Youth Worker, Complex Cases

Position: Youth Worker, Complex Cases

Reports to: Coordinator, Complex Cases

Program: Enhanced Settlement Workers in Schools (ESWIS)

Department: Families and Wellbeing

Working at EMCN

We see a future where many citizens walk with newcomers to bridge their transition into the community. To achieve this vision, we will serve as a key catalyst and leading collaborator in positively shaping the attitudes, behaviours and practices of organizations and individuals to value the diversity that newcomers bring to the community.

EMCN has been supporting newcomers of all ages and families, including refugees, skilled immigrants, refugee claimants, and citizens since 1981. Each year, we serve newcomers from more than 100 countries of origin, and offer services in over 30 languages.

At EMCN, our goal is to create a society which is based on the dignity of every human being through projecting our values of Social Justice, Diversity, Compassion and Responsibility. EMCN strives to offer strengths-based, team-based and client-centered holistic practices as we collaborate with newcomers to achieve their goals, and to enhance quality of life for newcomers and all Canadians.

Job Purpose:
This is a new position that is part of the Families and Wellbeing team which uses a diverse toolbox of supports to serve newcomers facing complex challenges. This includes therapeutic counselling, emotional supports, systems navigation, multicultural brokering, social work, complex settlement, individual, family and group-based programming.

The Youth Worker, Complex Cases position supports the 5% of newcomer children, youth and families who are considered vulnerable, at risk, or high risk due to extreme poverty, social isolation, poor mental health or family instability which severely puts their integration goals in jeopardy. Through individual or family consultations in settings convenient to the clients, the youth worker engages the newcomer and their team of support develop a plan that may include accessing practical supports, family counselling, immediate crisis support, group-based supports, in-school support for children and skill building.

This position works collaboratively with school staff, other settlement agencies, and community-based organizations to identify and develop support plans for newcomers who are struggling to integrate. Because participants benefit from having a trusted, positive role model and connections to places of safety, service delivery is flexible to reduce access barriers (in schools, virtually, in office, or in community). Most services take place during or right after school hours, but some evening and weekend work is required.

Key Responsibilities:
Engage participants to address presenting needs through developing a trusting relationship, creating personalized goals, and assisting participants in achieving their goals through holistic information, supportive referrals, and/or advocacy services

Support parents to engage with the school staff, Child and Family Services, and other service providers; to understand children’s behaviours and attitudes; and to foster healthy relationships both within the home and community.

Complete a comprehensive intake, needs assessment and consent/confidentiality agreement with participants

Establish, review and maintain action plans with participants; share and review with supervisor on a regular basis

Ensure necessary documentation is current and accurate; input client data and case notes into NewOrg and iCARE databases

Design, develop, and facilitate in person and virtual groups for children and youth to address wellbeing and support mental health

Establish and maintain relationships with other EMCN departments, school staff, settlement agencies and community organizations; engage and maintain professional working relationships, participate on inter-agency and inter-departmental teams as needed, collaboratively support participants to achieve their identified goals

Respond promptly to urgent participant needs by carrying an EMCN cell phone and participating in ‘on call’ roster to provide triage support for participants in emergency situations

Demonstrate initiative through identifying and pursuing opportunities to meet unique needs, establish pertinent connections and identify tailored resources and learning possibilities for participants, the team, and the agency

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
University degree or diploma in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, or Human Ecology with a Major in Family Sciences

Minimum three years’ experience working with at risk or high risk youth and families

Community development, youth engagement and/or other experience and training in strategies, tools and techniques to engage children, youth and families from diverse cultural backgrounds

Other combinations of education and experience may be considered, depending upon the applicant’s demonstration of the direct links between their qualifications and the required skills and competencies.

Skills and Competencies:
Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of newcomer settlement; including family dynamics, educational placement, racism and discrimination, cultural brokering, mental health, employment, and system navigation

Ability to build trust and engage participants in exploration of their strengths and challenges and contribute creatively to participant goal setting and action planning

Experience working in an intercultural environment, demonstrable cultural humility and commitment to engaging and learning with all diversities

Strong group-based program design and facilitation skills

Knowledge of and experience using tools and activities to promote wellbeing and positive mental health e.g. wellness wheel, development of resilience and coping skills, setting and clarifying goals and boundaries, etc.

General computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, social media platforms and online tools for virtual service delivery

Understands and adheres to FOIP regulations, participant confidentiality requirements, agency and professional codes of ethics

Special consideration for candidates with fluency in languages other than English, preferably Amharic, Arabic, French, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, and Tigrinya

Additional requirements:
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends

Class 5 Driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle

A Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check and an Intervention Record Check

EMCN is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to increasing diversity in our workforce and inclusion in our organizational practices. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply. We have a zero tolerance approach to discrimination on all protected grounds.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary Range: $57,036 – $62,325/year

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Long Term Disability, AD&D, RRSP match up to 3% after 3 months of employment

Locations: EMCN Central (10170-112 Street) and sites throughout Edmonton

Application submission details:
In your cover letter, list the two or three most necessary skills for developing a trusting working relationship with a family in a cross-cultural situation, and explain how and why these are the mores important skills.

Please submit your complete resume and cover letter as one document to:

Edmonton Mennonite Center for Newcomers (EMCN), Human Resources: . Please include Youth Worker, Complex Cases (ESWIS) in the subject line of the email.

Deadline for submission is June 13, 2021 at 4:30 P.M. MDT

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Resume without a cover letter will be deemed as an incomplete application and will not be accepted.