Youth Worker - Sanctuary Program, Monday-Thursday Evenings

As we serve vulnerable youth, all employees working for Covenant House Vancouver must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required prior to your start date.

About Covenant House Vancouver

Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has provided relentless support for youth experiencing, or at-risk of experiencing, homelessness. We provide support to young people age 16 to 24 who have experienced a wide range of early life and ongoing, complex trauma; including physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect. Our purpose is to serve all youth, with absolute respect and unconditional love, to help youth experiencing homelessness, and provide a safe and supportive environment for all youth in need.

Working at Covenant House will be one of the most meaningful things that you’ll do in your life. However, you will be confronted with significant issues in this work and frankly, this work is not for everyone. In the course of doing your work, particularly for those doing frontline work, you will be exposed to the trauma of others. The youth we serve may also experience overdose, physical harm perpetuated by self or others and even death. Because we provide a relational model of care, the harms our youth experience can impact us in varying degrees.

While we provide training for youth workers on avoiding what we call vicarious trauma (namely, the trauma you can experience or take on by hearing other’s traumatic stories), and a generous allowance for counselling, it is still difficult work that can and does take its toll on many employees. Self-awareness and self-care are key. Some candidates and employees decide during the recruiting and probationary periods that this work isn’t for them, and that is totally fair.

We will provide more information on vicarious trauma during recruiting and on-boarding, to help you decide if Covenant House is the place for you.

The Impact You’ll Make as a Sanctuary Youth Worker

As a Youth Worker, you’ll help create a safe, low-barrier space for youth 16–24 years old actively engaging in complex substance use and navigating mental health difficulties. Through your consistent support, youth can experience stability and safety for the first time, with progress and success recognized in ways that are meaningful for everyone in the program.

By using harm reduction approaches, you’ll reduce risks related to substance use, homelessness, and street involvement, while supporting youth to make their own choices when ready. You’ll also respond confidently to complex overdoses, follow safety protocols, and engage in ongoing training to ensure a safe environment for all.

How You Will Contribute

- Welcome youth to the program and respond to their needs with respect, care, and practical support (e.g., food, clothing, transportation).
- Build trusting relationships by engaging with youth on their terms, honoring their choices and autonomy.
- Orient new youth to the program and services without expectation of change.
- Be present daily with youth, offering support around substance use, mental health, and life challenges, prioritizing safety, harm reduction, and connection.
- Respond confidently to drug poisoning and medical emergencies, including atypical or complex cases
- Maintain ongoing overdose response training and engage in reflective learning, including post-incident debriefs, to improve safety and team response.
- Document interactions and maintain records while respecting youth privacy.
- Maintain appropriate expectations, celebrating small milestones-such as a youth choosing to engage with staff-as meaningful progress.
- Coordinate with adult community services to plan and support smooth transitions for youth aging out of the program.
- Contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and low-barrier environment for youth and staff.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking compassionate, patient, and curious individuals committed to a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach. The ideal candidate values building trusting, non-judgmental relationships with youth, meets them where they are at, and supports their autonomy without expectation of change. You understand that your role is to be present, offer care and connection, and reduce risks associated with substance use and street involvement. You are able to maintain the resilience, professionalism, and self-awareness needed to stay grounded when youth are at their most challenging or disengaged. You can respond to youth when they ask for support while maintaining your own mental health and boundaries.

You take initiative in maintaining your overdose response training and remain calm during complex medical or safety events. You prioritize safety, belonging, and community, and are motivated to create spaces where youth feel seen, respected, and supported every day.

Education and Experience

- Diploma or degree in social service or a related field
- Frontline experience in low-barrier, harm reduction, and youth-focused settings
- First Aid, Naloxone Administration, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training required (or willingness to obtain and maintain)
- Demonstrated ability to engage with youth in a respectful, trauma-informed, and youth-led way

Core Competencies

- Knowledge of challenges faced by youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability, responding with empathy, support, and flexibility.
- Apply trauma-informed care and cultural humility, including culturally safe practices, Indigenous harm reduction approaches, and supporting youth connection to their communities.
- Provide affirming, trauma-informed support for LGBTQIA+ youth, addressing discrimination, stigma, and barriers while promoting safety and belonging.
- Strong understanding of substance use and harm reduction principles; engage youth in a non-judgmental, supportive manner.
- Confidently respond to complex or atypical drug poisonings, following protocols and seeking support as needed; maintain up-to-date overdose response knowledge and training.
- Understand general and complex physical health complications related to substance use and collaborate with clinical staff as needed.
- Maintain professional boundaries while building trusting, trauma-informed relationships with youth.
- Support youth with complex mental health needs, recognizing how trauma and adversity impact behavior and decision-making.
- Demonstrate reliability, integrity, and accountability in all work, following organizational guidelines and professional standards.
- Flexible, resilient, and adaptable to changing priorities, environments, and youth needs.
- Collaborate effectively with diverse teams, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment.
- Communicate clearly, actively listen, and ensure information is accessible to youth and colleagues.
- Analyze information, reflect on practice, and make informed decisions prioritizing youth safety and well-being.
- Support team goals while maintaining youth-led approaches, demonstrating sound judgment in complex situations.
- Proficient in office tools (e.g., Teams, Outlook, SharePoint) and capable of completing physical tasks, including lifting up to 25 lbs and bending, kneeling, or squatting as needed.

Additional Position Information:
The schedule is as follows: Sanctuary M-Th 2:30p-12a 76hrs

The successful candidate can expect a starting hourly rate of between $26.40 and $33.00 depending on factors such as internal equity, experience, competencies, and education. Once hired, the hourly rates are reviewed annually following the annual performance review and successful employees have the opportunity for their hourly rate to increase, over time, up to the maximum of the pay band, currently $39.60.

In 2024, we were recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Covenant House Vancouver is a secular organization that welcomes and serves young people from all backgrounds. While the international federation to which we belong was founded in the 1970s by members of the Catholic Church, we are not aligned with any specific faith traditions.

CHV is committed to upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

- Persons from groups marginalized due to race, ancestry, colour, religion/spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
- Persons with visible (physical) and/or invisible (mental) disabilities;
- Persons who identify as women;
- Persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; and
- Indigenous persons.

We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, diversity, equity, and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all at Covenant House Vancouver.

We love what we do and try to make a difference every day. Covenant House Vancouver offers a competitive salary with a great benefits package and excellent opportunity for training and career advancement. If you are looking to join a place where we have a purpose and aim to achieve positive outcomes, please join us by applying.