Child and Youth Care Worker

CarePros

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a role where a child’s trust, joy, and sense of safety depend on you showing up, fully present. This work will test your patience, stretch your creativity, and demand your accountability. But it will also give you the chance to make a lasting impact in the life of a child who needs it most. The Child & Youth Care Worker (CYCW) role is significantly different from a daycare or childcare position. While both involve supporting children, the purpose, approach, and level of responsibility in a CYCW role are unique and specialized. In this role, you will be working with children and youth who often have complex behavioural, emotional, and trauma-related needs. Behaviour management is not about basic supervision, it is about understanding the underlying causes of behaviour and responding in a therapeutic, relationship-focused way. This work is intensive, relational, and specialized, requiring empathy, patience, and the ability to understand behaviour as communication.

Requirements

A deep passion for supporting youth with complex behavioural and emotional needs.
Patience, compassion, and the ability to stay calm in tough situations.
A balance of playfulness and structure, you can laugh, run, and play, but also hold firm boundaries.
Knowledge (or willingness to learn) around trauma-informed care, wholistic well-being, and child development.
Own a reliable 4-door vehicle to transport the individual(s)
An active Alberta Class 5 Driver's License
A clear Alberta 10-year Driver's Abstract (10 years driving experience is not required)
A current Standard/Intermediate First Aid with CPR Level C (Canadian Provider in person, or blended)
$2 Million Alberta Auto Insurance Liability coverage
Clear Criminal Record with Vulnerable Sector Check obtained in last 5 months
Clear Intervention Record Check obtained from Children Services in last 5 months
Walk and stand for extended periods, including long distances.
Bend, kneel, crouch, and maintain balance to prevent falls.
Work in varied environments, including outdoor and seasonal conditions.
Lift, push, or pull up to 10 lbs. occasionally; reach overhead and outward.
Perform fine motor tasks (typing, grasping, holding) and repetitive movements.
Communicate verbally and maintain physical stamina for both short and long durations.

Nice To Haves

Experience in youth care, working with complex behavioural needs, social work, or related fields is an asset.

Responsibilities

Build trust through playful engagement and mentorship.
Guide youth through crisis in challenging situations by using role modelling, encouragement, and crisis intervention strategies.
Support them with your presence, engagement, and accountability.
Create moments of joy, whether that’s organizing a game, cooking together, or teaching life skills.
Document daily activities and observations with attention and care.
Collaborate with Program Supervisors to support individualized therapeutic plans.
Providing individualized, trauma-informed care tailored to each child's history and needs.
Supporting children and youth who may display behaviours such as aggression, resistance, withdrawal, or emotional dysregulation.
Actively building trusted, meaningful relationships that help promote healing and stability.
Teaching coping skills, modelling healthy boundaries, and providing consistent emotional support.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision benefits
Employee & Family Assistance Program
Group RRSP matching after one year
Instant access to your wages ahead of payday via ZayZoon
Career growth opportunities in a growing, award-winning organization
Innovative technology to assist in your daily routine of providing care
Mobile App. access technology
Cornell University TCI Training (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention)
Ongoing training & professional development
A collaborative and diverse organization supporting you through your journey in making an impact in the lives of youth