FT Cultural Support Worker

Connective is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative programming in the social services sector. We strive to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role will provide culturally responsive outreach and support to service users, with a strong focus on honoring, reconnecting with, and celebrating cultural identity and community resilience. The cultural support worker will take a proactive and respectful approach to help residents strengthen their cultural ties by helping them explore, access, and engage with meaningful cultural resources, practices, and community support. The worker will also advocate for service users' rights and equitable access to services where needed. In addition, this position includes developing and delivering short-term, culturally informed support plans that empower residents to sustain their housing and engage positively within the community.

HOURS (40 HOURS PER WEEK)

• Tuesday to Saturday,

WHAT WE OFFER?

• Committed Living Wage Employer
• 2022 & 2023 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice Aware from NEOC
• 2023 High-Performance Culture Award from SupportingLines
• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan
• Career and personal development, with the ability to grow in a diverse range of programs and departments
• Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday
• Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months)

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports and is accountable to the Program Manager or their designate
• Participates as a member of the Connective services team to ensure quality and continuity of services to clients
• Builds and maintains good relations with Indigenous service providers, elders, knowledge keepers and the local Nations
• Liaises with staff and volunteers of community and government agencies as required
• Liaises with Connective staff as necessary
• Participates as a member of the Connective staff team

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Works with service users, research background material, and seeks the input of other professionals and family members to identify needs and intervention possibilities, using person-centered and culturally grounded strategies.
• Works with residents and other staff to consider issues and create a mutually agreed holistic plan of support and relevant strategies that have measurable short and long-term goals.
• Advocates Indigenous service users' case planning to be Indigenous-led and informed.
• Assists with creating an effective and supportive connection between the Indigenous/non-Indigenous service providers and community supports and service users.
• Engages in collaborative community partnerships with the local nations, knowledge keepers and elders to promote traditional healing, cultural teachings, and practice.
• Promotes understanding and respect for Indigenous culture, experience, and identity within facility.
• Liaises to organize and/or support cultural activities/programming.
• Interacts with other professionals, family members, indigenous service providers, and other organizations to ensure services, admissions, and treatments are in the service user's interest and supportive of their long-term goals.
• Advocates and aids in navigation for a service user to other professionals, including but not limited to the courts, probation services, and community and institutional psychiatric services.
• Contributes to model of cultural safety for emotional vulnerability within the facility.
• Fosters awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma-related addiction/mental health among Indigenous community members.
• Maintains extensive records and case notes.
• Completes monthly progress reports.
• Assists residents with daily life skills, social skills, and/or behaviour management to function more independently in their own homes and in the community.
• Nurtures opportunities and assists residents with activities such as grooming, basic cooking, money management, shopping, household safety, and pet care.
• Facilitates physical, recreational, educational, social, and vocational activities and service navigation.
• Recognizes, analyzes, and deals with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behavior(s) to minimize potential harm to others and/or the public.
• Reviews and evaluates residents' progress and adjusts programs as required. Provides feedback and support to residents and/or their families.
• Accompanies and/or transports residents to activities such as appointments, shopping, or leisure activities.
• Provides guidance to staff to assist in dealing with events or topics in the context of cultural practices.
• Participates in team meetings as instructed by the Program Manager.
• Other duties as subsequently negotiated.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Graduated with a Diploma in a related human/social service field and one-year of related experience or a relevant combination of education and experience
• Experience with service users with a history of conflict with the law, developmental disabilities and/or spectrum disorders, experiencing homelessness, interaction with social agencies, and/or experiencing mental health challenges
• Experience working with First Nation communities
• A demonstrated and clear ability to respond well in crisis situations
• An understanding of providing service to people with different learning abilities
• Demonstrated ability to deal with potential violence
• Experience in assessment, case/care plan development and implementation
• Demonstrated ability to develop programs tailored to particular and diverse needs of individuals
• Extensive knowledge of community services in Nanaimo and area
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Preference will be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to successfully complete a Criminal Records Check
• Current Emergency First Aid Certificate (please refer to the Certificates accepted in B.C. - WorkSafeBC)
• Class 5 driver's license
• Personal transportation that is in good repair, insured for business up to $1,000,000 for liability, and which can be used to transport residents

COMPENSATION

As Connective is a unionized environment, the starting wage is $27.54 up to $31.61 per hour. Plus, benefits enrollment as per the Collective Agreement.

Important: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, observe their weekly hours limit if under a temporary or study visa, and provide proof of eligibility if selected for the role.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At Connective, we value and accommodate unique differences to ensure that our staff have the opportunity and are supported to thrive. To build a strong and representative workforce, we strongly encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ people, immigrants, and people with disabilities or other marginalized communities.

For more information on Connective's services and locations, visit our website