Child & Youth Worker Position – Casual/Relief

True North Society - Strathmore, Alberta

Established in 1993 and located 35 minutes east of Calgary in Strathmore, Alberta, True North is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all individuals impacted by domestic violence. True North provides short-term emergency shelter, community programming, outreach services, referral, and advocacy. We also provide ‘wrap around’ services such as family violence prevention services in partnership with Siksika Supports and the RCMP.

We are considered a valuable service provider in the community and are a member of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS).True North is a unionized workplace under CUPE 4731.

Our Mission

Together we walk the path with those in crisis: honoring the past, providing support in the present, and awakening hope for the future.

Our goal is to provide non-judgmental support, active listening, and assistance to all individuals impacted by abuse. At True North, we celebrate diversity; respecting each person’s unique culture, history, and life experiences is foundational to our care practices.

Our Vision

Interrupting the cycle of abuse through empowerment to create a safe environment for all.

The True North Society is committed to helping build a safe and secure community free from abuse. We aim to help prevent abuse through education and community programming, reduce the recurrence of violence through counselling and support programs, and respond to abuse by assisting survivors in building the skills and confidence needed to live independently.

Why Join Us?

In joining the True North team you will become a part of a dedicated and passionate group of professionals who value healthy workplace culture and wellness. Our team is dedicated to helping all people impacted by abuse through a client centered, strengths-based approach.

True North offers

· Regular group and individual supervision

· Generous vacation pay (6% paid out to casual employees)

· Paid breaks

· Positive, professional and fun workplace environment and culture including team building days, offsite “field trip” opportunities and social committee hosted events

· Ongoing paid training opportunities provided by True North including, but not limited to, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Suicide Intervention, WHIMIS, Food Handling, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Trauma Informed Practice and Workplace Health and Safety.

· Ample professional development opportunities

· Free parking The Role

True North is seeking a Casual/Relief Child & Youth Worker

This position is casual and requires a commitment of a minimum of 2 shifts per month, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Casual employees submit their availability on the third week of each current month for the following month. Daytime, evening and weekend shifts are consistently available each month and the position also supports to cover off full-time employee vacation and wellness days.

This position reports to the Team Lead.





This position works in a pet-friendly shelter environment. Dogs or cats may be present on site at any time, and robust health and safety measures are in place to support both staff and clients.

Who You Are A dedicated, mature and professional individual with a solid understanding of domestic violence dynamics, including the cycle of violence, experience and comfort in working with vulnerable children and families. The successful candidate will possess skills childcare, active listening, conflict resolution, child and adolescent development, relationship building and family focused compassionate support.

· Have a working knowledge of the causes and consequences of domestic abuse and the impacts on children.

· Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and excellent communication skills

· Ability to build trusting, healthy relationships.

· Good organizational and assessment skills and ability to prioritize.

· Child Development Experience working in a Domestic Violence setting and/or with vulnerable populations

· Professional and respectful in dealing with staff or client needs

· Knowledge of ATIA protocols and procedures regarding confidentiality

· Ability to work in a team environment

· Understanding of the Ages and Stages Model and Tool

· Knowledge of parenting supports, strategies and resources

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

· Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and possess a clear understanding of professional ethics are paramount to all positions at True North

What You Will Do A Child and Youth Worker provides respite to parents needing time to develop goal plans and work on their emotional wellbeing. The candidate must develop meaningful relationships with the children accessing services, through a diverse range of activities. The worker is expected to provide opportunities to meet the children’s physical, social, intellectual, creative and emotional needs, while peer modelling, developing and encouraging positive relationship building and coping strategies with the family unit.

Professional boundaries, ability to critically analyze situations, a thorough understanding of ethics and child development, are a must for this role.

- Comply with all policies and procedures of True North to ensure the Shelter functions smoothly and efficiently
- Collaborate with the team to provide wrap-around supports to families
- Attend all team meetings and internal training opportunities
- Participate in shift change by conveying complete concise and accurate information
- Assist families in a variety of daily functions, which may include: caring for children,



supplying clients with toiletries and peer modelling parental interactions
- Provide supervision to children while parents attend important appointments offsite
- Orient the parents and children to the Child and Youth program upon admission and ensure that program guidelines are explained thoroughly
- Provide programs, activities and outings which meet health and safety requirements, and stimulate the emotional, mental and educational needs of children
- Demonstrate and teach non-violent problem-solving skills to the children utilizing services at True North
- Support with various emotional regulation skills and coping strategies for children
- Organize, provide transportation and supervision for field trips with families
- Coordinate school related activities for school aged children
- Observe children in terms of recognizing special needs or concerns, including: behavioral, physical, emotional or medical concerns and record such observations in conjunction with records management policies and procedures
- Complete all required documentation of statistics and reporting, as required,
- Coordinates special programming such as Family Enjoyment Groups, the Adopt-a-Family program
- Other duties as requested by supervisor(s).

What You Will Bring · Diploma or certificate in Child and Youth Work or other relevant disciplines. A combination of relevant experience and education may be considered.

· Registration with the appropriate professional body

· Current CPR/First Aid and suicide intervention training certificates

· Recent Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector and Child Intervention Checks

· Strong interpersonal skills combined with excellent organizational, problem-solving and communication skills

· Strong computer literacy including MS Office Suite, able to learn additional software quickly and effectively

· Experience working directly with children of all ages

· High Standards of skilled integrity and proficiency

· Clear drivers abstract and an ability to travel with a road-safe, maintained vehicle To Apply:

True North is committed to employment equity and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences to apply. We value and embrace diversity and special consideration will be made in recruitment and selection of new employees who contribute to a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity.It is our intent to have a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We thank you for your interest in this role.

If you require accommodation to apply, please contact Joni Chyzyk, Operations Manager at [email protected] for assistance.

To Apply:

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. We appreciate your interest in this role. However, only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Pay: $21.00-$25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Child & Youth Worker- Casual (Strathmore)
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