Direct Support Worker

Job summary

The Direct Support Worker provides individualized care, life skills training, and behavioral support to children and youth in a residential setting. Responsibilities include crisis intervention, medication administration, and facilitating community-based activities while maintaining accurate documentation.

Job details

New Directions is a social service agency offering a wide range of resources and services that foster people’s hopes and dreams in their communities. Child Home Services (CHS) is one of the many programs offered by New Directions. This service area offers a range of home supports (i.e., family supports, foster home, group care homes, individualized homes, independent living, mentored living) to children, youth, and families who are dealing with challenges related to the experience of trauma and/or living with a disability. Our community-based resources are designed to support connection with family and community, a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities to engage in a meaningful life. We are currently seeking Direct Support Workers for a specialized home that is designed to assist children and youth to develop life skills, social skills and/or access community resources. Individual care and guidance is provided to align with the needs of the child/youth to assist with mental health issues, behavioral challenges, or addictions. We provide stabilization through predictable structures, clear expectations and positive behavior support. Position details as follows: SATURDAYSUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYWEEK 1OFFOFF7am-3pm7am-3pm7am-3pm7am-3pmOFF WEEK 27am-3pm7am-3pm7am-3pmOFF7am-3pm7am-3pm7am-3pm Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to): * Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team * Demonstrate skills in basic counselling, crisis intervention, conflict resolution and problem solving * Provide support with daily life skills, social skills and /or behaviour management. * Assist with building skills in basic cooking, money management, shopping, and safety skills. * Facilitate physical, recreational, educational, social and vocational activities, and maintain liaison with other agencies, professionals, government officials and the community. * Accompany and/or transport individuals to activities such as appointments, shopping, school, employment or leisure activities. * Recognize, analyze and deal with potential emergency situations such as individuals’ aggressive behaviour to minimize potential harm to the person and/or the public. * Administer medication to individuals in accordance with established policies and procedures. * Actively engage in harm reduction approaches * Ensure health and safety standards are maintained * Attend to the physical, emotional, and medical needs of the children or youth * Assist with personal care routines and be comfortable with changing briefs * Ensure that all required documentation is complete and accurate Qualifications: * High School Diploma or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates with post-secondary education in the area(s) of disability services, Youth Care Worker, and/or mental health * Minimum two (2) years experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or cognitive disabilities. Varying experience and education may be considered * Health Care Aide certification would be considered an asset * Excellent written and verbal communication skills * ASIST and/or Mental Health Training considered an asset * Demonstrated understanding of Trauma Informed Care * Ability to engage, coach, teach youth to learn daily living skills * Ability to manage complex behavioral situations * A valid Class 5 driver’s license is a requirement for this position * Scheduled hours can include days, evenings, weekend and overnights The salary range for this Full-time 1-year term 80-hour bi-weekly position is $17.3239 to $23.3888 per hour (equivalent to $36,033.71-$48,648.70 per annum), dependent upon education and/or experience. The successful candidate will be subject to Criminal Record Check, Adult and Child Abuse Registry Check, Prior Contact Checks; and must supply a satisfactory driver’s safety rating. The closing date for all applications September 22nd, 2026 We thank all applicants for their interest in New Directions, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Unfortunately, we cannot accept telephone inquiries. New Directions is committed to equity and diversity and especially welcomes applications from persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers to Canada. We strive for a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we support and contributes to the diversification of ideas. Accommodations for accessibility purposes are available for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. BACK-END CHC - Direct Support Worker (Term)

What you’ll do

The Direct Support Worker provides individualized care, life skills training, and behavioral support to children and youth in a residential setting. Responsibilities include crisis intervention, medication administration, and facilitating community-based activities while maintaining accurate documentation.

Requirements

Candidates must have a high school diploma, with preference given to those with post-secondary education in disability or youth services. A minimum of two years of experience working with individuals with intellectual or cognitive disabilities and a valid Class 5 driver's license are required.

Listed skills

• crisis intervention · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred
• Conflict Resolution · Preferred
• Personal Care · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Crisis intervention
• Conflict resolution
• Life skills coaching
• Behavior management
• Medication administration
• Trauma informed care
• Harm reduction
• Personal care
• Documentation
• Communication skills
• Problem solving
• Counseling
• Safety skills
• Mentoring
• Health And Safety Standards
• Trauma Informed Approaches
• Leisure And Recreation
• Valid Driver's License
• Mental Health
• Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Cooking
• Crisis Intervention
• Disabilities
• Problem Solving
• Life Skills Development
• Medication Administration
• Money Management
• Personal Care
• Positive Behavior Support
• Social Skills
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Trauma Care

Job areas

• Social Services
• Healthcare
• Administrative
• Direct Support Worker
• Caregiver / Personal Care Aide
• Companions and Valets
• Personal Care Aides
• Home Health and Personal Care Aides