situation in a therapeutic manner, and, if necessary, intervene physically in a manner that reduces the risk of harm.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with and relate to people of all ages
• Detail oriented and organized, able to manage multiple priorities at the same time
• Eager to learn and carry out the principles and philosophy of Closer to Home and the Teaching Family Model
• Compassionate individual with a positive, empathetic and relational approach

Required Competencies: All positions at Closer to Home Community Services require (5) competencies: Instills Trust, Person Focus, Communicates Effectively, Situational Adaptability and Ensures Accountability.

Closing Date: Until suitable candidates are found

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For more information on our organization, please visit our website at www.closertohome.com.

Other titles for this role: Child & Youth Counselor, Community service worker, Group home worker, Youth worker, Residential counselor.

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), which is comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and Amskapi Piikani Nations, and the shared territories of the Tsuut'ina Nation and Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, all of whom are the original signatories of the Blackfoot Treaty #7 in Southern Alberta. We also recognize Mohkinstsis (Calgary) as a home to members of the