About the Role

The Youth Support Worker at Bearspaw Lodge provides direct, trauma-informed residential support to justice-involved male youth managing complex mental health presentations — including schizophrenia, severe anxiety and mood disorders, and complex behavioural needs — alongside substance use and high-risk behaviours. This role requires steady, skilled de-escalation, close coordination with the youth justice and child intervention systems, and a genuine commitment to helping each young person build stability, safety, and accountability.

Application Deadline

August 17, 2026

Who We're Looking For

- Has a strong background supporting youth with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, severe anxiety, mood disorders, and complex behavioural presentations
- Has experience supporting youth who struggle with addictions and engage in risky or unsafe activities
- Is skilled and confident in de-escalating high emotional and behavioural episodes
- Has experience working with or alongside the juvenile judicial court system
- Is comfortable supporting youth to attend appointments with psychologists, pediatricians, and family visits
- Is well-versed in and understands Indigenous culture, history, and traditions
- Communicates clearly and professionally with families, caseworkers, and interdisciplinary teams
- Thrives in a collaborative, team-based residential setting
- Is reliable, flexible, and available across a rotating part-time schedule

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-Day Support

- Provide direct, trauma-informed care and supervision to youth with complex mental health, behavioural, and substance use needs
- Implement individualized support plans, behavioural strategies, and therapeutic interventions in collaboration with the clinical team
- Support daily living activities including personal care, meal preparation, medication administration (as trained), and household routines
- Recognize early warning signs of escalation and apply trauma-informed de-escalation strategies during high emotional episodes
- Support youth safely through crises related to mental health symptoms, substance use, or risky behaviour
- Model and encourage positive coping strategies, self-regulation, and independence

Systems Navigation & Appointments

- Support and accompany youth to appointments with psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, and other medical or mental health providers
- Support youth in attending and preparing for family visits
- Liaise professionally with the juvenile judicial court system, probation officers, and legal representatives as required
- Liaise with caseworkers, DFNA representatives, school staff, and other community partners

Family & Community

- Build and maintain respectful,



collaborative relationships with families and natural supports
- Advocate for each youth's participation in school, community programs, and cultural activities
- Support youth in accessing and navigating mental health and addictions services

Documentation & Communication

- Complete accurate and timely documentation including daily logs, incident reports, and progress notes
- Document Critical Incident Reports (CIRs) in accordance with BSR policy
- Participate in staff meetings, circle of care meetings, case conferences, and professional development trainings
- Communicate shift handover information clearly and thoroughly

Cultural Connection

- Support and honour the cultural identity of Indigenous youth in the program
- Participate in culturally relevant activities, ceremonies, and community events as appropriate
- Engage with cultural programming developed in partnership with DFNA bands and families

Requirements

Qualifications & Education

Required Education

- Certificate or Diploma in Child & Youth Care, Disability Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Community Support Worker, or other Human Services post-secondary education

Required Experience

- Minimum 2 years of experience working with youth in a group care / youth care facility setting
- Demonstrated experience supporting youth with mental health disorders including schizophrenia, severe anxiety, and mood disorders
- Demonstrated experience supporting youth who struggle with addictions and engage in risky activities
- Demonstrated experience de-escalating high emotional and behavioural episodes
- Experience working with or alongside the juvenile judicial court system
- Experience working within or alongside child welfare systems (CFS, DFNA, or equivalent) considered a strong asset

Required Knowledge

- Well-versed in and demonstrates a genuine understanding of Indigenous culture, history, and traditions

Required Certifications & Clearances

- Current Mental Health First Aid
- Valid, clear Police Information Check from Edmonton Police Service (EPS), completed within the last 6 months
- Current, clear Child Intervention Record Check completed by Alberta Children's Services
- CPR First Aid Level C (current) (standard BSR requirement — please confirm this applies to this role)
- Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence
- Clear 3-year driver's abstract




- Reliable personal vehicle with third-party liability insurance

Assets (not Required, But Valued)

- Certification in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Mandt, or equivalent
- Training in Trauma and Community Informed (TCI) practice
- Knowledge of or connection to Indigenous cultures, communities, or languages
- Experience with ShareVision or FAMCare documentation platforms

Supporting Documentation Required

- Certificate or Diploma in Child & Youth Care, Disability Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Community Support Worker, or other Human Services post-secondary education
- Minimum 2 years of experience working with youth in a group care / youth care facility setting
- Current Mental Health First Aid certification
- Valid, clear Police Information Check issued by Edmonton Police Service (EPS), completed within the last 6 months
- Current, clear Child Intervention Record Check completed by Alberta Children's Services
- Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence, clear 3-year driver's abstract, and reliable personal vehicle with third-party liability insurance
- This position carries a bona fide occupational requirement (BFOR) under the Alberta Human Rights Act for a male incumbent, based on the safety and therapeutic supervision needs of the justice-involved male youth population served at Bearspaw Lodge.

Job Type

Permanent Part-Time

Salary

$23.45 – $26.77 per hour

Ability to Commute/Relocate

Must have valid Class 5 Driver's License, clear 3-year driver's abstract, and reliable personal vehicle with third-party liability insurance

What We Offer?

- A meaningful role supporting youth through complex and challenging chapters of their lives
- A supportive, values-driven team culture at a CARF-accredited program that truly cares
- Alberta Blue Cross Extended Health Coverage (following 90-day probationary period)
- Health Spending Account
- Paid vacation, personal days, and sick days
- Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

License/Certification

- Certificate or Diploma in Child & Youth Care, Disability Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Community Support Worker, or other Human Services post-secondary education
- Current Mental Health First Aid certification
- Valid, clear Police Information Check issued by Edmonton Police Service (EPS), completed within the last 6 months
- Current, explicit Child Intervention Record Check completed by Alberta Children's Services
- Valid Class 5 Driver's Licence, clear 3-year driver's abstract, and reliable personal vehicle with third-party liability insurance

Work Location

Bearspaw Lodge — St. Albert, Alberta

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