Child and Youth Worker

• Use your knowledge and understanding of Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator skills in representing our community's members
• Receive a competitive hourly wage of $33.45/hour
• Don't miss this chance to make a true difference to the vibrant community of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation
  

About the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation is a strong, vibrant, and progressive Indigenous community that is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from the heart of Toronto. Located nearby to the rural community of Port Perry, MSIFN has the benefits of small-town living while having close proximity to urban areas. As part of the Anishinabek Nation and signatories to the Williams Treaties and other pre-confederation treaties, MSIFN is extremely proud of our Indigenous culture and long history of protecting our Aboriginal and Treaty rights. As owners of the Great Blue Heron Casino and creators of the Noozhoo Nokiiyan Economic Development Limited Partnership, MSIFN has an entrepreneurial spirit and expectation for excellence. We encourage team members to be professional, flexible, dynamic, team players, who have a self-starting attitude and respect for all employees in the workplace. While working within clear lines of authority, MSIFN requires someone who can bring out the best in those who surround them. We are a busy First Nation, with many capital projects and opportunities ahead.  The community and workplace are led by an elected Council of 3 (a Chief and two Councillors) and a Senior Management Team led by the First Nation Manager and including Managers from Operations, Finance, Human Resources, and Health and Social Services. We value the hard work of our entire workforce and support them with a culture of collaboration and respect. 

For more information about our vibrant community please visit our homepage by clicking here.   

Make a Difference Within Our Community

Currently, the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) is looking for an experienced Child and Youth Worker to join our community and work with our members and management team in Scugog, ON on a full-time basis. The hours of this role are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday 8.30 am to 1:00 pm.  The Child and Youth Worker is required to be onsite Monday to Friday. 

As our new Child and Youth Worker, you will report to the Health and Social Services Manager and will be responsible for providing holistic health programs and services with an emphasis on addictions and mental health care and services to members.    

Your typical responsibilities include: 

The Child and Youth Worker will ensure that the health, safety and well-being of children and youth are upheld and protected, by promoting and enhancing family strengths, with a focus on prevention, early intervention and protection in partnership with individuals, families and communities, and that children/youth are cared for with respect of their cultural background and overall quality of life.  This shall be achieved through proactive planning and the delivery of organized recreational, prevention, and social programs for children and youth, and families.

The role of the Child & Youth Worker will be to inspire children and youth by being a strong role model and by demonstrating with their actions the contributions children and youth can make to their community.

KEY ACTIVITIES:        

• Develop and implement programming and activities focusing on aspects of healthy living, life skills and self-reliance, personal confidence, self-esteem and enhancement of cultural identity and drug-alcohol and prevention.                          
• Demonstrate and exemplify personal leadership qualities that embody self-responsibility, community building and positive life choices.            

PROGRAMMING

• Plan, carry out and assess developmentally appropriate activities and experiences that promote the well-being of each child and that respect and reflect the diverse needs of children, youth and families.
• Ensure recreational, prevention and social programs and events incorporates and/or are reflective of MSIFN’s culture and traditions. 
• Implement life skills prevention workshops, youth service programs and other community and social service programs or refer to outside agency.
• Assist children and youth in expressing themselves by listening and responding with questions or comments that extend conversations and provide support.
• Ensure the child and youth environment is healthy and safe for all.
• Ensure positive and effective communication with parents/legal guardians.
• Build strong interpersonal relationships with children and youth one-on-one and in group settings.
• Coordinate programming and services so as to ensure safety for all participants and provide emergency or first aid assistance when required.
• Make referrals to internal and external agencies to support the overall well-being of the MSIFN.
• Provide lifestyle awareness information.
• Liaise with outside agencies and communities on programs relating to MSIFN children and youth.
• Develop and implement yearly community events (e.g. Easter, Halloween, Christmas).
• Engage with youth in the creation of an MSIFN Youth Council.  Provide ongoing support and report on progress.
• Fulfill the mandate of the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program by providing support to parents/caregivers during the prenatal period and extending up to the child’s sixth birthday.
• Provide families with knowledge and support to enhance the family’s ability to provide a nurturing home environment.
• Work with families to build on their existing strengths and empower them to make decisions while remaining non-judgmental and respecting values and beliefs of the families.
• Develop and implement a New Parent Support Program that promotes healthy child development.
• Work closely with the Community Health Nurse where medical support is required for young families.

