• A unique opportunity to utilize your leadership skills and make a difference in people's lives
• Grow your skills towards a rewarding career in this pivotal role
• Enjoy an attractive hourly wage, plus top-notch benefits

About PLEA Community Services

PLEA is an accredited, not-for-profit, charitable community services agency that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver services to children, youth, adults and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We continually adapt our programs to suit each individual’s diverse strengths, needs and circumstances. As a result, we have a strong reputation for helping those we serve overcome the challenges they face and lead fulfilling lives in their communities.

For more information, please visit plea.ca

About the Opportunity

We are looking for Youth Care Workers to join our organization in Maple Ridge and Burnaby, BC.  We currently have the following available:

• Part-time opportunities in Maple Ridge: 

• • 12AM - 8AM, Friday to Monday schedule.
  • 12AM - 8AM, Saturday and Sunday schedule.

• Part-time opportunity in Burnaby: 

• • 12AM - 8AM, Thursday to Saturday schedule.

• Casual on-call opportunities in Maple Ridge and Burnaby: This includes a variety of shift types on different days of the week. Shift types include day (8AM-4PM), evening (4PM-12AM) and overnight (12AM-8AM) and could be at either location. Successful candidates for casual on-call positions must be available for a total of 20 shifts per month, which will include 5 overnight shifts, 4 weekend shifts, and 6 statutory holidays throughout the calendar year.

The programs provide care to youth with moderate to severe behavioural challenges and assist them to live successfully in a staffed resource home. As a Youth Care Worker, you will be responsible for ensuring that the youth's physical, emotional, social, educational, and medical needs are met. You will also be assisting youth to enhance their quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills.

Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Monitoring youth in staffed resource homes to ensure their safety and well-being
• Identifying, analyzing, and addressing potential emergency situations, including managing aggressive behaviour to prevent harm to youth and the public
• Ongoing identification and reporting of critical incidents to the manager while adhering to youth safety plans
• Ensuring effective, real-time communication and coordination among Family Caregivers, internal staff, and youth, as well as liaising with external stakeholders such as schools, families, and communities when needed
• Continuously offering feedback to youth on their behaviour, teaching coping techniques, and adaptive behaviour strategies, and delivering guidance and support on both an individual and group basis
• Teaching youth to engage in socially appropriate behaviour through the incorporation of daily routines and activities
• Providing ongoing life skills training, including meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills, and personal finance, as required by individual service plans
• Actively participating in various youth-focused activities as outlined in the youth's service plan
• Actively participating in the assessment, goal-setting, and program planning (service plan) for youth residing in staffed resource homes.
• Continuously documenting, implementing, and contributing input to the evaluation of youth's progress
• Offering crisis intervention and ongoing emotional support to youth in accordance with established policies
• Continuously coordinating schedules and accompanying youth to appointments and community outings
• Performing ongoing residence and program maintenance, including laundry, floor cleaning, lawn care, inventory management, shopping, equipment cleaning, and meal preparation
• Maintaining up-to-date reports, including statistics, logbooks, and case notes on daily activities with youth
• Assisting youth in self-administering medication in accordance with established policies
• Continuously upholding the highest standards of confidentiality
• Engaging in any other related duties as required

About You

To qualify you will need a two-year/60 credit diploma (or 60 credits completed in your degree program) in a related human/social services field (Youth Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Nursing, Social Services, etc.), and 6 or more months of recent related experience (work experience, volunteering, practical placements). You must also have a valid B.C. Driver's License (Class 5 or Class 7), and suitable driver's abstract.

The following skills are essential to success in this role:

• Effective interpersonal skills for building trust with youth, caregivers, staff, and professionals
• Proficiency in de-escalation, crisis management, and problem-solving
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration abilities
• Capability to work independently, make sound decisions, and follow service and safety plans in high-pressure situations
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Effective oral and written communication abilities
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of social realities, including race, culture, religion, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, poverty, and lifestyle
• Experience working in a home setting
• Knowledge of relevant social issues and program-related trends
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and database systems
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Clearance and Centralized Services Hub Clearance by the Ministry of Children and Family Development
• Possession of a valid Occupational First Aid Level 1 Certificate or willingness to obtain one before hire 
• Documentation that the applicant is legally approved to work in Canada

Our funding contracts require that successful applicants are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their start date. The candidate may also be required to complete a Tuberculosis Screening Test prior to the start of employment.

What We Offer 

As a valued member of our team, you will be rewarded with an attractive hourly wage ranging from $26.74 - $30.69 (your hourly wage will depend on skills, experience, and qualifications), as well as top-notch benefits.

These include:

• Education and Training Fund* 
• Physical Activity Fund* 
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) confidential and voluntary counselling support services and wellness resources
• Discounted Membership Fees for Club 16 Trevor Linden and She's Fit
• Employee Recognition Program (i.e., long service awards)
• Agency-Sponsored Social Events (i.e., summer barbecue, annual holiday party, and team days)
• Perkopolis Membership - exclusive managed discount, reward, and benefits programs

*These benefits are available to employees who are eligible for PLEA's health and welfare benefits.

If you tick all of these boxes and believe you will thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply today!