Youth Support Worker

Temporary Full‑Time Youth Support Worker (Canada Summer Jobs)

U‑Turn/U‑Link team located in Surrey, BC

Contract:

8‑week fixed‑term, July 7–August 29, 2026. BCGEU membership required.

Partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Summer Jobs Program.

Compensation: $29.17 per hour (Canada Summer Jobs / summer students).

Eligibility includes youth facing barriers to employment, such as racialised, disabled, rural, remote, Northern, fly‑in, official‑language minority, or 2

SLGBTQI+ youth. Our organization provides mentorship, accessibility accommodations, inclusive supervision practices, and culturally safe work environments.

The Youth Support Worker engages the youth in one‑to‑one activities, helping them reach long‑term goals around success, well‑being, and healthy development. The employee provides close supervision and attention to the youth’s needs to teach skills in education, recreation, and healthy living.

Hours of Work: Tuesday to Saturday, 35 working hours per week, flex time with core hours 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Working towards a Bachelor of Arts in the social sciences, human services, or a related discipline.
• One (1) year recent experience working in programs with high‑risk youth with complex needs and/or involvement in the criminal justice system and their families/caregivers.
• Work or volunteer experience in a residential care facility or foster home model program.

Closing date for Internal Applications: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 4:30 PM. If the position is not filled internally, it will remain open until filled.

PLEA is an accredited, charitable community services organization that has operated throughout BC for more than 40 years. We deliver community‑based services and specialized supported homes to children, youth, adults, and families facing significant challenges in their lives. We adapt our programs to suit each individual’s diverse strengths, needs, and circumstances, building a strong reputation for helping those we serve overcome challenges and lead fulfilling lives.

• Work closely with the Services Coordinator and Family Caregivers to support the goals identified in each youth's service plan. Develop and implement appropriate plans, strategies and activities that will address their complex needs, strengthen their protective factors and provide a sense of belonging and stability.
• Provide close supervision and support in the community that will assist youth to achieve their individual goals, maintain their motivation to make safer choices, improve their behavior, develop new interests and connections, and feel successful.
• Implement interventions that address the complex personal, social and healthcare needs of the youth, and recognize the contextual dynamics they are experiencing. Provide opportunities to access and reconnect to available resources in the community that will enable and encourage youth to develop the necessary educational, personal, social, vocational and self‑advocacy skills. Include such community resources as an integral part of the youth’s case management plan.
• Maintain ongoing positive relationships with Family Caregivers and participate as part of the team responsible for improving the quality of life for the youth, addressing their individual strengths, needs, abilities and preferences consistently, and supporting their healthy development.
• Teach life skills and community survival skills, provide emotional support and models acceptable behavior. Engage youth in acceptable recreational and social activities in the community that will build on their strengths, develop their interpersonal skills, and support their involvement in their culture to strengthen their sense of identity. Support youth towards integration and normative functioning in the community.
• Develop collaborative relationships with youths' families/caregivers, significant others and informal support systems to maintain and strengthen these connections.
• Respond to critical incidents and emergencies in current placements. Recognize potential crises, analyze these situations accurately and implement strategies to deal with them, and…