Child & Youth Behavioral Specialist – Back on Track Program
Position Title: Child & Youth Behavioral Specialist – Back on Track Program
Reports To: Director of Community Programs
Pay Grid: $21-$25/hour
Department: Community Programs
Hours: 37.5 hours/week (Temporary until June 25, 2027)
Our Culture:
YMCA of Southeastern Alberta strives to integrate our commitment to diversity and social inclusion in all that we do. We believe that strong leadership is created through the sharing of diverse experiences and perspectives. We actively seek candidates who embody these principles and who reflect the many dimensions of the communities we serve. We are a charitable organization that provides health and fitness opportunities, employment services, licensed childcare, and various community programs in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and Brooks. When you work at the YMCA, you’ll play an important part in building strong, thriving communities while positively impacting people’s lives. Join our team at the Y, a place where everyone belongs — including you!
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day, demonstrating our values in action.
We do the right thing.
We are caring, respectful, honest, and responsible in all that we do.
We put people first.
We believe in each other – honouring our strengths, diversity, perspectives, and passions.
We keep our promises.
We do what we say we will do.
We lead by example.
We are courageous, speaking with conviction and always willing to listen and collaborate.
What qualifications are we looking for?
At the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta, we strive to ensure our employees are a good fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education/Certifications/Credentials/Professional Registration
• Diploma/Degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care Counselling related field
• Child Development Certificate (Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 are preferred however on the job
• training and support to obtain your level 1 will be provided)
• 2-3 years’ experience in youth intervention work
• Standard Child Care First Aid with CPR Level C
• Evidence of a clear Police Information Check (with Vulnerable Sector Search if applicable), within the last six months
• Must have a valid driver’s license with a class 07 automobile insurance coverage business use (or pleasure with occasional business use) and a minimum of $2,000,000 in liability coverage
• Child Intervention Check
Knowledge & Skills
• Ability to utilize a strengths-based approach to support children and adolescents in their success in their programs
• Ability to act professionally in all situations, representing the YMCA according to its core values
• Able to deal with difficult situations and complaints with confidence as well as the ability to deescalate situations as needed
• Excellent customer services, organization, case management and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and Leadership skills
• Self-motivated with the ability to direct personal performance to achieve desired results without constant direct supervision
• Knowledge of Healthy childhood development and effective behavioral intervention strategies for children and youth
• Ability to plan, organize and implement daily programming
• Ability to actively participate and lead children in a variety of activities
• Knowledge of Alberta Child Care Act and Regulations
What does this role look like at the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta?
Under the supervision of the Director of Community Programs, the Back on Track Behavior Specialist provides support to children/youth while they attend our Back on Track program. This program offers support to high school students, who, for various reasons, have been suspended from school. This program runs during the school year for 10 months, during the summer 2 months this position will work in our Camp Jude licensed day camp for school-aged children.
The responsibilities and duties of this role will include but is not limited to:
Customer Service
• Attend all YMCA staff meetings and trainings as required
• Provide support to children and youth as they participate in Camp Jude programs
• Provide excellent communication and customer service to parents, guardians, and the community
YMCA Values
• Ensure all programing promotes inclusivity, equality and kindness.
• Consistently recognize the accomplishments of the children/youth
• Act as a mentor and positive role model to children at all times, demonstrating healthy boundaries and YMCA values
• Demonstrate cultural competency and the ability to work respectfully with diverse people
Teamwork
• Working collaboratively with educators, parents, schools, and other representatives from the YMCA to ensure that the needs of the children/youth in program are met
• Maintain strong partnerships with partnering schools
• Participate in the annual Y Connect campaign
• Work effectively within the Community team, contributing to its overall success by:
• Promoting the YMCA’s annual Y Connect Campaign
• Promoting and/or attending YMCA events
• Contributing to a positive and healthy workplace culture
• Other duties to assist the team, as assigned
Standards that Shine
• Achieve all quality standards and targets established under YMCA best practices and the YMCA’s Standards that Shine
• General cleaning as required around the facility
• Ensuring all staff are aware of Standards that Shine, and work with them to create a culture of excellence in adherence to guidelines and expectations outlined by the Standards that Shine.
Interpersonal/Communication Skills
• Ensuring communication with caregivers/guardians is ongoing and strengths-based
• Communicate effectively and professionally with all families, children, school staff, YMCA staff and the community
• Consult with Director of Community Services to regularly reflect on, and improve, service delivery
• Intervenes with secondary school students on an individual basis and in a group setting
Quality of Work
• Facilities daily group workshops on social or behavioral issues, supervise and support students assigned school work
• Ensure the use of Healthy Child Development concepts in program planning
• Meet the unique needs of each child using the strategies, skills and knowledge learned during training
• Collect monthly stats and submit monthly reports and stats to Director of Community Programs
• Seek out personal professional development opportunities
• Respond to behavioral issues in a way consistent with the YMCA values and training to support children’s success
• Support children who have experienced trauma to develop emotional regulation skills, prosocial skills, and problem-solving skills
• Support creative problem solving and the creation of robust strategies that support the children to be successful while engaging in camp activities
• Support the children in the community to be successful by modeling pro-social skills and behavior while engaging in appropriate play and activities
• Understand healthy child development, and use this knowledge to plan activities to meet the developmental needs of the children
• Understand physical literacy, and use this knowledge to plan activities to meet the children’s gross motor development
• Engage in play with the children to develop healthy relationships while supporting the development of pro-social skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, dramatic play, etc.
• Always provide a safe and positive environment for all children which supports their development and ability to grow
• Facilitate and engage children in planned activities during Camp Jude operations
• Ensure that the Camp Jude program space is set up in a way that supports supervision and trauma informed practices, while remaining clutter free and safe for the children
Compliance with Legislation and YMCA Policies and Procedure
• Ensuring that licensing regulations are always maintained in all assigned sites
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations including YMCA policies and procedures, AHS health regulations, etc.
• Ensuring the YMCA’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures are followed at all times
• Report all critical incidents at assigned sites immediately to The Director of Community Programs
• Review policies at all assigned sites on a monthly, rotating basis (includes all YMCA of
• Southeastern Alberta Policies & Procedures, including Child Protection and Health & Safety)
• Be familiar with each child’s health status, including allergies and emergency medications. This includes knowing where the medications are stored, and how to administer them if necessary
• Ensure the Ensure all health and safety procedures are always followed, this includes preventative cleaning of toys, fire safety procedures, emergency procedures, etc.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
• Work in loud noisy environment
• May be going from standing to seating positions, from standing to kneeling positions, from kneeling to standing positions, from seating to standing positions for most of the working day, there will be walking throughout the day
• May lift or move items up to 50 lbs including children
• May be exposed to all weather conditions while working outside
• May be exposed to children or adults who may not be vaccinated
• May be exposed to verbal/physical abuse from external and internal clients
The Benefits to Joining our Team:
• Paid wellness days after 3-month probationary period
• Paid Birthday and Employment Anniversary Date
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Health Plus Membership with 15% discount for family members
Please Apply:
With a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references (email addresses and phone numbers) who can attest to your character and previous work and/or volunteer performance.
Please send application packages to:
Becky Verishine, Director of Community Programs
YMCA of Southeastern Alberta
525 2nd St SE