Housing and Life Skills Worker in Vancouver

This position reports to the Program Manager of Youth Transition Supports, Directions Youth Services. In collaboration with the 10K Program Supervisor, the Housing and Life Skills Worker will support and assist at-risk youth to secure safe, affordable housing, and to work one-to-one and in groups with youth to promote positive choices and to further develop their life skills. The position works on supporting youth in successfully fulfilling their independent housing goals, including finding and/or maintaining housing. Staff work collaboratively within the team and with internal and external service providers to provide case management support. Priority is given to youth with ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services (VACFSS).

Flexible scheduling to accommodate life/work balance.

• Three weeks’ vacation for full-time staff; entitlement increases from there.
• Three paid household leave days a year.
• Two paid Wellness Days a year.
• Two and a half paid Agency days for full-time staff.
• Five paid days for education leave/year.
• One paid Moving Day/year.
• Subsidized professional association annual dues (if applicable).
• Referral bonus program.
• Milestone celebrations.
• On-the-job education through various Lunch and Learns.
• Safe and Respectful Work Environment.
• Opportunities for Growth.
• Ongoing support, mentoring, and recognition to help with engagement and career growth.
• A work culture that values transparency, teamwork, learning, fairness, and integrity.

Health and Wellness Resources:

• Three flex benefit options to meet your individualized needs.
• Option of psychological/counselling services (up to $1500/year).
• Employee Assistance Plan.
• Long-Term Disability Plan.
• Insurance, Travel insurance, ++.

Work Hours: 35 hours/week, Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm.

Location: 1138 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC, with the possibility of working Hybrid (in office, within the community and at home).

What do you need to succeed?

• Diploma in a related human/social service field.
• 2 years related experience with emphasis on homelessness, mental health, addictions, and/or social services or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Role Qualifications and Skills include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of the systematic issues that affect low-income and marginalized people and relevant community, social and health resources, and government services and systems.
• Knowledge of low-barrier resources, harm reduction model, adolescent development, alcohol and drug use issues, mental health issues, sexually exploited youth, and street-involved activities.
• Provide youth with basic life skills training in areas such as housing and job search techniques, basic communication skills, hygiene, budgeting, shopping and money management.
• Provide an introduction to the various housing resources available to youth, including shelter in the community when stable housing is not available.
• Assist youth in accessing these community supports by advocating, escorting, and transporting clients to outside service referral locations, as appropriate.
• Work independently in the community, responding to emerging needs and crises and prioritizing tasks as they arise.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check.
• Valid BC driver’s license; Driver’s Abstract is required.
• Current First Aid and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certificates are an asset.

We believe in the power of inclusion and the power of enabling all our staff to thrive by embracing diversity and fostering equality. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all staff that dismantles barriers and creates opportunities. Our organization is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce representing the communities we proudly serve while encompassing the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity.

We gratefully acknowledge that our programs are delivered on traditional and ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil Waututh), Qayqayt, Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwekwetlem, Semiahmoo, Matsqui, and Tsawwassen First Nations. Huy ch q’u.

JOIN US FOR A MEANINGFUL CAREER HELPING OTHERS AND BRING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF!

About Us: When you work with us, you will join a caring team of people who will value you as a whole person. You will also have the opportunity to do meaningful, leading-edge work that has a direct impact on the local community. Directions Youth Services is a division of Family Services of Greater Vancouver (FSGV), which for more than 90 years has provided a variety of essential resources for children, families, and individuals in the Greater Vancouver community. We believe in the resiliency of Vancouver’s youth who are at-risk, homeless, and street-involved. We assist youth under the age of 25 to get counselling for trauma, mental health, or substance issues. Our teams strive to create spaces and build connections with youth who are facing challenges of street life, substance use, mental health concerns, and disconnection from their communities. Directions' inclusive programs of shelter and drop-in, safe houses, and other unique programs are committed to being a community leader in harm reduction work and fostering low-barrier spaces where all youth are welcome.