Outreach Parenting Worker FT/Temporary (12 months)

Job Summary:

The Outreach Parenting Worker assesses clients and their families’ needs and assists the family to complete goals related to parenting needs and family functioning from a strengths-based and culturally appropriate approach. This position supports parents in learning new parenting skills and establishing household routines. A key component of this job is to set goals in conjunction with the family and referring Social Worker (if applicable). Assessing the developmental or environmental needs of children and providing feedback is also a key part of this position

Reports to: Assigned Program Team Leader - Family Strengthening

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts intakes with parents and referring Social Worker or Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) Clinician / Outreach Worker, if applicable, to establish clear parenting goals and reasons for referral.
• Gathers information and assesses family functioning and child development needs by interviewing, observing, using a variety of inventories, checklists and/or questionnaires.
• Reports findings on the above to Social Worker, if referral by a Social Worker or CYMH Clinician / Outreach Worker.
• Determines the level of knowledge/awareness of the parent (i.e., parenting skills, childhood development) and supports parents with hands-on suggestions.
• Makes necessary referrals to AIDP (Aboriginal Infant Development Program), helps connect clients with community professionals, doctor/pediatrician, schools, etc.
• Provides outreach support to clients in the clients’ homes and in the community to establish routines and connect with resources. Evaluates client’s needs related to family functioning and develops plans and provides support, guidance and problem-solving to clients to meet such needs. Ensures that clients and/or their families actively participate in the program planning.
• Supports parents in learning new parenting skills, establishing household routines, and developing coping skills. Goal setting is done in conjunction with the family and referring social worker or CYMH Clinician / Outreach Worker, during care team meetings if applicable.
• Recognizes concerns and emergency situations, analyzes situations accurately and develops strategies to deal with such situations. Reports all concerns to the team leader. If it is a child protection concern the worker will make a child protection report immediately to the appropriate reporting office, in consultation with the Team Leader.
• Reviews and evaluates clients’ progress and adjusts support plan as required. Provides feedback and support to clients and/or their families and social worker or CYMH Clinician / Outreach Worker about progress in meeting identified goals.
• Maintains and completes written reports regarding clients’ progress as well as case notes. Ensures that all required documentation is up to date and accurate.
• Identifies community resources that will meet clients’ needs. Provides liaisons with other agencies, professionals, and government officials in the community.
• In collaboration with team members, the outreach worker will facilitate a two-hour support circle to strengthen relationships between parents and their children, and to support parents who are experiencing parent/teen conflict.
• Arranges/assists participants of the program with transportation as needed.
• Consults with Team Leader on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as required.

Job Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in a related human/social service field.
• At least two years of previous work experience is required. Direct program delivery experience is required, specifically in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of the community-based program and related provincial and community support is preferred.
• Specific program, legislation/policy, provincial and other government frameworks and systems, labour relations or professional knowledge may be required.

Job Skills and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of Indigenous issues
• Understanding of drug and alcohol issues and the impact on families
• Excellent oral, written facilitation and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated teamwork skills.
• Good time and general management skills
• Ability to work effectively with program staff, volunteers, non-profit or publicly funded groups / agencies, MCFD and other organizations
• Knowledge of Child development milestones

Additional Information:

• This position requires the ability to function independently frequently under pressure while managing multiple concurrent projects and deadlines, including effectively managing emergency situations. Program delivery activities may require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the duties of the position.
• May be required to work outside core business hours (evenings/weekends).

Core Competencies:

Indigenous Relations Behavioural Competencies

• Cultural Agility is the ability to work respectfully, knowledgeably, and effectively with Indigenous people. It is noticing and readily adapting to cultural uniqueness in order to create a sense of safety for all. It is openness to unfamiliar experiences, transforming feelings of nervousness or anxiety into curiosity and appreciation. It is examining one's own culture and worldview, and the culture of Métis Family Services, and to notice their commonalities, and distinctions with Indigenous cultures, and worldviews. It is recognition of the ways that personal and professional values may conflict or align with those of Indigenous people. It is the capacity to relate to or allow for differing cultural perspectives and being willing to experience a personal shift in perspective. Effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.

Behavioural Competencies

• Results Driven concern for surpassing a standard of excellence. The standard may be one’s own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective measure (achievement orientation); challenging goals that one has set; or even improving or surpassing what has already been done (continuous improvement).
• Teamwork and Co-operation is the ability to work co-operatively with diverse teams, work groups, and across the organization to achieve group and organizational goals. It includes the desire and ability to understand and respond effectively to other people from diverse backgrounds with diverse views.
• Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve customers/clients, who may include the public, co-workers, other branches, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one's efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.
• Seeking and Using Feedback involves recognizing that improving performance and authenticity can occur through a reciprocal relationship. This requires an acknowledgement that here is an opportunity for mutual learning and development and levels the field in what is brought to supervision. Reciprocal learning can require active listening and modeling personal change in order to foster trust.
• Decisive Insight combines the ability to draw on one’s own experience, knowledge and training and effectively problem-solve increasingly difficult and complex situations. It involves breaking down problems, tracing implications and recognizing patterns and connections that are not obviously related.
• Reflective Practice is the ability to critically assess how one’s values, beliefs, ethics and culture influence decisions and relationships. An ability to demonstrate exemplary behaviour and curiosity regarding the perspectives of others, results in appropriate boundaries and insightful practice.
• Responsive Learning is facilitated through multiple approaches to encourage a deepening and expanding of skill sets with a view to continuing to build expertise that result in improved individual and organization outcomes.
• Handling crisis involves effectively managing risks and crises and handling public relations.

Rate of pay: JJEP Wage Grid Level 12: $29.17 to $33.49

Start date: As soon as possible.

Please apply for this position from our website at the following link

This position requires union membership.

Metis Family Services thanks all applicants for their interest in this career opportunity; however, only those considered for the position will be contacted.