Child & Youth Mentor- F/T (Global)-1875

Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society•Fraser Valley, BC

12d•CA$50,296 - CA$57,729•Onsite

About The Position

This is a Full-Time position for a Child & Youth Mentor, based in the Fraser Valley within Stó:lō Territory. The role involves supporting Indigenous children and youth (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) in developing their cultural identity and transitioning to adulthood. Services are provided on an outreach basis, focusing on crisis intervention, mediation, assessment, education, and life skills. The position emphasizes maintaining and promoting Indigenous cultural values and beliefs within the agency and communities. The agency, Xyólheméylh, is an Indigenous Child & Family Service Agency dedicated to keeping families together and reintegrating children with their families, with a strong emphasis on cultural preservation and identity.

Requirements

Diploma is preferred; however significant cultural knowledge and a demonstrated ability to develop respectable relationships, with On-Reserve Indigenous communities, and equivalent personal experience may be accepted.
Knowledge and appreciation of how Indigenous culture and historical impacts affect the development of individuals and communities.
Basic understanding of family systems and child and youth development.
Recognized as culturally competent by their Indigenous community.
Understands cross-cultural issues as they affect youth in care, foster parents, biological parents, and communities of origins.
Excellent oral communication skills with an emphasis on Indigenous communication techniques.
Demonstrated abilities and willingness to educate community members and Society employees regarding cultural values and traditions of Indigenous people; balance competing priorities and to work under pressure; write concise reports to various audiences; and represent and promote the Society.
Ability to form trusting, respectful and effective relationships with youth, Indigenous communities, caregivers, and other FVACFSS employees.
Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and work under pressure.
Maintain an attitude of caring, respect and optimism for youth.
Maintain a clear differentiation between the professional and personal self.
Computer skills for Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Criminal Records Check required.
Valid BC Class 5 Drivers License with no restrictions.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and appreciation of Stó:lō Nation's history, culture, governance, and language is an asset.
Practical knowledge of federal, provincial, and indigenous organizations mandated to provide health, counseling and child and family services is an asset.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the Youth Transition Coordinator, FCCW’s, Managers, Team Leaders, Social Workers and support staff to ensure that work processes and decisions regarding youth are completed in a culturally sensitive manner.
Develops and maintains strong relationships with children and youth in an effort to establish trust and respect, and to encourage and support children and youth in making connections with family, community members, and cultural practices and events.
Connects children and youth with services and resources that will support self-reliance, and successful transition to adulthood, including but not limited to; housing supports, health service referrals, addiction services, mental health supports, life skills development, sports and recreation, other community resources.
Plans, prepares and conducts group or individual sessions using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, basic group counselling, and basic psycho-educational group methods to resolve the identified problems, needs and risks.
Provides skill building in area such as parenting skills, anger management or self management techniques.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention plan, reports on client’s progress, and discusses related concerns with the supervisor in order to resolve identified problems and move towards defined objectives.