Youth Care Worker-House Parent

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/House Parent 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:

• 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 maintains availability for personal, practical and moral support.

• Develops and maintains a strong therapeutic relationship with youth that facilitates effective intervention.

• 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.  

House Parent Duties:

• Meets the nutritional needs of youth by preparing well balanced meals, plans menus, and purchases groceries for the home.

• Actively engages the youth in learning cooking skills, menu planning and life-skills needed to provide for themselves when they become independent.

• Develops a schedule and resources for recipes/meals that can be made during all shifts that can also engage the youth in participating.

• Oversees youth who are not in school because of sickness, waiting to be enrolled or suspended.  Provides for the academic and vocational development of youth by working with school personnel, establishing specific goals, and assisting youth in achieving the specific goals.   

• Ensures safe storage and rotation of all food products ensuring product is properly dated and organized.

• Regularly monitors and inspects kitchen equipment.

• Organizes a schedule for a variety of cleaning duties to maintain cleanliness standards in the kitchen.

Health & Safety:

• Assumes delegated responsibility for the facility when assigned.

• Responsible to make sure health and safety requirements for licensing are kept up to date (refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher temperatures are monitored, etc.)

• 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 complete 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.

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.

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 coordinated 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.

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CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Governance Boards and Councils: None

Internal:

• Program Director

• Case Management Supervisor – Gemma House

• Residents

• 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.

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FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

• Responsible for the safekeeping of materials and equipment for own use.

• Does not process any financial transactions

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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: 
• Dealing with angry and highly emotional residents and their families. May encounter verbal abuse.
• May be required to perform emergency physical restraints on residents who present a risk of harm to themselves or others.
• May involve bending, stretching, reaching, and climbing
• Minimal opportunities for rest breaks may occur during the shift.
• 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, 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 Safe Level 1, Level 2 would be an asset
• 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.

• More than 1 year experience in prep/cooking in a food services setting, culinary training an asset.

• Experience working with youth is preferred.

• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office, internet, and keyboarding.

• 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.

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. 
• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.

• Patience and ability to deescalate situations.

• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.

• Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them.

• Ability and willingness to respect, promote, and support the mission, vision, and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities.

• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.

• Attentive listening skills for the purpose of supervision, coaching, and conflict resolution.

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.

• Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be reliable and operate in an environment of accountability.

• Understands the dynamics of resident’s behaviour with the ability to assess their needs and risks

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.

This is a full-time position, 40 hrs between Sunday - Thursday 1-9 pm

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $21.96 to $27.45 with a maximum of $32.94.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.