Youth Care Specialist

About Us:

Closer to Home Community Services (CTH) is a non-profit organization located in Alberta since 1995. CTH provides a wide range of services designed to meet the unique needs of children, youth and families. Be a part of an innovative team that envisions a world where “every child is thriving within supportive family and community relationships”. Join in our mission to facilitate growth and belonging in communities of meaningful relationships and where our integrity is grounded in evidence-based practice authentically informed by, and connected to, diverse cultural wisdom.

Together, we will journey with children and families to uncover strength, hope and healing, creating new possibilities for a brighter future.

CTH is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all; including different cultural backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, and sexual and gender diversities. We strive to be an employer of choice with a focus on wellness and connection.

• Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance
• Extended Health & Dental Coverage
• Additional Health Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Days
• RRSP Matching
• Company Events
• Training and Professional Development

This permanent full-time position works closely with a team of professionals to support youth in a Community Group Home. This position works on a 4-on, 4-off shift rotation including days and overnights to provide round-the-clock care. Utilizing the Teaching Family Model, the Youth Care Specialist’s primary responsibility is to facilitate success for youth with complex mental health and behaviour needs by assisting with their day to day activities and routines.

Typical youth behaviors may include aggression, running away, self-harm or suicide attempts.

• Responsible for youth’s acquisition of relevant skills to live safely and thrive in the community, supporting youth with their daily routine such as going to school, attending appointments or visiting family
• Supporting a therapeutic based approach to treatment
• Maintaining a structured setting, fostering skill development
• Managing crises, ensuring high levels of supervision to promote safety
• Assisting youth with scheduled activities and appointments and providing relief coverage to other homes as needed
• Work collaboratively with a transdisciplinary team in the formation and implementation of treatment plans to ensure treatment strategies are effectively implemented
• Managing crises and helping co-regulate youth when escalated and/or distressed
• Conduct assessments, collect client information for documentation and and critical incident reports
• Participate in individual supervision, team meetings and ongoing training
• Driving for household errands, transporting youth or moving between work locations as needed

• Experience working with individuals with complex needs/behaviours and multiple diagnosis (ADD, ADHD, Trauma, FASD, ODD, addictions, mental health, etc.)
• Open availability to work a shift rotation including days, evenings, awake overnight shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Responsible, diligent and dependable, an exceptional role model
• Extremely detail oriented, organized and can manage multiple priorities at one time
• Compassionate individual with a positive, strength-based and empathetic approach
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Eager to participate in continuous learning and carry out the principles and philosophy of Closer to Home and the Teaching Family Model.
• A Diploma or Degree in a related field and experience working in residential and community group care setting (A combination of education and experience will be considered)
• This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for work-related purposes. Candidates must show proof of a class 5 Alberta driver's license, a personal vehicle, and a clean 3-year drivers abstract. Candidates must also agree to maintain $2 million liability insurance on their personal vehicle, and consent to the possibility of an annual driver's abstract review to meet our insurance provider’s requirements.
  
  Mileage will be reimbursed in alignment with the CRA guidelines and CTH policy.
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