Wellness Advocate

Are you looking to provide hope and wellbeing to the vulnerable population in the Red Deer community? The Mustard Seed is looking for a Wellness Advocate who is committed to helping people who are experiencing homelessness or poverty transition towards maintaining sustainable and healthy lifestyles by assisting them with system navigation and connecting them with both internal and external resources. This role will work closely with the Health and Wellness team to improve client’s quality of life by facilitating and advocating for them in a variety of different systems.

The barriers preventing people from transitioning out of poverty and homelessness are as unique as the individuals facing them. Our Wellness Advocate breaks down these barriers by meeting with clients to determine which programs and services best meet their needs. These health and wellness services include counselling; medical doctors and nurses; assistance with obtaining ID, employment, income support, and housing; community resources; drop-in programming; and much more.

**Position Type**: Full-time
**Reporting to**:Director of Health & Wellness
**Location**: Red Deer, AB

**QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS**
- Advocate on behalf of people experiencing homelessness or poverty and empower them to work through challenges or navigate systems; including income support, housing, community resources, etc.
- Provide clients with assistance completing medical and other paperwork
- Help clients to obtain government-issued ID and status cards
- Meet with new community participants who come into access the Community Support Centre, getting them referred as quickly as possible to internal and external resources as needed
- Ensure clients accessed external resources by completing follow up with clients and agencies
- Produce complete and up-to-date client files and enter data and notes into client care management system as needed
- Demonstrate a high degree of confidentiality and professionalism
- A post-secondary degree in Social Work, Social Services, Counselling, Psychology or equivalent
- 1-2 years’ experience in the homeless serving sector
- Working understanding of vulnerable populations and the complexities of homelessness
- Extensive understanding and knowledge of local community programs, services, and resources and of Alberta / Canada social support systems
- Enthusiastic networking and relationship builder; strengthening existing partnerships with internal and external resources as well as developing new partnerships
- Ability to work independently and well as part of a team
- Well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Microsoft Office Suite savvy (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and adept at learning and working with new technology, software, and databases
- Willing to supervise practicum students in advocacy positions on an ongoing basis

**WORKING CONDITIONS**
- Full-time position, 40 hours per week
- An Employment Background Check is required
- As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed
- Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for any employer
- Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment

**COMPENSATION & BENEFITS**
- The Mustard Seed offers a competitive compensation package including 100% employer paid extended health and dental benefits for staff and dependents, matching RRSP after one year of service, and wellness days.