In support of British Columbia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s (SDPR) mandate to address intergenerational poverty, the NextStep program aims to empower youth aged 16 to 30 who are either BC Employment and Assistance (BCEA) clients or are from families with a dependency on BCEA to break the cycle of poverty by providing a holistic approach that includes skills training, pre-employment support and comprehensive wraparound services. NextStep will engage youth experiencing poverty through a community-centered approach, working closely with local service providers and poverty serving agencies who support families and youth on BCEA. 

 

YWCA NextStep is delivered in a hybrid program model with both in-person and virtual delivery for youth, 16-30 years of age, facing multiple barriers to obtaining employment and/or further education. The 12-week program offers life skills, employability skills, peer support, community connections, financial assistance, and wrap-around services in a safe environment to provide youth the structure needed to set and move forward towards their goals. In collaboration with a Research Consultant, NextStep will identify best practices through comprehensive research and evaluation, assessing the effectiveness of various approaches and pinpointing key factors that drive successful employment and educational outcomes for youth. 

 

What you’ll be doing: 

 

• Provide leadership, guidance and enhanced support to the Prince George team to ensure the program is delivered effectively   and meets its objectives working with the NextStep Manager located in Metro Vancouver.  

• Build and nurture relationships with youth aged 16-30, creating a supportive and inclusive environment 

• Conduct intakes and assessments to determine eligibility, as well as assess risk and protective factors 

• Assist participants in developing actionable plans that identify short- and long-term goals and address barriers to engagement, using a strength-based approach 

• Offer referrals to participants for resources such as employment, housing, mental health, substance use, education, finances, food, and other areas of need 

• Address and provide appropriate support for potential behavioral, mental health, emotional, or substance use situations 

• Ensure accurate client records are maintained, while upholding client confidentiality at all times 

• Assist youth in accessing external community supports and accompany them if needed to ensure successful engagement 

• Support youth in building resumes, crafting cover letters, preparing for interviews, and developing effective job search strategies 

• Attend scheduled meetings with program staff to discuss program updates, share feedback, and address participant needs 

• Foster collaboration with the community and YWCA for referrals and client recruitment, ensuring the program remains impactful 

• Provide support to the research consultant by coordinating access to relevant program data, demographic information, and other required resources, ensuring they have the tools needed for successful analysis and reporting 

• Develop and facilitate workshops on employability and job search topics, utilizing hybrid technology for both in-person and virtual delivery 

• Stay informed on labor market trends, job postings, employment issues, community resources, education planning, volunteer opportunities, and other relevant employment-related supports 

• Perform additional administrative and program-related tasks a required 

 

Qualifications: 

 

• Passion for working with youth who face barriers to employment 

• Relevant post-secondary education and/or combination of relevant education and work experience 

• Proven experience working with youth and/or families living in poverty and dependent on BCEA 

• Comprehensive knowledge of social determinants of health and trauma informed practices 

• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to provide guidance and mentoring to team members when needed 

• Excellent computer skills (all Microsoft Applications), SharePoint, OneDrive 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated group facilitation abilities; counselling training is an asset 

• Familiarity with the Prince George labour market is an asset 

• Must be able to work at the physical office location to deliver in-person participant services 

• A valid clear criminal record check (including working with vulnerable populations) is required 

 

What we offer:  We offer our eligible employees the following benefits as part of their total compensation package: 

• extended medical and dental benefits  

• a defined benefit pension plan 

• flexible working arrangements for applicable positions 

• Employee Family Assistance Program, a confidential and voluntary support service for employees and their eligible family members 

• free membership to our Health + Fitness Centre, discounts at our YWCA Hotel and priority in YWCA Child Care centres 

• a workplace that prioritizes employee health, safety and wellbeing, including many learning and growth opportunities such as our staff mentorship program and three equity committees who help to support our goals towards achieving meaningful equity and inclusion. 

 

Pay rate starting at: $35.02 per hour