Community Support Worker

**Nature of Position**
The Community Support Worker provides opportunities for lifelong learning and development through social, recreational, educational, and vocational activities that support optimum independence and community involvement appropriate to each individual. He/she fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment for participants both at the centre and in the community. The Community Support Worker responds to referrals from sources including CLBC and provides support pertinent to the expressed interests, goals, health care needs and capacity of everyone. He/she assists participants to balance safety with opportunity and risk taking. The Community Support Worker establishes and maintains a warm and personal relationship with each person served and encourages the active involvement of family members, friends, and neighbors in each person's life through outings or activities at the centre. He/she is skilled in designing and delivering workshops and activities, is comfortable working with groups, and is able to balance the needs of the individual with the needs of the overall group. The Community Support Worker is a dedicated and knowledgeable member of a comprehensive organization wide support team. As such, when deemed qualified with appropriate skills and abilities, he/she may provide services to individuals in related programs, when required. The Community Support Worker participates in ensuring that the strategic goals of the agency are met.

**Required Abilities**
- The ability to motivate and encourage individuals in a positive and respectful manner is an expectation of this position. In addition, strong connections to and knowledge of the community and its resources is necessary
- The ability to function independently and frequently under pressure while managing the needs of several individuals and emergency situations
- Common sense and good judgement along with a comfort level supporting individuals who may be at some risk living independently is required
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal behavior and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to involve people who have a developmental disability in community activities regardless of medical or behavioral barriers
- Ability to support advocacy efforts appropriately
- Empathy; understanding of human development and behavior
- Strong knowledge of community agencies, systems, and services
- Excellent teaching skills. The position may require scheduling hours of work independently and flexibly in response to individual needs
- Direct program activities require a moderate level of physical fitness to effectively carry out duties
- Ability to interact effectively and develop positive relationships with program participants

**Key Duties**
- Teaches about, arranges and/or provides safe transportation for clients
- Performs some basic grounds and building maintenance. Reports maintenance needs to the Manager. Involves program participants in these activities where appropriate
- Ensures that each person served has an Individual Service Plan and that it, and all supporting documents, are up to date according to Inclusion Powell River policy
- When designated, serves as a facilitator for the individual service planning process in keeping with Inclusion Powell River philosophy and policy. Involves each person in his or her planning and ensures that the individual's interests, wishes, and needs are kept central to all plans and programs and that any risks or concerns are addressed
- Uses a range of tools to support the individual to understand and engage in the process including pictures and symbols, plain language checklists, augmentative communication, assistive technology etc. Ensures a copy of the Individual Service
- Develops SMART goals to support his/her vision identified as part of the Individual Service Plan
- Plans activities to support these goals
- Reviews progress on these goals quarterly with the individual and/or team to identify and celebrate progress, refine, and adapt goals where progress has not been made, and develop new goals to support continued movement forward towards long term vision
- Has proven skill in planning and facilitating group activities to address individual goals and service plans
- Identifies, supports, and encourages active participation in social, leisure, economic, recreational, retirement and educational opportunities in the community in response to program participant’s needs and wishes
- Teaches and assists each individual to participate in integrated community activities on a regular basis. Facilitates involvement and provides any necessary formal or informal liaison with other Inclusion Powell River programs, other agencies and the community
- Assesses and interprets behavior accurately and provides appropriate support in keeping with the individual’s history, personality and strategies described in Individual Plans. Provides lay counselling support including confl