Job Description

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Youth Outreach Worker
Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter
Permanent Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager, Youth and Family Connections, and the Assistant Manager, Youth Emergency Shelter, the
Youth Outreach Worker provides mobile services that meet youth in their location and focuses on those that might not
otherwise access MCFD or other community services. In addition, the outreach worker provides support to vulnerable
and/or at-risk youth in various community, home and school settings. The Youth Outreach Worker liaises, collaborates
and coordinates with community service providers, professionals, school personnel and other multi-disciplinary teams to
meet the needs of the youth and families. Furthermore, the Youth Outreach worker plans and prepares individual and
group activities to increase life skills, well-being, social networks and safety, using the Circles of Care and harm reduction
models. This position plays a significant role in reaching out to and supporting youth in the community who may not be
connected to existing supports by encouraging connection to school, family, community and alternate resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful clearance of a Criminal Record Check for vulnerable sector
• Minimum 4-year relevant degree, or equivalent of education/experience working with children/youth with

behavioral, attachment and other needs from a trauma informed lens.

• Knowledge and specific training in behavioural modification, attachment-based parenting, harm reduction,

cultural safety, crisis intervention and relationship-based interventions.

• Extensive knowledge of youth services in the Cowichan Valley
• Class 5 BC drivers’ license
• Ability to travel throughout the Cowichan Valley
• First aid, Food Safe, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training and negative TB test
• An understanding of the Circle of Care model
• Obtain and maintain screening through MCFD and the Ministry of Justice

POSITION DETAILS

This is a Full Time Union Position. The days and hours of work are 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm (7.5 hours/day excluding meal break).
The work rotation is 4 days worked, 2 days off. The rate of pay is $31.56 per hour (Pay Grid 34 – under review). The position
offers attractive Benefits Package along with Municipal Pension Plan if applicable. Applications accepted until October

31, 2025 .

APPLICATION DETAILS

Please submit your resume clearly outlining your education, experience, and qualifications as they relate to this position
via email to careers.cowichan@cmhacowichan.ca. Kindly specify the title of the position in your subject.

Please note that a successful clearance of a Criminal Record Check for vulnerable sector is a condition of

employment with CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch.

CMHA-CVB adheres to the values of diversity, cultural safety, and respect for all, as identified in its Anti-Racism
Statement, please visit our website at cmhacowichanvalley.com.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for further consideration will be

contacted.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Youth Outreach Worker-Youth Emergency Shelter

Program Area : Child, Youth and Family Connections

Date: November 2024

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Providing services in the Cowichan Valley since 1992, Canadian Mental Health Association - Cowichan Valley Branch
(CMHA-CVB) is a registered charity and not-for-profit, independent society operating under a branch division agreement
with CMHA British Columbia and within the context of the nation-wide Strategic Plan of the Canadian Mental Health
Association.

As part of a national organization and an advocate of mental health for all, CMHA-CVB facilitates access to resources
people need to maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing, and to participate in community integration, build
resilience, and support recovery from mental illness and/or substance use and addiction.

CMHA-CVB operates Warmland House Emergency Shelter, Mischa Lelum Youth Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing
Services, Sobering and Assessment Centre, Adult Outreach programs, a Youth Centre, Youth Connect, Bounce Back
personal coaching, Family Capacity Program, SAIP and a variety of other counselling/therapeutic programs for children,
youth, and families.

CMHA-CVB also provides community education and advocacy aimed at the promotion of good mental health and in
support of individuals and families with mental health challenges.

CMHA-CVB adheres to the values of diversity, cultural safety, and respect for all, as identified in its Anti-Racism
Statement as attached.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager, Child, Youth and Family Connections and the Assistant Manager, Youth Emergency Shelter, the
Youth Outreach Worker provides mobile services that meet youth in their location and focuses on those that might not
otherwise access MCFD or other community services. In addition, the outreach worker provides support to vulnerable
and/or at-risk youth in various community, home and school settings. The Youth Outreach Worker liaises, collaborates
and coordinates with community service providers, professionals, school personnel and other multi-disciplinary teams to
meet the needs of the youth and families. Furthermore, the Youth Outreach worker plans and prepares individual and
group activities to increase life skills, well-being, social networks and safety, using the Circles of Care and harm reduction
models. This position plays a significant role in reaching out to and supporting youth in the community who may not be
connected to existing supports by encouraging connection to school, family, community and alternate resources.

This is a connection and engagement-based program through mobile support in the community. Youth Outreach workers
develop relationships through a mobile outreach model based on trust and consistency that is developed in the
immediate engagement phase. Youth Outreach workers will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect
authentically with youth while supporting them to meet their individual goals and intervention plans.

RESPONSIBILTIES :

• Provides outreach services at the youth location including in the community, home settings, schools and various

appointment with mental health clinicians, social workers and care professionals

• Collaborates and coordinates with other community, professional, health, and social services supports and

resources in the youth’s best interest while also working with families

• Provides skill building in areas such as coping, anxiety, depression, communication, healthy relationships, mental

and sexual health, substance misuse and strength building

• Using a mobile outreach model, liaises with and/or promotes the interests of youth with other community

service providers, professionals and school personnel

• Drive and accompany youth to various appointments and meetings as needed
• Develops and implements short-term issue specific interventions plans in consultation with supervisor
• Evaluates intervention plans, reports on progress, resolves identified concerns or adapts to changing objectives
• Perform Intakes for youth, working closely with the referring agency
• Document, log and record all information through case management, prepare and maintain data and youth

records as requested

• Work closely with youth and maintain youth-centered approach
• Support youth with varying degrees of mental health and substance use needs through a supportive trauma-

informed lens

• Integrate cultural competency and anti-oppressive frameworks
• Adhere to all laws, policies, procedures and standards regarding disclosure (organizationally, provincially and

federally)

• Maintain flexible youth centered schedule, keeping track of, and reporting work hours, bi-weekly
• Communicate with other youth agencies and resources to ensure wraparound care and collaborative approach
• Prepare and maintain all necessary reports as requested and required
• Provide support to all youth programs to maintain adequate staffing levels for program administration
• Notifies Provincial Centralized Screening as required
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Manager or Team Lead

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES and SKILLS:

• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural competency and anti-racist practices
• Ability to deal professionally, effectively and non-judgmentally with individuals ages 12-19 including a broad

range of personalities, needs, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive and collaborative working relationships with

individuals and teams

• Good conflict management and dispute resolution skills
• Good decision-making skills with the ability to motivate and direct others
• Sound judgment and excellent problem solving/crisis management skills
• Cognizant of being a role model to youth and the need for professional conduct at all times
• Ability to organize, multi-task and prioritize own workload
• Ability to analyze situations quickly and apply sound judgements
• Fully familiar with emergency protocols and able to direct others in time of crisis or emergency
• Motivated to work in a non-profit environment
• Good understanding and knowledge of trauma-informed practices
• Solid understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppression practices
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Valid Driver’s License and access to a vehicle when required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Successful clearance of a Criminal Record Check for vulnerable sector
• Minimum 4-year relevant degree, or equivalent of education/experience working with children/youth with

behavioral, attachment and other needs from a trauma informed lens.

• Knowledge and specific training in behavioural modification, attachment-based parenting, harm reduction,

cultural safety, crisis intervention and relationship-based interventions.

• Extensive knowledge of youth services in the Cowichan Valley
• Class 5 BC drivers’ license
• Ability to travel throughout the Cowichan Valley
• First aid, Food Safe, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training
• An understanding of the Circle of Care model
• Obtain and maintain screening through MCFD and the ministry of justice

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Immediate start, Flexible hours,

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