Community Support Worker - Supported Employment

Laing House is an innovative, peer support organization for youth with mental illness, where members can embrace their unique gifts and find their way in a caring and supportive environment. Laing House is community-based, youth-focused and youth-directed, providing critical support that is not available through the formal health care system.  Staff meet members  where they are at, and work together to meet goals around returning to school, seeking employment, re-establishing a peer group, making healthy lifestyle choices and living independently.

We are seeking a highly motivated self starter, who thrives in a vibrant environment, to join our team. As a Community Support Worker you will work with our team and the larger community to engage young adults with mental illness as people with dignity and competence, collaborating with youth to design, deliver and evaluate programs and supports. In your role facilitating our Supported Employment Program, you will assist youth with all aspects of their employment related-goals.

Qualifications:

• Related post-secondary education, accompanied by at least 3 years of experience working with youth.
• Experience with employment counseling, career planning and related services
• Knowledge of issues facing youth living with mental illness
• Familiarity with community based services available for youth
• Familiarity with mental health services
• Experience with program development, facilitation and evaluation
• Demonstrated skill in meaningful and therapeutic youth engagement
• Ability to work in an unstructured environment; comfortable with ambiguity

This is a full time permanent position. Current certification in First Aid, and CPR is required as well as a Criminal Record Check.

Laing House is located on south Barrington Street in Halifax. We offer a generous vacation package, benefits, and a friendly, supportive environment. To learn more about Laing House, please visit our website: www.lainghouse.org

We thank all candidates in advance, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. Closing date is Monday, November 23rd, 2009.

Cover letters and resumes can be sent to:

Judy Bell
Director of Programming
Laing House
1225 Barrington Street
Halifax, NS B3J 1Y2

Email: jbell@lainghouse.org

No phone calls please.

Fax: 902-422-6943

Please quote competition number CSW1106-CB when applying.