ISSP Outreach Worker
Job Title: ISSP Outreach Worker
Company: John Howard Society of Victoria
Job type: Permanent, Part-time
Work hours: Mon – Fri, 24 hours per week
Work locations: In person
Salary: $28.00 - $30.00
Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match
About the organization:
The John Howard Society of Victoria is a dynamic, innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.
At John Howard Society of Victoria, we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs.
What We Offer:
Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and a registered pension plan / RRSP
Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities.
Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input! With numerous employee committees, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community.
Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues.
Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose.
Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values
Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all
Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence
Our Goals:
Service Excellence: Improve the quality of life of the people we service through more relevant, accessible and sustainable services.
Organizational Sustainability: Realize a resilient operational and governance model that supports JHSV to consistently serve the end-to-end client journey.
Capacity: Increase our capacity to work effectively and efficiently as a team.
Our Values:
Our Service Commitments (How we provide services to clients) – Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment
Team Values (How we work together) – Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency
About the Program:
The ISSP (Intensive Support and Supervision) program is for female identifying youth (ages 12-17) in Victoria and the surrounding area. This dedicated program for young persons is a community-based alternative to custody that incorporates rehabilitative interventions and support services specific to the individual youth. The intent of the program is to provide an effective sanction that enables the young person to remain in the community and avoid custodial placement, decrease recidivism, and subsequently enhance the safety of the community.
About the Role:
The program worker is responsible for providing support, supervision, and service coordination to youth and their families referred by local probation officers, in accordance with Ministry guidelines. The primary focus is to assist youth in developing healthy functioning in education, work, and family environments.
Responsibilities:
To perform the job successfully a program worker must be able to perform consistently each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.
Prepare, in consultation with and subject to the approval of the supervising probation officer, a detailed plan of supervision and support activities within a set time frame.
Monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of community supervision, including, where applicable, random and periodic curfew checks.
Report all known instances of the young person's non-compliance with the conditions of community supervision to the supervising probation officer or directly to the police, the latter being subject to locally established protocols or pre-authorized approval of the supervising probation officer.
May be required to provide a statement and/or appear in court as a witness.
Work flexible hours including weekends and evenings to accommodate program and client needs.
Support the young person's participation in required or voluntary rehabilitation and intervention programs, e.g. addictions counselling, youth forensic treatment, Youth Substance Abuse Management
Program, Youth Violence Intervention Program, life skills, social skills, etc.
Assist the young person in complying with reparative conditions of the court order such as community or personal service, compensation or apology to the victim.
Maintain ongoing contact with parent/caregivers, providing advice and assistance, including a range of counselling techniques, mediation and, as required, crisis intervention in order to maintain family integrity and residence stability.
Identify, introduce, and integrate recreational, social and/or cultural activities, which will support the young person’s participation in such activities and facilitate the young person’s disengagement from antisocial peers and activities.
Act as an advocate, mentor, and pro-social role model to the young person.
Facilitate and support the young person's ongoing participation in school, training, or employment.
Link the young person with ongoing, non-governmental community supports, e.g. community mentors, volunteers, church groups, youth support groups, etc.
Work collaboratively with the supervising probation officer, young person, parents/caregivers, and all relevant professionals and service providers involved with the young person through integrated case management.
Provide the supervising probation officer with monthly reports and immediate notification about critical incidents.
Represent the agency in the community when required, and maintain healthy relationships with other helping organizations, and the community at large.
Offer and receive support to and from co-workers as part of a team providing integrated, holistic services to youth and families.
Follow policy and procedures, complete reports, and attend meetings as required by the Ministry for Children and Family Development and The John Howard Society of Victoria.
Job Skills:
Case Management Skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently, and constructively and co-operatively in a team setting.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of, and experience in, involving families, community, youth corrections, and other systems in case planning with youth.
Knowledge and experience with case recording practices.
Knowledge and experience with referral, screening, and case conferencing practices.
Knowledge of community resources for youth and families.
Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Excellent reporting skills, for both internal and external stakeholders.
Other Skills and Abilities
Demonstrate a level of cultural sensitivity and understanding of the client population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Can form a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families in which they are helped to gain skills and confidence to address any issues and problems they face.
Can accept the differences he or she will find among his or her clients.
Accept clients’ rights to self-determination and individuality and must not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, language, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, abilities, socio-economic status, political affiliations, or national ancestry.
Have a positive conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
Can work respectfully in partnership with other team members, including referring authorities.
Can set limits and maintain the helping role for the practitioner and to intervene appropriately to meet the needs of the persons served or other family members.
Recognize the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person.
Worker must have the ability to recognize persons with special needs and make appropriate referrals.
Be familiar with Microsoft Office Suite and have the capability to learn and adapt to our systems.
Driving is required to attend meetings and to enable contact with youth/families at home or in the community.
The program worker may be involved in coordinating and/or participating in activities with youth, which include physical, outdoor or other active elements.
Qualifications:
Minimum of a (2) year diploma in a related human/social services field.
Two (2) years related experience which should include:
Experience in providing support and supervision to high-risk youth who may be violent and may be participating in a non-voluntary program in a community based setting.
Experience in providing crisis intervention.
Knowledge of, and experience with, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and youth corrections
Skills and Abilities:
Ability to understand the dynamics of offender’s behavior and assess their needs and risks, managing it as part of the case management process.
Available to work outside of normal office hours.
Valid driver's license and safe, reliable transportation, and must obtain appropriate insurance as per John Howard policy.
Carry provided cell phone to facilitate your contact with clients.
Criminal Record Check.
Competencies:
Case Management Skills: Ability to develop and implement detailed supervision and support plans, ensuring compliance with community supervision terms.
Crisis Intervention: Experience in assessing situations and providing immediate support and intervention to high-risk youth.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, enabling effective interaction with youth, families, and other stakeholders.
Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrated understanding of and respect for diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, fostering an inclusive environment.
Team Collaboration: Ability to work constructively within a team setting, while also being self-directed when necessary.
Community Resource Knowledge: Familiarity with local community resources for youth and families, facilitating appropriate referrals and connections.
Reporting and Documentation: Strong reporting skills to provide accurate and timely updates to stakeholders, including probation officers and ministry representatives.
Advocacy and Mentorship: Ability to act as an advocate and positive role model for youth, encouraging their participation in rehabilitation and community activities.
Personal Characteristics:
Empathy and Compassion: A genuine concern for the well-being of youth and families, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.
Positive Outlook: A belief in the capacity of individuals to grow and change, supporting their journey towards rehabilitation and self-improvement.
Respect for Individuality: Commitment to honoring the rights of clients to self-determination and individuality, free from discrimination.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the program and clients.
Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify challenges and develop effective strategies to address them, ensuring the best outcomes for youth.
Commitment to Family Integrity: Recognition of the importance of family as a nurturing environment, actively working to maintain family relationships and stability.
Professional Integrity: Adherence to ethical standards and organizational policies, maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions.
Willingness to Learn: A proactive approach to personal and professional development, staying informed about best practices in youth support and rehabilitation.
Diversity and Inclusion at JHS Victoria:
At the John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team! We warmly welcome candidates who are racialized persons or persons of color, Indigenous Peoples, women, individuals with disabilities, those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and anyone who brings unique perspectives and ideas to the table.
We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. If you require any accommodations during your interview, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here to help!
How to Apply:
If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your application through our portal. We’ll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled, so don’t wait—apply today and take the next step in your journey with us!