Youth Care Worker

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

• POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:
• The Youth Care Worker provides supervision of residents and maintains the safety and security of the facility
• and everyone living in it. They support the team and ensure operations are efficient, safe, and secure. The
• Youth Care Worker shall ensure residents safety while interacting in a positive, supportive manner. They
• will be involved with youth in the establishment and maintenance of a therapeutic relationship and the care
• plan process with the goal of facilitating the youth’s return to a community setting.
• ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• 1. Resident Care and Support:
•  Actively supervises residents in the facility and in the community as required in a lawful, safe, and
• expedient manner.
•  Monitors the activities of the youth and maintain availability for personal, practical, and moral
• support.
•  Develops and maintains a strong therapeutic relationship with youth that facilitates effective
• intervention.
• The Salvation Army – Canada and Bermuda Territory
• Job Description
• 2
•  Plans, implements, monitors, and participates in group activities, including life-skills training
• modules and social recreational programming.
•  Engages in all aspects of programming including sports and recreational activities (eg. Swimming,
• basketball, soccer, hiking, cleaning, crafts, etc.)
•  Utilizes the environment (milieu) in assessing, teaching, and supporting residents around issues
• such as problem-solving and conflict resolution.
•  Adopts age-appropriate “parental role” with the youth in the areas of basic daily living skills and
• routines, a supportive and encouraging attitude, and proper limit setting.
•  Participates in development and implementation of case plans.
•  Reports to Caseworker client progress, changes and/or regression in the client’s status.
•  Completes duties, reports, and logs as per shift description.
•  Deals with interpersonal relationships within Gemma House in a therapeutic manner.
•  Refers clients to outside resources and counseling when needed. Encourages residents to develop
• family and community-based support networks, in conjunction with the Case Management
• Supervisor, which may continue to be accessed upon discharge from Gemma House.
•  Follows policies and procedures of Gemma House, The Salvation Army, and the Ministry of Children,
• Community and Social Services.
• 2. Health & Safety:
•  Assumes delegated responsibility for the facility when assigned.
•  Maintains the safety and security needs of the residents through engagement, supervision, and
• monitoring.
•  Deals with serious incidents and crisis in a safe and therapeutic manner. Communicate and
• enforce facility rules while maintaining discipline and safety.
•  Supervises the delivery of medication and ensures residents are provided with appropriate medical
• attention as required.
•  Maintains a high level of client care and completes duties in the facility such as housekeeping,
• preparing and serving meals, cleanliness of vehicles, etc.
•  Participates as an active member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee.
• 3. Communication and Reporting:
•  Completes all documentation in regard to client safety, incident reports, fire safety and other
• serious incidents.
•  Documents daily events, progress towards goals, and any significant occurrences.
•  Maintains strictest confidentiality regarding the residents, their issues, and their concerns.
• 4. Team Participation
•  Participates in all team meetings.
•  Presents concerns, questions, and issues in prescribed forums
•  Works co-operatively as a team member and provides a co-ordinated and consistent approach to
• residents.
•  Provides input into decisions regarding admissions and discharges from the program.
•  Participates as required in the evaluation and goal-setting processes of the organization.
•  Other related duties as assigned.
• CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
• Governance Boards and Councils: None
• Internal:
•  Program Director
•  Case Management Supervisor – Gemma House
•  Residents
• The Salvation Army – Canada and Bermuda Territory
• Job Description
• 3
•  Staff
• External:
•  Ministry of Social Services
•  Community Partners
•  Schools, Health Professionals
• MANAGERIAL/TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:
•  Reports directly to: Program Director.
•  Direct reports for this position: None.
• FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:
•  Responsible for the safekeeping of materials and equipment for own use.
•  Does not process any financial transactions
• WORKING CONDITIONS
•  Work setting is at Gemma House which is a Residential group home.
•  Regular travel to and from scheduled and unscheduled appointments (20% travel). Travel with
• youth to participate in programming.
•  Some unscheduled overtime maybe associated with this position.
•  Works rotational shifts.
•  The incumbent will/may work under the following disagreeable conditions:
• o dealing with angry and highly emotional residents and their families. May encounter verbal
• abuse.
• o May be required to perform emergency physical restraints on residents who present a risk of
• harm to themselves or others.
• o May involve bending, stretching, reaching, and climbing
• o Minimal opportunities for rest breaks may occur during the shift.
• o Driving program van/vehicle under stressful and less than ideal circumstances.
• o May involve sitting, standing, walking for long periods of time.
• o Exposure to both hot and cold outdoor environments when doing programming with youth.
• o Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
• The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and
• Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.
• EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:
• Education, Qualifications and Certifications:
•  Completion of a formal post-secondary/college diploma program of 2 academic years in Social
• Service Work, and/or Childcare.
•  CPR First Aid (C)Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certicate or willingness to obtain.
•  Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Certificate – training will be provided if necessary
•  Current Drivers licence and driving abstract
•  ASIST
•  Food Handling Certificate
•  Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements
•  More than 1 year of prior related experience in a residential setting working with marginalized
• clientele.
• The Salvation Army – Canada and Bermuda Territory
• Job Description
• 4
•  Experience working with youth is preferred.
•  Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model
•  Develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada
• and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
•  Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office, internet, and keyboarding
• Skills and Capabilities:
•  Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of
• fairness and flexibility.
•  Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.
•  Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills – clear and simple to understand.
•  Able to proactively recognize potential risks, conflicts, and issues, respond with solutions and
• coaching.
•  Atte