ADMINISTRATION

• Prepare an annual work plan for programming and activities for the Fiscal Year.  Assess the plan throughout year and change as required.
• Adapt to changing priorities and activities related to programming and activities.
• Maintain client files, including preparation of intake, documentation and input in databases.
• Prepare correspondence.
• Maintain program statistics for the purposes of evaluation, research, and reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times and adhere to privacy policies.
• Attend training and meetings outside MSIFN where required.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Prepare annual financial budget and work plan related to the program.
• Prepare cheque requisitions and VISA reconciliations.
• Monitor budget expenses, ensuring programs are operating within the approved budget and address variance reports as required.
• Monitor incoming revenue from funding agencies and report any changes to funding to the Finance Department.
• Complete financial reporting specific to program funding sources.
• Identify and submit funding proposals as directed.

RELATED AND OTHER DUTIES:

• Attend department meetings and any other internal meetings to provide updates on the status of the programming.
• Fulfill other responsibilities as determined by the Health & Social Services Manager.

PAY RATE:                               $33.45 – G1

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Completion of a diploma in a related social services program (Early Childhood Education and/or Child and Youth Care Worker)
• Current First Aid and CPR certification
• Minimum 3 years of related work experience and 5 years of total work experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as deemed by the Hiring Manager 
• Supervising/Managing children/youth                         

SPECIALIZATION REQUIRED: 

• Valid driver’s license and $1M liability insurance
• CPIC/VSS acceptable to position upon conditional offer
• Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture, traditions, teachings, community dynamics
• Knowledge of legislation governing First Nations
• Knowledge of financial budgeting processes
• Proficient with Microsoft applications
• Knowledge of privacy legislation
• Knowledge of casework management and prevention processes
• Strong written and Oral communication skills
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and other skills that engage families and children/youth to seek services and participate in program activities
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently with minimal supervision
• Knowledge of children’s recreation and social development programs
• Knowledge of local agencies that assist families
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours, when required or directed

CONSIDERED AN ASSET:

• Completion of a degree in a related social services program
• Knowledge of MSIFN programs and services
• Alternative Dispute Resolution training
• Cultural Sensitivity training
• Knowledge of Anishinabek culture
• Experience in managing budgets

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:   

• Work experience with a First Nation or Indigenous Organization

Do you want to make a lasting difference to a vibrant First Nation community? Here’s your chance!

About the Benefits

In recognition of your hard work and dedication, you can look forward to a competitive hourly wage of $33.45/hr. ($60,879/yr. based on a 35-hour workweek) along with the following excellent package:

• Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) along with health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Short and long-term disability. 
• Employer pension matching scheme of 5%, voluntary contributions can be increased by a further 8%.
• 3 weeks of vacation, which increases to 5 weeks of vacation with your length of service. 
• An additional 2 weeks off during the month of December to January, 7 days additional discretionary days off, and 3 statutory holidays during the office 2 weeks shutdown over the holidays.
• 14 statutory holidays throughout the year. 
• Bereavement leave of up to 5 scheduled business days for immediate family and up to 3 days for extended family in the unfortunate event of a death of a family member.
• Access to the Wellness Motivational Benefit, receive payment of up to $500 twice in a lifetime for attempts at Healthy Lifestyle changes. 
• A commitment to a policy of compensation that is internally and externally competitive and equitable. Though no pay progression is automatic, pay progression will be reviewed in line with professional development, previous work experience, seniority, cost of living, and market trends as outlined within the compensation policy.

This is your chance to be part of a dynamic and growing community where you will have the opportunity to implement processes and make your mark for the better of all.   

If you share our values and have the skills necessary to bring success to the role, then we invite you to apply today!

Please note that a Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search (CPIC/VSS) acceptable to the position is required upon conditional offer. Expenses for CPIC/VSS are reimbursed after orientation.