Employment Opportunity
Youth Peer Support & Lived Experience Worker
Full-Time (40 Hours/Week) | 2-Year Contract
Sunday-Thursday 7:00 am- 3:00 pm
Class 5 driver’s license required
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 the Urban Native Youth Association (UNYA), we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices and Indigenous ways of knowing. These philosophies are the grounding framework that shape 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 while balancing flexibility and structure. This allows us to meet youth's needs and ensure 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
Are you passionate about supporting Indigenous youth through your own lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connection?
Do you believe that healing happens through relationships, hope, and authentic connection?
Are you looking to be part of a team that values lived and living experience as equal to formal education and professional training?
If you said yes, then this opportunity may be for you!
- Join an organization committed to developing the leaders of tomorrow and creating meaningful pathways from youth participant to mentor, staff member, and community leader.
- Bring your lived/living experience, cultural knowledge, and personal strengths into a role where your story and growth can help inspire hope and healing for Indigenous youth.
- Contribute to a team focused on increasing stabilization, belonging, healing, and empowerment for youth.
- Work within a culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and harm reduction-based treatment program that values authenticity, relationships, and community connection.
- Participate in Indigenous protocols, ceremonies, cultural activities, and healing practices.
- Support youth through daily programming, life skills development, conflict resolution, advocacy, and goal setting.
- Share responsibility for the daily operations of Young Bears Lodge, including programming support, meal preparation, documentation, and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
About Young Bears Lodge
Young Bears Lodge (YBL) is a Indigenous-specific, culturally based youth residential addictions treatment program designed for Indigenous youth aged 13–18. Rooted in the principles of decolonization and cultural responsiveness, YBL aims to provide a safe and transformative space for Indigenous youth seeking to reshape their relationship with drugs and alcohol. YBL offers a culturally responsive approach to youth addictions treatment, emphasizing holistic healing, family and community integration, and the celebration of cultural milestones. The program's commitment to decolonization, continuous improvement, and collaboration sets it apart as a unique and invaluable resource for Indigenous youth in need.
The Youth Care Counsellor will strive to increase stabilization and foster empowerment and belonging for youth within a supportive, culturally-focused environment. YBL Staff provide time-limited treatment in a structured, substance-free environment that blends cultural and therapeutic groups with individual programming to support youth through a harm-reduction and trauma-informed service model.
Our Commitment to Lived and Living Experience (previously Relevance of lived/living experience)
At UNYA, lived and living experience has always been recognized as equal to, and alongside, formal education and professional training. We understand that knowledge is gained in many ways: through personal experiences, cultural teachings, community connection, work experience, leadership, and formal learning. This is not a new approach. Supporting youth to grow into staff, leaders, and mentors has always been part of how UNYA operates. Many members of our team bring lived experience that strengthens their ability to connect with youth in meaningful, authentic, and culturally safe ways.
In this role, lived and living experience is valued because it:
- Builds trust, connection, and authenticity with youth.
- Demonstrates hope and the possibility of change through shared understanding.
- Supports non-judgmental, relational approaches to care.
- Reflects Indigenous ways of knowing, where lived experience, storytelling, and community knowledge are respected sources of wisdom.
- Strengthens our ability to provide culturally responsive and relevant support.
All staff, regardless of how they have gained their experience, are held to the same standards of care, professionalism, accountability, and commitment to youth wellbeing.
Qualifications and Conditions
- This role is for applicants who have unique first hand experience gained by individuals who have navigated health, addictions or marginalization. Applicants may also have Education in child and youth care or addictions, a degree/diploma/certificate in a related field, or a combination of lived/living experience, work experience, Cultural knowledge and teachings. Preference for experience working with Indigenous youth. UNYA has always taken an equitable approach to qualifications. We recognize that experience is gained in multiple ways and value all experience equally
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, coupled with strong relationship-building, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention abilities.
- A strong spirit of collaboration, dependability, positivity, and a genuine passion for supporting youth.
- Experience working within Indigenous communities and knowledge of Indigenous-specific and youth-serving resources in Vancouver.
- Knowledge and understanding of the social issues affecting Indigenous youth today, including the ongoing impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and the residential school system.
- Demonstrated ability to align with the mandate, philosophies, policies, and procedures of UNYA.
- Must have a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check completed and satisfactory to UNYA.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.
- Must possess current First Aid, Food Safe, and TB Test certification, and be willing to adhere to licensing requirements, including annual flu vaccination requirements.
- Given the needs of the youth accessing our programs, priority will be given to qualified Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit applicants in accordance with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Supervised youth residents in their day-to-day living, including establishing a trusting, non-judgmental, non-exploitative rapport with youth. Actively support residents and ensure ongoing and meaningful youth engagement in all aspects of programming.
2. Work in cooperation with others (including Lodge staff, other UNYA programs and community partners) as needed to plan, implement, supervise, and evaluate individual supports, daily and weekly programming, workshops, and group outings (cultural, social, educational & recreational). Positively participate in programming and activities in order to demonstrate positive role modeling for youth.
3. In collaboration with the team, plan, develop and deliver dynamic and engaging, youth-driven and culturally-appropriate programming. Educate youth in regards to safe health practices.
4. Maintain the day-to-day operations of YBL, including shopping, meal preparation, support, cleaning, and maintenance.
5. Perform diverse administrative tasks, including: maintaining accurate logs and case files, compiling statistical records, and assisting in the completion of reports, as needed to support program needs and inform ongoing program assessment and evaluation.
4. Ensure cultural integration in all aspects of programming while focusing on the family systems perspective, which addresses surrounding systems that impact (positively or negatively) the health and wellbeing of youth.
5. Help to develop, maintain, and promote diverse partnerships to maximize programming opportunities and supports available to youth.
6. Assist youth in connecting to safe supportive services and programs and facilitate their access to other cultural support in the community.
7. Consult with youth and other appropriate individuals to identify the needs and goals of individual youth. Ensure that case plans as identified are implemented effectively. Ensure the ongoing utilization of appropriate community referral networks.
8. Perform diverse administrative tasks, including: maintaining accurate logs and case files, compiling statistical records, and assisting in the completion of reports, as needed to support program needs and inform ongoing program assessment and evaluation.
9. Consult with and report to direct supervisor(s) on a regular basis
10. Actively assist in ongoing development and review of program components. Positively address concerns, incidents or crises which may affect program mandate, UNYA policies, personal issues, community relationships, resident youth, etc.
11. Respect and assure youth of confidentiality in the community and with other service professionals. Respect and maintain the confidentiality of staff issues within the team, with the exception of direct supervisor(s) and Director of Clinical Programs
What we offer:
· $29.30/per hour
· 40 hours a week
· Comprehensive Benefits package
· Paid 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
· Regular team check-ins and debriefs
· Weekly staff meetings with YCC’s, Leadership & Director
· Flexible approaches where possible to support staff wellbeing
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] 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.
UNYA acknowledges that we are gathered on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and selílwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured and grateful to be able to do our work on this land.
Pay: $29.30 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
