Part-time Youth Worker

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