Social Worker

Are you a Social Worker driven to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals? Do you believe in meeting people where they’re at and walking alongside them in their wellness journey?
Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where you can advocate for clients and connect them with essential services? If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

What We Do

Since , The Alex has been a community-based, not-for-profit organization providing integrated primary health care, community support services, and housing-focused programs to individuals and families who experience barriers to accessing traditional health, housing, and social service systems. Services are grounded in principles of health equity, low-barrier access, trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, harm reduction, and person-centered care.

The Community Health Clinic provides team-based primary health care and integrated social supports for individuals and families of all ages experiencing barriers to accessing traditional services, with a focus on comprehensive wraparound care that addresses medical, mental health, and social needs.

Reporting to the Team Lead, Community Programs, and working collaboratively with the broader team of professionals at The Alex, the Social Worker is responsible for using a variety of approaches to support Alex clients to develop a goal/care plan to help clients address identified needs, achieve goals, improve outcomes, and move forward with their lives as quickly as is reasonable.

This is a contract, full-time position for 18 months until February 25, .

What You Will Do:

• In collaboration with clients, develop a service plan that is strength based, client centered, and trauma informed.
• Arrange, coordinate, and advocate for delivery and access to a range of programs and services designed to meet client needs and goals.
• Monitor client progress towards their personal goals, and improved outcomes and quality of life.
• Connect, accompany and provide clients to appropriate services and resources in the community, at home, or at The Alex, as required.
• Coordinate service providers, ensuring a smooth delivery of service.
• Complete, collect, and assist with data collection and entry as directed.
• Ensure timely communication with all service agencies providing service to our clients.
• Provide crisis support and solution-focused brief counselling and motivational interviewing.
• Maintain client confidentiality and clear boundaries.
• Represent the program and the agency in the community in a professional manner.
• Work collaboratively with all team members to provide excellent service and achieve program outcomes.
• Facilitate and/or support group programs and drop-in services as directed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What You Bring:

• Diploma or Undergraduate degree in Social Work is required.
• Active registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers is required.
• Experience working with vulnerable clients.
• Commitment to data collection.
• Strong crisis management and communication skills with the ability to engage clients.
• Strong advocacy skills.
• Ability to confidently and comfortably administer questionnaires that include sensitive questions and maintaining boundaries while doing so.
• Ability to receive direction and collaborate with others to achieve agreed upon goals.
• Ability to work in a changing, sometimes demanding work environment.
• Skills in assessment, support and intervention, consultation, crisis counselling and advocacy.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as with a team.
• Training in any of the following is considered an asset: Applied Suicide Intervention Training, Mental Health First Aid, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, and Motivational Interviewing.
• A good understanding of Indigenous issues including strong cultural knowledge and ceremonial experience is an asset.
• The ability to collaborate and network within the urban Indigenous community including working effectively with Elders and following traditional protocols.
• Proficiency in an Indigenous language is considered an asset.
• Class 5 driver’s license, personal vehicle for business use, clean 3-year drivers abstract, and $2 million liability coverage are required.
• First Aid (Basic or Intermediate) – Level C CPR & AED within 30 days of hire date; certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire.
• A satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal record clearance and child welfare intervention check are required.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action is preferred.

Work Environment and Hours:

• The Alex Community Health Centre: – 2 Ave SE, Calgary, AB.
• 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours/week).
• Standard hours are 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
• Continuous extended periods of sitting, with some standing and walking (sometimes up or down stairwells).
• Occasional physical action requires the ability to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel/crawl, and carry objects (up to 20 lbs.) throughout shift.
• Occasional time outside in all weather conditions.

What We Offer:

Some of the great benefits The Alex has to offer include:

• 3-weeks’ vacation
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Health / Wellness Spending Accounts
• RRSP and/or Student Loan Repayment Program and/or Mortgage Repayment Accelerator Program (up to 5% match)
• Personal Days
• Floating Holiday
• Sick/Wellness Days
• Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
• Professional Development