Residential Child and Youth Worker

Position Summary

Child and Youth Worker – Children’s Residence
Full Time, Contract (40 hours/week) – 12 Months
Pay Rate: $30.00/hour
Mileage Reimbursement Rate: $0.56/km
Reporting to the Manager of Children’s Residence and Support Services, the incumbent establishes warm and trauma‑informed relationships with youth in a purposeful, planned, goal‑directed manner to have a positive and educational impact.

• Provide guidance and appropriate controls in all phases of the youth’s daily life, performing youth care tasks (meals, recreation, etc.) and ensuring safety and well‑being.
• Recognize dysregulated behaviour and use proactive and responsive strategies to support emotional regulation and maintain safety.
• Participate in Plans of Care and develop and facilitate therapeutic and recreational programming one‑to‑one and in group settings.
• Work in conjunction with the assigned agency case manager, other pertinent agency staff and programs, biological family and/or alternate caregivers, educational programs, and community collaterals.

• Child and Youth Worker Diploma or Degree, Social Work, DSW, or other related education and experience.
• Experience in residential care work.
• Excellent knowledge base and clinical skills regarding adolescent development, effects of maltreatment, family dynamics, parenting and childcare principles, crisis management, conflict resolution, therapeutic programming, and residential treatment.
• Personal practice that includes both strengths‑based and cognitive behavioural therapy approaches; awareness/interests in dialectical behaviour therapy considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Adaptability and flexibility to meet changing work demands.
• Work safely in accordance with the Society’s health and safety policies and relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of parenting interventions via feedback, coaching and collaborative goal setting with family members, consistent with a strengths‑based approach.
• Problem‑solving, critical‑thinking and analytical skills.
• Understanding of attachment dynamics between children and parents, extended family members and significant others.
• Case noting and communication skills.
• Knowledge of cultural diversity in child rearing, parenting, and family resources.
• Excellent communication, documentation, organization, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse communities.
• Ability to work 12‑hour shifts (7:00am–7:00pm and 7:00pm–7:00am) as scheduled.
• Current Standard First Aid Certificate and PMAB certificate (or willingness and ability to obtain).
• Knowledge of the impact of oppression, anti‑Black racism, and colonization on service users, with particular attention to identity formation and systemic issues.
• Upon conditional offer:
  Valid G Ontario Driver’s License and safe driving record.
• Upon hire:
  Current Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check satisfactory to Employer.
• Access to a reliable insured vehicle.
• Flexible schedule (including evenings, weekends).
• Child Welfare Records Check satisfactory to Employer.

• Excellent career development opportunities and a supportive work environment.
• Flexible shifts, including evenings and weekends.

The Society is committed to supporting and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in our organization and the society in which we serve.

We are expressly interested in receiving inquiries and applications from Indigenous, racialized, or equity‑seeking individuals to better reflect the demographic profile of Thunder Bay and District. TBCAS is committed to a candidate selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free.

To ensure candidates are assessed in a fair and equitable manner, accommodation will be provided to prospective employees in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.