Cultivate a Safe, Supportive Environment for Youth to Heal
At Nightwind Treatment Centre, we believe every young person can succeed when given the right support, structure, and relationships. Many of the youth we support have experienced trauma, loss, or instability, meaning their sense of safety has often been compromised. Healing cannot happen without a foundation of physical and emotional security.
Our Safety Support Workers are essential to creating this secure, trauma-informed environment. Rather than acting as traditional security, you are a regulating, grounding presence in the home. You help maintain the peaceful rhythm of the house, proactively support de-escalation, and ensure that youth feel protected, respected, and understood.
What You’ll Do
Safety Support Workers ensure the well-being of the youth and the therapeutic environment by:
- Acting as a calm, regulating, and approachable presence for both youth and staff
- Proactively monitoring the home and grounds to ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment
- Utilizing trauma-informed verbal de-escalation techniques to support youth navigating moments of crisis, high stress, or emotional dysregulation
- Building trusting, non-punitive relationships with youth, demonstrating that “safety” means support and care, not enforcement or control
- Conducting routine safety checks of the facility and perimeters
- Collaborating closely with Youth Care Workers to assist with daily transitions and support the team during critical incidents
- Communicating effectively with team members and completing accurate, objective incident documentation
Work Environment
This role takes place in a residential treatment / group care setting and requires high situational awareness and active engagement with youth throughout the shift. Shifts may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays (Overnight and evening presence is a critical component of this role). Program location is: STONY CREEK 240068 TWP RD 620, Athabasca County, AB T9S 1R3
Who Thrives in This Role
Successful Safety Support Workers are highly observant, exceptionally calm under pressure, and do not take escalating behaviours personally. You understand that challenging behaviour is often a trauma response (fight, flight, or freeze) and know how to respond with empathy and strong, healthy boundaries. You thrive when working as part of a team and find purpose in being the steady, reliable anchor for youth on their hardest days.
Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include:
- Experience working with Indigenous children and youth
- Knowledge of Indigenous culture and communities
- Certification or strong familiarity with Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), TCI, Mandt or similar verbal de-escalation and crisis management training
- 1+ years experience working with high-needs youth, children in care, or in a trauma-informed safety/support capacity
- Diploma or Degree in Child and Youth Care, Human Services, or related fields is an asset
If you believe that a safe environment and a calm, consistent presence can change the course of a young person’s life, we encourage you to join our team.
