Youth In Transition Worker – Kamatsiarniq Program

Youth In Transition Worker, Kamatsiarniq Program Full-Time – Term to February 2023

It is the mission of Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) to provide Inuit-specific programs that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Inuit, and to encourage and support similar programs for Inuit across the country. With over 30 years of highly successful experience in crafting the design, development, and delivery of a wide range of effective, client-centered services, TI continues to deliver quality programs and services that directly benefit our growing urban Inuit population.

The Youth in Transition Worker (YITW) provides culturally specific direct case management, resources and support to Inuit youth who are in care, transitioning out of care, and recently aged out of care in Ontario to assist them in successfully transitioning to independence. The YITW helps youth develop a plan and achieve their personal goals and supports them to assume responsibility for their own health and well-being, relationships, employment, housing, and education and create connections within their community.

Additionally, the incumbent will plan, organize, and deliver various virtual and in-person training initiatives and workshops for Inuit parents and youth in Ontario who are involved with or at risk of involvement with child protection services, foster caregivers and kin caregivers who are caring for Inuit children, and children’s aid societies and other service providers that deliver services to Inuit children, youth, and families in Ontario.

Key responsibilities of the position include:

• Assist in the coordination of all aspects of the Ottawa program, including input towards the
• Provide case management and support youth to identify, access and navigate adult service systems relevant to their needs as they transition to adulthood
• Maintain a caseload of that is reflective of a 35/hr work week aligned with yearly work objectives and client demands.
• Maintain a referral-to-program process with child welfare agencies, schools and other agencies involved with youth in care
• Actively engage in outreach on a regular basis to solicit new partnerships and clients
• Work with youth one-on-one to create client-centered goal and safety plans
• Connect youth to existing supports and resources in the community to assist them in successfully transitioning from care to healthy and independent living with a strong sense of Inuit identity, including:
  • Cultural resources and supports O Housing supports
  • Educational supports and resources O Employment services and training
  • Life skills training (e.g. financial management, household management) O NIHB registration
  • Land Claims card acquisition
  • Social assistance
  • Health services, including sexual health and dental health
  • Mental health services
  • Legal services
  • Supports for youth exploring their gender identity
  • Supports for 2SLGBTQ+ youth

• Support youth leaving care to engage with their community and develop relationships with Elders and other community members who can help them as they transition to adulthood.
• Identify and help engage family and community members who will form a supportive network for the youth in transition. Facilitate other supportive networks to help youth achieve their goals
• Provide emotional support, coaching, crisis intervention, advocacy and conflict resolution as needed
• Accompany clients to meetings and appointments as needed to provide support and advocacy.
• Create, coordinate, and deliver youth programming, including youth-focused workshops, educational series and youth retreats. Purchase resources and produce program materials (e.g. handouts, activity kits). Develop promotional materials and promote activities to the public and partners.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with internal TI programs, Inuuqatigiit programs, and other service providers to create and support a coordinated network of wrap-around services for youth, to improve access and mitigate barriers to service
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of services available to youth transitioning from care
• Develop and maintain accurate, secure, and up-to-date client files in the appropriate electronic system, including proper and timely case notes.
• Collect and track client data and complete reports as required by manager, funder, and Board of Directors to demonstrate outcomes.
• Conduct program evaluation to assess the success of the program
• Prepare and submit payment requisitions, mileage claims, petty cash reconciliations, expense claims and other relevant financial documentation.

Education and Experience

• A post-secondary diploma or degree in social services (or other relevant field), and 2 years’ experience working within community services, including experience conducting intake, case management, advocacy, crisis intervention and group facilitation. A combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
• Experience working with youth and delivering youth programming is preferred.
• Experience working with the Inuit community is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and Inuit culture, societal values, customs, and traditions.
• In-depth and comprehensive understanding of the history of Inuit in Canada and the impact of urbanization and colonization as well as the socio-economic determinates of health that impact urban Inuit in Ontario.
• Strong knowledge of issues related to youth in care
• Extensive knowledge of services and resources available to youth in Ottawa and the surrounding areas and how to access these.
• Knowledge of (or ability to obtain knowledge of) CPR, Crisis Intervention and Prevention, Suicide Intervention and Prevention skills and training, Mental Health First Aid, Food Handling and Preparation and other relevant certifications
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop and maintain trust, positive relationships and work effectively with youth, co-workers, and staff at other agencies.
• Excellent case and file management skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and group facilitation skills.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to initiate, develop and deliver programming for youth
• Proven track record of dependability and reliability
• Ability to operate computer systems and relevant software and electronic records management applications (internet, Email/Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to maintain accurate, secure, and up-to-date client records and case notes using case management software.
• Strong initiative: motivated and able to work independently and with a high degree of autonomy while knowing when to communicate and consult with supervisor, team members and subject matter experts.
• Ability to develop rapport, trust, and ethical relationships with clients.
• Ability to exercise strong decision-making skills and deal with unpredictable situations.
• Ability to employ effective crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution approaches and techniques.
• Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, and community member centered approach.
• Ability to operationalize a decolonizing and anti-oppressive approach.
• Ability to identify and appropriately support clients in crisis while maintaining healthy boundaries and practicing self-care.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
• An inclusive and positive attitude towards community members who identify as LGBTQ2S, Gender-Fluid, Nonbinary, and/or Gender-Nonconforming.
• A non-judgmental, inclusive, and positive attitude towards community members who are involved in high-risk behaviours or experiencing challenging circumstances, including child welfare involvement, substance use, homelessness, involvement in sex trade and other issues.
• Demonstrates cultural competency and an ability to provide culturally safe services, supports and communication to community members.
• Demonstrates integrity, high ethical practices, standards, and confidentiality.

Requirements

• Fluency in English. Fluency in Inuktitut is an asset.
• Clear Vulnerable Sector check with results acceptable to TI.
• A valid driver’s license and a driver’s abstract that is acceptable to TI. Access to own reliable transportation is essential. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to provide services and/or crisis response to youth.
• Ability to travel within Ottawa and surrounding areas to provide services and supports and attend meetings as required.

Working Conditions

It is expected that the incumbent will allocate their time both in an office environment as well as outside the office while attending training, meeting with clients at various locations to provide advocacy and support and at other venues both within the City of Ottawa and in other cities as required.

The incumbent regularly deals with sensitive information and difficult and painful emotional situations. The incumbent is required to maintain emotional control and separate and suppress personal emotional needs, while demonstrating appropriate emotions (such as empathy and compassion) and adhering to client service delivery standards and organizational policies.

Salary and Benefits

• TI provides paid sick, personal and family sickness leave days, and a 24/7 confidential Employee and Family Assistance Plan.
• Vacation (earn 3 weeks/year).

Deadline for applications is January 9, 2022.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@tiontario.ca.

Preference in hiring will be given to qualified Inuit candidates, applicants are encouraged to self-identify. The successful candidate for this position will be required to obtain a vulnerable sector check with results that are acceptable to TI. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit our website at www.tiontario.ca to learn more about our programs and services.

Accommodations for applicants with disabilities is available upon request.

We thank all interested candidates in advance, but unfortunately, we are only able to respond to those selected for an interview.