Child And Youth Development Worker

Are you a changemaker? Come on INN!

Who Are We?
We’re an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. Inn from the Cold is the largest organization in the Calgary region dedicated to supporting families experiencing a housing crisis.

At Inn from the Cold, we offer more than a job; we provide an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Our values guide us — compassion, accountability, respect, inclusivity, courage, and innovation. We are driven by our vision of a thriving community where every child and family has a safe and stable place to call home.

We prioritize people, recognizing the uniqueness and worth of everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment to reconciliation and equity is not just a statement; it's a journey we're dedicated to, actively working alongside Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures. As a trauma informed organization, we create a safe and supportive environment, promoting healing and resilience.

We are a multidisciplinary team united by a shared vision, mission and values. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and we believe that diverse perspectives drive our success. It is this diversity and the respect and value we have for each other and our community that makes us stronger.

If this sounds like a place where you would want to work, please review the position below to see if there’s a fit with your skills and experience.

What Are We Looking For?

• Position Title Child and Youth Development Worker
• Job Type Fulltime
• Department Programs and Services
• Reports to Manager, Integrated Support Services

Position Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Child and Youth Development Worker to join our team at Inn from the Cold. You will provide child-minding, lead play-based programming, and support child and youth development through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. The weekly schedule will be between Monday – Saturday; 40 hours of work per week – times will vary according to need, including evenings.

What You’ll Do

• Provide both scheduled and emergent child-minding support for families staying in the shelter.
• Plan and lead developmentally appropriate activities for children and youth, using a trauma-informed and culturally safe approach.
• Facilitate interactive, family-focused workshops to strengthen caregiver-child relationships.
• Observe and support individual and group needs through play-based approaches in coordination with the CYD Case Manager.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with families and model healthy interactions and boundaries.
• Distribute welcome boxes and activity kits to families upon shelter intake.
• Collaborate closely with CYD team members and engage volunteers in program delivery when applicable.
• Maintain detailed and confidential documentation using systems such as HOMES, TEAMS, and shared drives.
• Uphold safety, privacy, and compliance standards, including FOIP and organizational protocols.
• Participate in required trainings and ongoing professional development to enhance your practice.

This position description reflects the general duties of the role, but is not intended to include all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Child and Youth Development worker may be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

What You Bring to Our Mission

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Level 1, 2, or 3 preferred) or equivalent education and experience in a related human services field.
• Demonstrated experience working with children, youth, and families, especially in vulnerable or high-stress contexts.
• Solid understanding of child development principles and ability to create safe, engaging play-based learning environments.
• Current First Aid with CPR and ASIST training (or willingness to complete upon hire).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly with children, youth, caregivers, and colleagues.
  
• Excellent time management, organizational skills, and professional judgment.
  
• Comfort with documentation and use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
  
• Knowledge of the impacts of poverty and homelessness on children and families.
  
• Ability to meet physical demands of the role, including bending, lifting (5–20kg), and active engagement with children.
  
• Clear Police Information Check and Child Intervention Check required.

What We Offer
We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable benefits and total compensation to all staff, including:

• Competitive salary, where all employees are paid a living wage at minimum
• Focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, annual health spending account and employer matched RRSP contributions
  
• Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program
  
• Work life balance, including paid vacation starting at three weeks, wellness days, and 12 paid statutory holidays
  
• Supportive and flexible work environment, with ongoing training and development opportunities
  
• Potlucks, celebrations, employee engagement initiatives and plenty of fun
  
• Strong commitment to advancing reconciliation, aligning with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  
• Recognition that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Our Commitment
Join us in a workplace where your actions contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering equity, and creating a truly inclusive and antiracist space. At Inn from the Cold, you're not just an employee but a crucial part of a community, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The INN is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is valued and prioritized. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about our mission and can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value unique perspectives and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of talents and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Join Our Team
We are excited to hear from you! We invite you to join our movement to end family homelessness in our city. If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the qualifications above, please submit your resume and cover letter by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

The successful candidate must satisfactorily complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until a successful candidate is found.

Inn from the Cold is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. To request an accommodation, please contact us at HR@innfromthecold.org before your interview.