Resource Specialist Family Services

Who We Are

For more than 130 years The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church each year we help more than 2 million people providing necessities such as food clothing and addition we support people experiencing unemployment addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission vision and values of hope service dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:

This position provides client centred care family support case management provides leadership for program initiatives administrative duties and organizational requirements.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Client-Centred Care /Case Management:

• Conducts client intake interviews and completes follow-up support with clients as determined.

• Develops relationships with clients to ensure individual needs are heard and addressed appropriately.

• Assists client to problem solve their own issues/concerns/crisis.

• Provides support and referrals while ensuring the clients dignity remains intact.

• Stays connected to other community agencies ensuring current knowledge is accurate for referrals and resources.

• Responds to community and client inquiries provides suggestions/information on appropriate resources and referrals.

• Works with clients to set goals based on their own identified needs and timelines as appropriate.

• Works collaboratively with community agencies to meet client needs.

2. Family Support:

• Hosts family planning meetings and interagency meetings as requested by families as well as case conferences to support families in navigating complex issues.

• Provides comprehensive assessment in collaboration with families.

• Utilizes a culturally sensitive approach engaging all methods of communication.

• Provides referrals as approved by families to support enhance and address any needs.

• Assists families in navigating systems and performs advocacy as necessary.

• Connects families with resources and services that include educational financial healthcare employment child and youth programs clinical services tax services financial literacy.

• Supports families involved with legal systems (child and family services family justice system etc.)

• Empowers parents in their child-rearing initiatives to strengthen parenting.

• Assists families in obtaining mental health and addiction resources and support when applicable.

• Assists immigrants and refugees in integrating into a new society including literacy community and all relevant supports to foster a sense of belonging.

• Prepares case plans with client-led goals and monitors client successes accordingly.

• Engages families in internal programming resources and supports.

• Encourages collaborative engagement with families and their identified supports.

• Works with community partners and stakeholders to streamline services for client and families.

• Builds self-efficacy client self-determination and strength-based assessments that are culturally relevant and congruent to the values of Salvation Army.

• Creates and implements family driven empowerment-based programming to strengthen family systems and mobilize clients towards better outcomes.

3. Program Support:

• May be required to assist with coordination of donations and supplies.

• May provide support for other position tasks.

• May evaluate programs and services for quality improvement.

• May be required to perform duties of other Community and Family Services positions.

4. Administrative:

• Enters and maintains data base client case notes may extract data from database for statistical purposes.

• Supports team members in upholding best practices and service to clients and sharing learnings and findings.

• Completes designated reporting requirements (including month ends statistics learning summaries).

• Completes appropriate paperwork as/when required (incident reports vacation requests etc.).

• Performs administrative tasks (i.e. filing photocopying email etc.) that support program objectives and/or delegated by supervisor.

• Attends and participates in meetings/events/committees (internal and external) as required.

• Gathers shares and maintains up to date resource information in determined format.

• Reviews policies procedures and program guidelines and provides suggestions for change or improvements.

• Supports orients and trains volunteers and students as required.

• May show work methods to new employees and/or mentor new employees.

• May be required to take/prepare meeting minutes.

• Writes letter of support and/or advocacy for client driven needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in an office within a community-based center.

• This is a regular full time position. Working hours are Monday to Friday - 12:30 PM - 9:00 PM

• Meets one-on-one with clients.

• May be required to utilize de-escalation approaches with irate irritable and potentially aggressive clients.

• May be required to support clients with mental health concerns within a collaborative team as determined by the client.

• May be required to deliver programming including workshops.

• May work within the community to meet clients and other resources.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of a two-year diploma in a related social service or mental health field (i.e. social work addictions).

• Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search.

• May require a Child intervention Check.

• Current Emergency First Aid with Level A or C CPR from an Alberta approved provider.

• Incumbents with a Social Work diploma or degree must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers.

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements:

• At least one year of prior related experience in frontline casework with an emphasis on mental health homelessness addictions or social services.

• Knowledgeable about and demonstrates understanding of barriers and struggles of low-income families and individuals.

• Knowledge of concurrent/co-occurring disorders including mental health diagnosis and addictions.

• Knowledge and understanding of the struggles of newcomers to Calgary.

• Computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel familiarity with databases as well as keyboarding skills.

• Well versed in understanding family dynamics and vulnerable populations.

• Knowledge of the impact of poverty and how it affects families communities and society.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

• Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Armys health and safety policies and procedures.

• Effectively builds trusting relationships to work effectively and support clients.

• Able to maintain confidentiality and professional ethics.

• Attention to detail and process oriented.

• Respond appropriately to crisis situations.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Able to effectively communicate with a range of service providers or agencies.

• Self-motivated able to work under pressure and manage time effectively prioritizing work tasks.

• Able to stay calm in stressful situations .

• Team player who works collaboratively and makes positive contributions to the team and supports co-workers.

• Exemplary ability to demonstrate compassion empathy and understanding.

• Engages in critical thinking high level of self-awareness recognizes bias and approaches clients with an appreciative inquiry.

• Sophisticated ability to assess risks and vulnerability while finding strengths and protective factors.

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions internal equity and candidate experience skills and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.