Be the best YOU!
Being a part of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) means you have a shared passion for supporting youth in reaching their full potential. YOU is a place where your unique background, perspectives, and talents are valued, and help innovate new program ideas to best support youth in our community.
You can make your impact here! Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where the work you do is truly valued. You will have the freedom to excel in your way by serving young people and knowing you are making a difference for our community.
Come be a part of a team that works alongside youth as they work on goals and be there to celebrate when they achieve those milestones. Help us continue creating a community where youth are embraced and will thrive.
Reporting to the Youth Shelter Team Leader, the Youth Development Counsellor, is a community-based outreach position, providing support to youth who are having difficulty accessing supports and resources in the community. This position is expected to take an active role in developing community supports in London and Middlesex, including for youth transitioning out CAS care, or identified as experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. The Youth Development Counsellor develops support plans with youth, assists youth in accessing resources, monitors the youth’s achievement of goals and evaluates the success of the support plans in order to create positive and sustainable outcomes. Qualified candidates possess exceptional leadership and community development skills, effective youth engagement strategies and work well in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment and hold values that support our corporate vision of being “A community where youth are embraced and will thrive”.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Administering assessments to youth (e.g. TAY-VI-SPDAT) and initiating participant’s plans as soon as possible (e.g. diversion, family reconnection, rapid rehousing, or shelter intake, etc.).
Mentoring youth with complex needs, including youth who may have recently exited shelter, and who require ongoing supports in the community not limited to: health, housing, employment, education, financial literacy, relationships
Providing case management and service coordination for youth participants with complex needs within a housing first for youth framework including positive youth development and youth engagement
Using motivational interviewing skills and assertive objective-based interactions to guide participants in establishing achievable goal-oriented action plans relating to health, housing, employment, education, financial literacy, relationships
Delivering appropriate outreach, crisis intervention and harm reduction strategies for youth
Working collaboratively with a team of staff within a multi-service youth organization
Creating and maintaining detailed records and reporting through a case management model
Ensuring all screening, intake, interventions, exits and follow-up procedures are maintained
Providing YOU representation to relevant community networks, coalitions and events as required
Working collaboratively with community partners and referring agencies
Qualifications:
University Degree or minimum 2-year College Diploma in human /social services from an accredited institution
3-5 years of experience in working with youth and extensive knowledge of local community-based programs
Previous experience in case management and service coordination
Excellent communication – written and oral competencies
Strong interpersonal abilities and proven youth engagement strategies
Flexibility, creativity and initiative are essential
Ability to work various shifts and flexible hours; including days, evenings and weekends
First Aid /CPR certification required, Suicide Prevention, Crisis Intervention and Prevention Training (PMAB or CPI) is an asset
Proficiency working with Housing First approaches, specific to proving in-home support
Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, meeting targets and deadlines
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including SharePoint, Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint
Valid Ontario driver’s license; ability to travel throughout London & Middlesex
Working knowledge of Webtracker and HIFIS is an asset
Proficiency in French language an asset