Community Outreach Response (COR) for Youth Worker (Wesley)

Posting #: 3792 Posting Date: 04/03/2024 Posting Closing: until filled

Have you heard of us?

Wesley is a long-standing local non-profit and a certified Ontario Living Wage Network (OLWN) employer. We are passionate about assisting people struggling with poverty. Our work is focused on children and family programs, housing & homelessness, and resettling newcomers to Canada in Hamilton, Halton, and Brantford. We're committed to equity, diversity & inclusion, and, a healthy work-life balance. We would love for you to join our team!

Are you the one we're looking for?

We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated Community Outreach Response (COR) for Youth worker who demonstrates our values of compassion, accountability, responsiveness, and empowerment; to our clients, families, and each other.

The COR team is responsible for community outreach, supporting priority populations outlined in the City of Hamilton's Building Safer Communities Plan. This team focuses on Prevention and Early Intervention, servicing youth (and their families) ages 12-25 who are a part of specific priority populations (Women, Indigenous, Black, and Newcomer/Immigrant Youth), who are at risk of, experiencing the impacts of, or actively involved in violence/high-risk behaviour. Leveraging the expertise, skills, and partnerships of Wesley and John Howard, as well as many other youth-serving networks, staff will focus on mobile, community-level outreach to youth in schools, neighborhoods, programs, shelter/housing programs, and popular youth hangouts. The COR team will work closely with the Provincial Youth Outreach Workers – Hamilton, familiarizing themselves with the aforementioned areas and focus on facilitating community connections/referrals with the goal of increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors.

This position is a unionized, permanent, full-time position. The current rate of pay is $24.01. Candidate needs to be able to work flexible hours, including afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Ability to establish a strong positive rapport with a diverse group of youth by being friendly, non-judgmental, non-intrusive, and approachable.
2. Reach out and engage with in accordance with the Stages of Change intervention model.
3. Support youth to connect to programs, services, and other opportunities for healthy development.
4. Complete statistics, client files, daily logs, incident reports, and other administrative documentation, as required.
5. Complete community education for both youth, families, and community supports on the program as well as best practices for engaging with youth at risk of or involved in violence and gangs.
6. Work collaboratively with community partners and ensure proper communication and sharing of information to better support our clients.
7. Manage crises as they may arise.
8. Identify youth in a priority population via community outreach who may be experiencing a number of risk factors, diverting them from higher-risk behaviours/violent situations.
9. Keep accurate/updated client files ensuring they are maintained and that challenging cases/concerns are raised at team meetings with the manager and/or with case conferencing with the team.
10. Adhere to appropriate disclosures regarding confidentiality and relevant legislation.

What you will bring:

1. Completion of S.S.W. diploma or post-secondary education in a related field.
2. Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and diverse needs, identities, and cultural backgrounds of at-risk youth in underserved communities.
3. Skill in establishing trusting relationships with youth.
4. Committed to fostering an inclusive workplace by following an Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppressive approach, valuing diversity and promoting equity for all team members and participants.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
6. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and negotiate/communicate effectively with a range of community groups and service providers across sectors.
7. Strong communication skills both verbally and in writing. French speaking would be an asset. Must be proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel with troubleshooting ability.
8. Non-violent crisis intervention, positive space, ASSIST, and 1st aid/CPR training is required.
9. Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
10. A valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle is an asset.

Invest in Yourself as we Invest in You! Wesley offers…

• A positive work culture that prioritizes all staff having an opportunity to contribute
• A supportive team that will empower you to achieve great milestones!
• Fun and engaging organizational events such as our Staff Appreciation Event
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Full Health & Dental Benefits (Eligible After Three Months)
• Personal & Vacation Days
• RRSP Contribution Program (Eligible After One Year)
• Employee Assistance Program Available Immediately
• Employee Discounts

Please Apply Via: Our Wesley Bamboo Portal:

1. Click on this link: https://wesley.bamboohr.com/jobs/
2. From there you can access all of Wesley's job postings

Wesley is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. More information about Wesley can be found on our website at www.wesley.ca.