Youth Counsellor - FTAP

Please note this is a temporary position, covering a leave of absence that is estimated to last for up to 13 months.

Applicants must be authorized to work in Canada and at our organization on an ongoing basis.

The John Howard Society of North Island welcomes applications from all qualified applicants including but not limited by those of any gender, race, orientation, or disability. Multilingual skills and multicultural competence are assets. The John Howard Society of North Island is an employment equity employer.

Two completed, acceptable criminal record checks are required. One from the Criminal Records Review Program through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and one from the Canadian Criminal Record Search of the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records, the Canadian Police Information Centre, and the Police Information Portal.

This position requires union membership with Health Sciences Association. All union JJEP/Paraprofessional positions are subject to wage grid levels. Positions begin at Step 1 and are increased to Steps 2 through 4 based on number of hours worked.

Job Title:

Youth Counsellor – Full Time Attendance Programs (FTAP)

Work Site:
Beech Street

Program:
Full-Time Attendance Programs

JJEP Benchmark:
Adult, Youth and/or Child Counsellor

Grid Level: Grid
14 Paraprofessional

Reports to:

Program Manager

The Youth Counsellor – FTAP provides primary supervisory and support services to the youths participating in the Full-Time Attendance Programs. Responsible for organizing and monitoring youths’ individualized day programming.

• Builds and maintains a positive supportive relationship with youth in the program
• Participates fully as a member of the case management team for each youth placement
• Develops and implements intervention plans within program guidelines in consultation with other members of the case management team
• Provides individual and/or group programming aimed at addressing youth issues/needs such as communication skills, anger management, conflict resolution, and problem solving
• Provides youth with opportunities to access community resources as required
• Facilitates the self‑development and skill development of youth by identifying, recruiting and developing appropriate resources, and supporting youth participation in developmental activities such as life skills, work placement, academic study, community services
• Provides direct intervention with the youth when required
• Assists in personal hygiene and basic care
• Responsible for ongoing contact and liaison with probation officers who are involved with the youth
• Facilitates open communication within the case management team
• Contributes to regular reporting procedures, including ongoing case notes, incident reports, monthly progress summaries, and exit reports
• Attends meetings as required by John Howard and the Ministry of Children and Families
• Represents John Howard in the community when required by the agency and the Ministry
• Participates in managing/balancing on‑site petty cash and youth work budgets

• Post‑Secondary degree in counselling, child care work or a related field
• First Aid training is required
• Driving required to attend meetings and to enable contact with youth/families at home or in the community. The worker must have a valid driver’s licence and access to safe, reliable transportation, and must obtain appropriate insurance as per Society policy
• A minimum of two years’ experience working with high‑risk youth in a counselling or other helping capacity required, which should include:

• Experience counselling adolescents
• Ability and willingness to be trained in treatment issues
• Experience with life skills/job skills programming an asset
• Understanding of addiction and other abuse issues, and current treatment models
• Solid understanding of human services ethics with regard to confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
• Ability to maintain a calm professional approach in crisis situations

• Demonstrated ability working constructively and cooperatively in a team setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Kno…