Youth & Family Support Worker [Term Contract]

Job Title: Youth & Family Support Worker [Term Contract]

Program: Settlement

Position Class: Scale 6

Reports to: Family Team Lead

Hours: 37.5 hrs / week, Monday-Friday (8:30-4:30, some evenings required)

Type: Term Contract, Starting Oct 13, 2026 – Ending March 31, 2027

Wage Rate: $28.50 / hr + 6% vacation

About CVIMS:

Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS) is a non-profit settlement organization located in Nanaimo, B.C., Canada. Established in 1979, CVIMS provides support to newcomers and refugees. Services include settlement, employment, family, language and community programs. We are client-driven and committed to being accessible and responsive to, as well as reflective of, our diverse community.

Job Summary:

The Youth & Family Support Worker plays a vital role in aiding newcomer families, children, and youth by fostering strong partnerships between home, school, and community. They provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed services that promote the development of children and youth, family engagement, and inclusive learning environments. Working collaboratively with schools, community agencies, and families, the Youth & Family Support Worker facilitates workshops, provides information, referrals, and direct support to address settlement needs to provincially funded clients.

Key Responsibilities:

Family Engagement & Settlement Support

• Build positive relationships with newcomer families and support their engagement in children’s learning and development.
• Assist families in accessing school, settlement, language, healthcare and community services.
• Identify barriers faced by families within the school system and provide referrals to appropriate services.
• Advocate for children and families navigating educational, developmental or community support systems.
• Organize workshops, family events and educational activities that reflect funder requirements, community needs, and cultural diversity.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of children and families. Collect feedback to inform program evaluation and adjust strategies as needed to ensure positive outcomes for children, youth and families.
• Design, plan and deliver activities for school-aged children and youth throughout the year.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Collaborate closely with the CVIMS Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) and Case Management teams to ensure the needs of families are met, equipping them with information and resources to support their community integration.
• Liaise with educators and community partners to support families and youth in school settings.
• Participate in case conferences, team meetings and multidisciplinary planning processes as required.
• Provide mentorship and training to interns and volunteers involved in CVIMS programs.

Advocacy:

• Advocate on behalf of newcomer students and families to ensure equitable access to school and community services. Intervene in cases where students face barriers such as discrimination, bullying, or mental health concerns, and provide referrals to specialized services
• Collaborate with SD68 teachers, counsellors, and administrators to address individual student needs, ensuring culturally responsive and anti-oppressive practices are upheld.
• Facilitate cross-cultural dialogue between students, parents, and school staff to enhance understanding and reduce cultural barriers.

Documentation & Administration

• Maintain detailed client records, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with organizational policies and privacy legislation.
• Track client interactions, referrals, and program outcomes using agency databases and reporting systems.
• Support agency reporting by sharing success stories, program challenges, and accurate client data.
• Submit purchase requests, receipts and financial claims to the designated approvers.

Equity & Professional Practice

• Promote culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive practices in all aspects of service delivery.
• Ensure strict adherence to confidentiality, code of ethics and all other professional codes of conduct
• Work collaboratively as part of the CVIMS team to ensure agency and client success
• Follow CVIMS protocols for reporting and communication
• Participate in all staff meetings, training sessions and professional development opportunities.
• And such further duties and responsibilities as may be communicated by CVIMS from time to time.

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience:

• Post‐secondary diploma in Social Services, Child & Youth Care, or a related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.
• Minimum 2 years experience developing, planning and leading inclusive youth or family programming, preferably in a multicultural environment.
• Strong understanding of the Canadian education system and the unique challenges faced by newcomer students and families.
• Training in trauma-informed care, child/youth development, and anti-oppressive frameworks.
• Superior inter-personal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse communities among families. Excellent spoken and written English required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
• Class 5 driver’s license and own transportation required
• Vulnerable sector criminal record check on file with CVIMS required
• Training or demonstrated proficiency using client databases, Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, Teams, and other digital tools
• First Aid Level 1 certification required

Preferred Skills, Abilities, and Assets:

• Strong understanding of immigration processes, settlement challenges, systemic barriers and cultural adjustment processes.
• GBA+ certification is valued.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations, including historically marginalized groups.
• Fluency in a second language would be an asset.
• Accountable individual who adheres to agency polices and procedures.
• Attitudes and values in keeping with the CVIMS vision and goals.

Additional Information:

• Travel within Nanaimo Regional District and surrounding region will be required. Occasional travel to locations in other parts of British Columbia and/or Canada for purposes like professional development, networking, program delivery or conferences may also be required
• Some work outside of regular office hours, including evenings and weekends, will be required. Flex time schedules will be made to accommodate non-regular work hours. All overtime must be approved in advance
• This is full-time position, term contract position, 37.5 hrs / week, working a varied schedule.