Youth Care Specialist

Calgary, AB
On-site
Posted Oct 17, 2026
1 position

$25 / hour

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Mid-level · 2+ years
Minimum education: Professional degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The Youth Care Specialist facilitates success for youth with complex mental health and behavioral needs by supporting daily routines and implementing treatment plans. They are responsible for managing crises, ensuring safety, and fostering skill development within a structured therapeutic environment.

Job details

About the Position: This permanent full-time position works closely with a team of professionals to support youth in a Community Group Home. Utilizing the Teaching Family Model, the Youth Care Specialist’s primary responsibility is to facilitate success for youth with complex mental health and behaviour needs by assisting with their day to day activities and routines. Typical youth behaviors may include aggression, running away, self-harm or suicide attempts. Schedule: This role typically follows a 4-on, 4-off rotation, which involves switching between 12.5-hour day and night shifts (6:45 AM/PM to 7:15 PM/AM). Because we operate 24/7, all staff must be available to work any day of the week. Right now, PCC is looking for additional support for daytime shifts in particular, though flexibility to work days or nights would still be required as an ongoing expectation. Please note that the Intervention Record Check (IRC) from Children and Family Services and Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check (PIC) are one of the non-negotiable compliance requirements for all Closer to Home employees before an offer letter can be issued. We highly encourage all applicants to apply for the IRC and PIC before the interview as it can take up to 6 weeks to process. Please apply for the IRC (free of cost) here and the PIC with Vulnerable Sector Check ($75) here. Please refer to the Qualifications section for the rest of the requirements. Responsibilities: Responsible for youth’s acquisition of relevant skills to live safely and thrive in the community, supporting youth with their daily routine such as going to school, attending appointments or visiting family. Supporting a therapeutic based approach to treatment. Maintaining a structured setting, fostering skill development. Managing crises, ensuring high levels of supervision to promote safety. Assisting youth with scheduled activities and appointments and providing relief coverage to other homes as needed. Work collaboratively with a transdisciplinary team in the formation and implementation of treatment plans to ensure treatment strategies are effectively implemented. Managing crises and helping co-regulate youth when escalated and/or distressed. Conduct assessments, collect client information for documentation and and critical incident reports. Participate in individual supervision, team meetings and ongoing training. Driving for household errands, transporting youth or moving between work locations as needed. Ability to manage a crisis situation in a therapeutic manner, and, if necessary, intervene physically in a manner that reduces the risk of harm to children and staff. Willing to work alongside service animals and/or pets. Qualifications: Experience working with individuals with complex needs/behaviours and multiple diagnosis (ADD, ADHD, Trauma, FASD, ODD, addictions, mental health, etc.). Responsible, diligent and dependable, an exceptional role model. Extremely detail oriented, organized and can manage multiple priorities at one time. Compassionate individual with a positive, strength-based and empathetic approach. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Eager to participate in continuous learning and carry out the principles and philosophy of Closer to Home and the Teaching Family Model. A Diploma or Degree in a related field and experience working in residential and community group care setting (A combination of education and experience will be considered). Requirements: Access to a personal vehicle for work-related travel (mileage reimbursed per CRA and Closer to Home policy). Proof of a valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s license and a clean 3-year driver's abstract. Willingness to maintain $2 million liability insurance on your personal vehicle and consent to potential annual driver's abstract reviews. A valid Standard First Aid certificate with Level C CPR. Ability to provide a clean Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search and an Intervention Record Check prior to your start date. Open availability to work a shift rotation including days, evenings, awake overnight shifts, weekends and holidays. Required Competencies All positions at Closer to Home Community Services require (5) competencies: Instills Trust, Consumer Focus, Communicates Effectively, Situational Adaptability and Ensures Accountability. Closing Date: Until suitable candidate is found We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information on our organization, please visit our website at www.closertohome.com. In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that we are gathered on the ancestral lands of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), which is comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and Amskapi Piikani Nations, and the shared territories of the Tsuut’ina Nation and Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, all of whom are the original signatories of the Blackfoot Treaty #7 in Southern Alberta. We also recognize Mohkinstsis (Calgary) as a home to members of the Metis Settlements and communities within Alberta.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates must possess a diploma or degree in a related field and have experience working with individuals with complex needs. Essential requirements include a valid Class 5 driver's license, a clean driver's abstract, Standard First Aid with Level C CPR, and the ability to pass a Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check.