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Who we are:

UNYA has been supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth in the Metro Vancouver area for over 30 years. As a respected non-profit, charitable organization, we recognize Indigenous youth as experts in their own lives and strive to provide youth with programs and opportunities that are relevant and meaningful to them.

At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices. These philosophies are the grounding framework that shapes all of our decisions and every interaction we have with the youth we serve. Following these philosophies empowers our staff to meet youth where they are at, by giving them the ability to balance flexibility and structure. This allows us to meet our youth’s needs, and ensure that our youth experience a consistent quality of care across all UNYA programs. Our 5 key philosophies are:

• Trauma-Informed Practice
• Two-Eyed Seeing
• Harm Reduction Practice
• Youth/Person Centered Practice
• Culture as Therapy

Highlights of this opportunity:

As a member of the Mentorship Program team the Facilitator is responsible for matching Indigenous youth in the community with adult volunteer Mentors. This includes the recruiting of new volunteers and assessing an appropriate match with youth on the waitlist. Our program also hosts a monthly group activity and host training for Mentors throughout the year.

The facilitator reports directly to the Program Manager.  This position maintains a Monday- Friday Schedule with the majority of the shifts being between 9:00-5:00pm. Match meetings and monthly group events, training and interviewing are held in the evenings and your schedule would be adjusted to reflect a later start time and end time on these days.

Qualifications and Conditions:

1. 2 years of recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Experience working with the Indigenous community. Must demonstrate a good working knowledge of community resources in Vancouver, particularly youth & Indigenous-specific resources.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the family and social issues that Indigenous youth face today, including the generational impacts of the residential school system on families and communities.
3. Must demonstrate the ability to identify with mandate, policies and procedures of the organization.
4. Must have a criminal record check completed by and satisfactory to UNYA.
5. Proof of Covid19 vaccination will be required
6. Class 4 or 5 License and use of personal car is mandatory for this role.
7. Given the needs of the youth accessing our programs, priority will be given to qualified Indigenous, First Nations, Metis, Inuit candidates as per section 41 of the Human Rights code.

At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices.

At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Identify and establish contact with youth who may benefit from the program and respond to referrals to the program.
2. Recruit, assess, screen, orientate, train, and provide ongoing support and supervision for volunteer mentors.
3. Develop and implement recognition and retention strategies to ensure the ongoing engagement of volunteer mentors in the program.
4. Assist with the planning and implementation of program activities and training opportunities, focused primarily on providing culturally appropriate mentoring opportunities.
5. Gather information related to each youth through established interviewing techniques and questionnaires, observing the youth, and soliciting information from family and other professionals involved with the youth. Evaluate information, and develop and implement a match-plan.
6. Ensure the successful and appropriate match of a youth with a volunteer mentor by using UNYAs philosophy of care
7. Provide case management services and monitor youth’s progress; reassess the match with youth’s volunteer mentor and professional team on an ongoing basis to ensure youth is fully supported.
8. Provide skill development and education in areas such as in harm reduction, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, community resources and advocacy when a need is identified.
9. Create a safe space for all youth and staff by responding to behaviours and situations through a trauma informed lens, modelling respectful behaviour, and through thoughtful and fun interactions with staff and youth.
10. Establish and maintain a network of positive working relationships with other UNYA programs and other community programs/resources to ensure effective referrals and enhance access to a strong continuum of supports. Ensure that youth are being referred to appropriate services in the community, as individual needs require.  Provide information, advocacy, and support in the referral process for internal and external programs, as well as other supports in the community.
11. Maintain appropriate statistical records, logs, case files, and client reports in order to meet both UNYA and its funder’s requirements.
12. Maintain sound financial and office management. Oversee and monitor program expenditures, ensuring that the program remains within its allocated budgets.  Prepare and submit financial reports as required.
13. Positively and proactively address any concerns, incidents, or crises which affect youth participants, program operation and mandate, UNYA policies, and community relations.
14. Keep abreast of current social concerns and street trends, and as required, attend professional development activities in order to remain informed regarding issues affecting street-involved youth.
15. Consult with and report to the Mentorship Program Manager on a regular basis for ongoing assessment and refinement of the program.
16. Perform any other duty deemed necessary by the Mentorship Program Manager to ensure the safe, healthy, and productive operation of the Mentorship Program.
17. Performs other duties as assigned by the CEO.

What we offer:

• Compensation: $23.66 to $27.56 (based on years of service)
• 40 hours a week
• Comprehensive Benefits package
• Vacation, Sick, and Wellness days
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which consists of no-cost counselling services to UNYA staff
• Support from UNYA’s Elder in Residence for cultural and spiritual guidance or teachings
• Monthly Staff development

How to apply:

If you would like to become a part of this tremendous team, send a cover letter and resume indicating the position you are applying to the attention of the Hiring Manager at [email protected] Posting will close when position is filled. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

***We are an Indigenous youth organization whose mandate is to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth. We encourage qualified Indigenous – First Nations, Metis, and Inuit, applicants to apply. If you identify as Indigenous, please let us know in your application! Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.