Job Title Residential Worker
Department Residential Services
Location Whitby or Oshawa
Posting Start Date April 30, 2024
Posting End Date May 17, 2024
Employment Group CUPE 2936.13, Full time permanent position
Salary Grid Rate $23.32 per hour
Standard Weekly Hours of Work 35
Shift Work Required Yes – Afternoons, evenings and days (during the summer months) (8 and 12 hour shifts)
Work Environment Residential
Additional Benefits Health, Dental, Life, LTD, AD&D, EAP, Accident, RRSP
John Howard Society of Durham Region Mission Statement:
To reduce the impact of crime and its causes by providing a spectrum of effective prevention and intervention programs.
Position Summary
The Residential Counsellor plays a crucial role in supporting male youth aged 15 to 18 years in the Whitby Residential Program. This program is designed to provide a safe, structured, and supportive environment for young individuals who are motivated to make constructive changes in their lives. The Worker assists youth in developing essential life skills to live independently in the community.
Key Features
The Whitby Program has several key features that contribute to the effectiveness and success of the programs and supports youth in developing the skills and confidence needed to live independently and successfully in the community.
- Safe and Supportive Environment: Offers a stable, structured living space for youth.
- Life Skills Development: Teaches essential life skills such as budgeting and communication.
- Individualized Counselling: Provides tailored counselling for personal issues.
- 24/7 Staff Support: Ensures constant support and mentor-ship.
- Community Integration: Encourages youth to engage in educational and employment opportunities.
- Housekeeping and Maintenance: Involves youth in keeping the residence clean and organized.
- Structured Programming: Offers daily routines and activities for personal development.
Key Relationships
Supervisors, youth, program staff, families and guardians, community partners, schools and employers, healthcare providers and mental health professionals, government agencies and social services such as: Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), and Children's Aid Society (CAS), Local Law Enforcement,
Responsibilities
- Youth Support and Supervision:
- Provide round-the-clock support and supervision to youth within the residence.
- Monitor the behaviour and progress of residents to ensure a safe and positive environment.
- Life Skills Development:
- Facilitate the development of essential life skills such as budgeting, time management, menu planning, job keeping, food preparation, communication skills, goal setting, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Work with youth on daily living skills through hands-on experiences and coaching.
- Counselling and Guidance:
- Offer counselling and guidance in areas such as anger management, substance abuse, family and relationship issues, and personal responsibility.
- Provide emotional support and interventions tailored to individual needs.
- Case Management and Documentation:
- Participate in intake, reference checks, and move-in and move-out duties.
- Develop and implement individual service plans and counselling sessions.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in client files and staff logbooks.
- Housekeeping and Maintenance:
- Encourage and work with youth to maintain cleanliness and organization in the residence.
- Assist with food preparation, housekeeping, and maintenance activities.
- Security and Safety:
- Ensure the residence is secure and maintain safety standards within the program.
- Conduct regular house and room checks and implement safety procedures such as fire and alarm protocols.
- Administrative Support:
- Complete administrative tasks such as balancing cash, updating forms, answering phones, and processing receipts.
- Attend staff and agency meetings as required.
- Client/Customer Service:
- Facilitate the daily living skills program and supervise residents' activities.
- Work with clients to accomplish their daily tasks and address any challenges that arise during shifts.
- Dispense medications upon request and document accordingly.
- Team Collaboration:
- Work effectively both independently and as part of a team, including training and mentoring newly hired staff and students.
- Participate in staff meetings and agency meetings to stay updated on program needs and changes.
- Community Engagement:
- Represent the program in the community when required.
- Liaise with community partners, including probation, social services, and other ancillary services.
- Client Advocacy and Liaison:
- Advocate for the needs of youth residents and work to ensure they receive appropriate services and support.
- Maintain professional relationships with community resources to facilitate access to services for residents.
Requirements
The job requirements for a Residential Counsellor in the Whitby Residential Program include a combination of education, experience, certifications, skills, and personal qualities necessary to effectively support male youth in the program. These job requirements ensure that the Residential Counsellor is equipped with the necessary qualifications and attributes to effectively support youth residents and contribute to the success of the Whitby Residential Program.
- Education:
- Minimum two-year Social Service Worker Diploma or equivalent in a related field such as psychology, counselling, or social work.
- Experience:
- Previous experience working with at-risk youth in a residential setting.
- Experience working with marginalized youth and understanding their specific needs.
- Certifications and Licenses:
- Valid Class G driver's license with appropriate liability insurance (2 million liability coverage).
- Valid Standard First Aid/CPR certification.
- Crisis Intervention training and certification.
- ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) certification is an asset.
- Background Checks:
- Employment is conditional upon satisfactory completion of a Police/Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Child Protection Screening from the Children's Aid Society is also required.
- Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal).
- Effective counselling and crisis intervention skills.
- Ability to resolve conflicts and problems effectively.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Knowledge of residential program practices and life skills facilitation.
- Technical Skills:
- Basic computer literacy and familiarity with software for documentation and communication.
- Personal Qualities:
- Patience, empathy, and a positive attitude towards working with youth.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Critical and analytical thinking skills.
- Openness to feedback and supervision.
- Initiative, leadership, and punctuality.
- Flexibility:
- Ability to work all hours that the residence is open, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Willingness to adapt to changing situations and needs within the program.
Work Conditions
- May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc.
- Interacts with the public, clients, staff, visitors, and staff from other organizations.
- Ongoing physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting.
- Some seasonal duties: (shovelling snow, salting driveway and walkways, taking garbage out to curb, yard work)
- Able to lift items as heavy as 35 lbs.
- Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
- Flexible hours as required.
Application Instructions:
Submit a letter of interest and your resume which outlines your skills, education, experience and fit for this position through this link: https://jhsdurham.bamboohr.com/careers/359