Support Worker

Peak House – Pacific Youth and Family Services Society

Location: Vancouver, BC

Position: Relief Support Worker

Compensation: 25.00

Schedule: 24/7 residential program

Make a Difference in the Life of a Young Person

Are you someone who believes that young people deserve to be seen, heard, respected and supported, even when they are struggling? Do you have a natural ability to build genuine relationships with youth while maintaining healthy boundaries and a safe, structured workplace?

Peak House is looking for youth-centred, compassionate and dependable Support Workers to join our team.

Peak House is a voluntary, ten-week, live-in alcohol and drug treatment program for youth from across British Columbia. We provide a safe, supportive and structured environment where young people can explore recovery, develop skills and build a foundation for their future.

The Person We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who genuinely enjoys working with youth and understands that behaviour is often communication.

You are someone who

- Builds authentic, respectful relationships with youth
- Is youth-centred rather than staff-centred
- Uses a trauma-informed approach in your interactions
- Can remain calm and regulated when a young person is upset, angry or overwhelmed
- Understands the importance of connection before correction
- Can establish clear and appropriate boundaries while maintaining warmth and respect
- Does not take challenging behaviour personally
- Is curious about what may be underneath a behaviour rather than immediately judging it
- Recognizes and celebrates youth strengths, progress and accomplishments
- Can provide structure and accountability without being punitive
- Is comfortable working within a team and communicating openly with colleagues
- Is reliable, flexible and willing to contribute wherever needed
- Can work independently while knowing when to ask for support

What You Will Do As a Support Worker, you will help create a safe, welcoming and therapeutic home environment for youth.

Your responsibilities will include

Relationship & Youth Support

- Build positive and respectful relationships with youth
- Provide emotional support and encouragement
- Support youth with daily routines and programming
- Encourage independence, responsibility and healthy decision-making
- Support youth in developing life skills
- Participate in recreational,



educational and therapeutic activities
- Help create a warm, inclusive and welcoming environment
- Support youth in maintaining appropriate boundaries and expectations

Trauma-Informed Practice

- Approach youth with curiosity, compassion and respect
- Recognize the impact that trauma and adverse experiences can have on behaviour and relationships
- Support emotional regulation and co-regulation
- Use de-escalation strategies when youth are experiencing distress
- Avoid unnecessary power struggles
- Maintain a calm and respectful approach during challenging situations
- Follow Peak House policies, procedures and safety protocols

Program & Residential Responsibilities

- Participate in scheduled programming and activities
- Support meal times and household routines
- Maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment
- Transport youth to appointments, activities and community outings when required
- Participate in recreational activities and community outings
- Support youth with transitions and daily routines
- Complete required documentation and shift notes accurately

Teamwork & Communication

- Communicate effectively with Support Workers, Counsellors, the Support Worker Coordinator and management
- Share relevant information during shift change and team communication
- Report concerns, incidents and changes in youth presentation appropriately
- Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
- Participate in team meetings, supervision and training

What You Bring

Required

- Experience working with youth, preferably in a residential, mental health, substance-use, community or social-service setting
- A valid Class 5 BC driver's licence
- First Aid/CPR/Naloxone training
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, overnight and holiday shifts as required
- Ability to work in a 24/7 residential environment
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries
- Ability to remain calm and respectful during challenging situations




- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to complete accurate written documentation
- Successful criminal record check
- Ability to meet applicable health and safety requirements

Experience and Training We Value We welcome applicants with a combination of education, professional experience and lived experience.

Assets include

- Trauma-informed practice
- Substance-use or addictions experience
- Mental health/trauma experience
- Youth residential care
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation
- Harm reduction
- Experience supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth

What Matters Most to Us You don't need to know everything when you walk through our doors. We can teach policies, procedures and program-specific skills.

What we can't teach as easily is how you make a young person feel when they are having a difficult day.

We are looking for people who bring:

Compassion. Curiosity. Patience. Accountability. Humour. Respect. Reliability.

Most importantly, we are looking for people who believe that every young person deserves to be treated with dignity and that meaningful change begins with connection.

Why Work at Peak House?

- Work alongside a dedicated team supporting youth through recovery
- Be part of a program with more than 35 years of experience serving youth in BC
- Receive ongoing training and professional development
- Work in a supportive team environment
- Develop meaningful relationships with youth
- Contribute to a program where your work has a direct impact on young people's lives
- Bring your own skills, creativity and interests into the work

Criminal Record Check Employment is conditional upon successful completion of a criminal record check prior to employment and every five years thereafter, in accordance with organizational requirements.

Job Type: Casual

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 1.0 – 35.0 per week

Application question(s)

- What does trauma-informed practice mean to you when working with a young person who is angry, refusing direction or engaging in challenging behaviour?
- Tell us about a time you built a meaningful relationship with a young person who was initially reluctant to engage with you. What did you do?
- Are you comfortable transporting youth in a program vehicle? Yes / No

Licence/Certification:
- Class 5 Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Relief Mental health and Substance Use Support Worker (Vancouver)
🏢 Peak House
📍 Vancouver