MYS is honoured to be situated on Indigenous lands where we work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous families, staff and communities. Our offices and homes are located on Ininew, Anishinaabe, Dene, Oji-Cree and Dakota land and in the homeland of the Metis Nation. Our head office is located on Treaty 1 territory and our homes and sub offices are located throughout Treaty 2 and Treaty 5 territories. We acknowledge the harms that our work, rooted in colonial systems, has caused and we are dedicated to correcting our mistakes by listening, learning from and cooperating with Indigenous communities and families in a spirit of truth, respect, collaboration and reconciliation.

Macdonald Youth Services is hiring! Come grow with us and support the strengthening of family connections while enhancing your own personal & professional growth. We seek candidates who promote family preservation and strength-based community connectedness through a trauma-informed, relational approach, compassionate and anti-oppression lens.

Macdonald Youth Services is looking for a Residential Support Mentor within the Healing Homes service area. A Resident Support Mentor provide independent living supports to young adults who may have intellectual disabilities and/or mental health issues, and who experience barriers to living independently in the community. Being an active role model. Empowering individuals to gain and maintain independent living situations.

Primary responsibilities of the Residential Support Mentor include, but are not limited to:

• Support residents with the preparation, implementation and follow through of the Person Centered Plan in conjunction with the support network
• Maintain positive and effective communication with residents, families, supervisors, agencies, coworkers and community at large
• Support residents with their person centered planning process; assist residents with the managements of their personal funds; assist the residents to manage within their financial limits; assist in the management of household funds where required
• Attend to residents’ physical, emotional and medical care, support and model the expected behavior of self-care, encourage the positive outcome; encourage and assist each resident to participate in the daily living activities and responsibilities of their personal lives
• Complete necessary documentation and records accurately in accordance with policy and procedures, Residential Care Licensing and Family Services requirements; individual Logs, Communication logs and daily reports, financial records, medical information (seizure, health, MAR sheet, medical appointments)
• Ensure property maintenance, ensure compliance with fire safety regulations, following proper hygiene and hazardous waste disposal requirement, and report and attend to unsafe conditions and equipment.
• Complete risk assessment for the individuals; ensure safe food intake, support them in preparation of food, supervise them in identified risk areas
• Be a team player; participate in all staff meetings, participate in professional development; form a positive supportive relationship with other staff members
• Assist in the training and orientation of new staff; act as a positive role model, act as a resource, include new staff as a team player, give and receive feedback and encouragement

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following competencies, which incorporate the Seven Sacred Teachings;

Bravery/Courage – Bear

• Continuously seek opportunities that benefit youth by taking initiative and championing new ideas.
• Initiate creative planning and problem solving: be an advocate for positive change.
• Actively advocate for youth, both within the shelter and throughout the various systems that have an impact on the lives of our youth.
• Demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing circumstances or conditions with flexibility and compassion.

Respect – Buffalo

• Build positive and caring relationships with youth, focusing on meeting their needs in all four directions of the medicine wheel.
• Build positive and caring relationships with other staff members, based on mutual respect.
• Acknowledge and advocate for teachings and/or spiritual practices and beliefs, and incorporate them into daily living whenever possible.

Honesty – Saabe

• Perform with good intention, take responsibility, and follow through on commitments.
• Demonstrate effective communication by sharing information, asking questions, and active listening.
• Role model positive practices and ethics with an ability to represent the organization in a positive manner.

Love – Eagle

• Role model healthy, caring, and respectful relationships.
• Recognize the gifts that all people bring and allow people to share those gifts, even if different from our own understanding.
• Show an understanding of love in the form of appropriate and effective self-care strategies.

Wisdom – Beaver

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the impacts of inter-generational and historical trauma, colonization and the impacts of residential schools.
• Demonstrate respect, knowledge, and awareness of Indigenous cultures, languages, traditions, and ways of being and knowing
• Demonstrate knowledge of the impacts of the Child and Family Services and Community Living Disability systems, particularly in the context of Indigenous communities

Humility – Wolf

• Understand that youth come to us with complex histories, stories and needs. Demonstrate clear understanding of personal triggers and biases in order to not take youths behaviours personally.
• Demonstrate critical self-reflection, an ongoing willingness to learn, and an understanding of power and privilege (race, ability, sexuality, gender, as staff members, etc.) and how our positionality impacts our work with youth.

Truth – Turtle

• Gather relevant information, recognize patterns and themes in the data, generate and consider multiple alternatives and make decisions in a timely manner.
• Analytical and critical thinker, particularly in regard to engaging and planning youth

Additional Qualifications:

• Essential: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Post-secondary education in human services (social work, psychology, etc.) or in the area of disability services, addictions, mental health and related education.
• Have read the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
• Experience working with people with intellectual disabilities, or over 3 year-experience in a related residential support role; or a combine of education and related experience
• Knowledge of FASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, Borderline Personalities, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder would be an asset
• Effective problem-solving ability & strong communication skills
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to provide personal care to participants is sometimes a job requirement
• A valid Class 5 driver’s license is also a requirement. Access to a vehicle is required. A current Driver’s Abstract must be provided
• First Aid & CPR is required, certificate in NVCI/MANDT and ASSIST is preferred; willingness to attend workshops and training programs is required

Salary Range: Depending on qualifications, per annum.

Hours of Work: This position is required to work a variety of shifts including days, evenings, weekends and holidays.

Please forward a cover letter and resume (in word or PDF format) to careers@mys.mb.ca.

MYS is an equal opportunity employer, Indigenous people, women, visible minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. MYS is committed to developing and retaining a diverse workforce. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. For further information about our other employment and volunteer opportunities please visit our website www.mys.ca/careers.