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 Cultural Support Worker will provide a proactive approach to bridging Indigenous residents and their culture by consulting with Indigenous residents to provide/connect them with a range of cultural specific supports in the community and advocating for access and rights as needed. The Cultural Support Worker will support in cultural reconnection, programming and cultural education. This position will also develop and implement short-term, issue-specific intervention plans within program guidelines to all facility residents.
STATUS:
The Cultural Support Worker position is currently undergoing classification and approval with the Union. The final classification, wage rate, and applicable terms and conditions are subject to completion of this process and the applicable collective agreement. Connective reserves the right to amend or withdraw the posting should the required approval not be obtained.
HOURS
40 hours per week
Monday to Friday 0900-1700
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
- Participate actively in designated facility, care team and staff meetings
- Liaises with staff and volunteers of community and government agencies as required
- Liaises with Connective staff as necessary
- Liaises with VCH Staff and Recreational Therapist when needed
- Liaise with outside professionals from other agencies or government bodies as required
- Participates as a member of the Connective staff team
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Programs
- Maintain confidentiality when participating in assessments, goal setting and providing progress evaluation reporting
- Navigate paths to person-centered Indigenous work with residents using culturally informed strategies.
- Assist with creating an effective and supportive connection between the Indigenous/non-Indigenous service providers and community supports and residents.
- Engage in collaborative community partnerships to promote traditional healing, cultural teachings, and practice.
- Promote understanding and respect for Indigenous culture, experience, and identity.
- Liaise with and/or support cultural activities/programming.
- Contribute to model of cultural safety for emotional vulnerability.
- Ensure Indigenous service user’s case planning is Indigenous-led and informed.
- Maintain an appropriate record and information system. Prepare annual program reports and provide accurate data when needed. Ensure that accurate program and service user records are maintained, and that confidentiality is a priority. Ensure that all pertinent registration requirements and documentation is complete.
- Reviews and evaluates residents’ progress and adjusts programs as required. Provides feedback and support to residents and/or their families.
- Provide 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.
- Assists residents with daily living skills such as grooming, cooking, money management, shopping, household safety and pet care.
Community
- Guiding and engaging families, children, youth, and community members in culture activities such as healing circles, talking circles, and smudges to promote spiritual healing in a supportive and ethical manner.
- Accompany service users in navigating social, economic, recreational, physical, vocational, and educational services.
- Foster awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma related addiction/mental health among Indigenous community members.
- Works directly with additional staff (i.e., Social Workers and Outreach Workers), community service and support providers, government and non-government organizations, and First Nations service providers to inform the development and implementation of individual support plans consistent with harm reduction and Connective’s philosophies and practices.
- Recognizes, analyzes, and deals with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behaviour(s) to minimize potential harm to others and/or the public.
- Accompanies and/or transports clients to activities such as appointments, shopping, or leisure activities.
- Participates in team meetings as instructed by the Program Manager.
- Other duties as subsequently negotiated.
Residential
- Supervises the activities and daily living of service users living in the designated facility while on shift, including maintaining case notes and the logbook, monitoring behavioral routines to de-escalate potential threats to self or others, and overseeing the execution of person specific care plans
- As assigned, assists with the details of the operation of the facility, including but not limited to administrative support through writing reports, planning groups, coordinating of family visits, scheduling clinical contractors, managing and supporting patient finances, scheduling and planning cultural supports, income/ministry assistance, and support in collaborating closely with BC correctional staff on facility operations with the guidance/alongside of the Program or Operations Manager.
- Maintain safety best practices for both staff and service user while service user is in acute mental distress
- Recognizes, analyzes, and deals with potential emergency situations such as a service user’s aggressive behavior to ensure no harm comes to them and/or the public often using persuasion or influence methods to manage the service user’s behavior. Reports problems to the supervisor.
Other
- Participates in staff and service user/staff meetings/case management conferences
- Assists with site safety orientation and training on job specific duties, program knowledge, and organizational policies to new Connective staff and volunteers. This includes external clinical contractors
- Assists with the orientation of new service users
- Other duties may be assigned from time to time
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Functions independently, while remaining a crucial member of the care team
- Adheres to Connective policies and procedures.
- Functions independently while on shift and adhere to Residence Policy and Procedures
- Constantly navigate difficult and complex situations, make critical decisions and work in a high stress, and emotionally charged environment
- Ability to think critically and be prepared to set up safety measures including barricades and other de-escalation tactics when service users escalate
- Play a critical role in bridging gaps between mental health, physical health services, and spiritual well-being, ensuring patient centered care in a demanding, complex, high stress and emotionally charged environment.
- Demonstrates a level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the required duties often supporting the service user in pushing, lifting, or carrying in awkward positions.
- Is available to work flexible hours as needed, which may include some evenings/weekends, as determined by program/client needs and schedules
- Work in compliance with all health and safety policies, procedures and guidelines and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
- Report in writing all accidents, injuries, and incidents.
- Participate in professional development activities to maintain competency in field of practice or area(s) of expertise.
- Demonstrate a balance of critical thinking, emotional resilience, and the ability to collaborate within a dynamic team.
- Demonstrates the ability to safely participate in Advanced Team Response (ATR) when required, utilizing approved hands-on intervention, grounding, and containment techniques to support service users experiencing behavioural escalation while maintaining the safety of the individual, staff, and others.
- Is a member of CUPE local 1936-11
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- Diploma or degree, preferably in psychology, behavioural sciences, social work, community social services, or criminology, or equivalent, with two years of related experience.
- A combination of education and experience may be considered
- Experience with clients with a history of conflict with the law, developmental disabilities and/or spectrum disorders, experiencing homelessness, interaction with social agencies and experiencing mental health challenges
- Experience working with First Nation communities
- Ability to Advocate on behalf of service users.
- A strong understanding of the intergenerational impacts of the residential school systems, colonization and the various Indigenous Nations, practices, and ceremonies.
- Experience with service users with a history of conflict with the law, self-harming/aggressive behaviors, concurrent disorders, developmental disabilities and/or spectrum disorders, interaction with social agencies and experiencing psychiatric/personality disorders.
- A demonstrated and clear ability to respond well in crisis situations
- An understanding of providing service to people with different learning abilities
- Demonstrated an ability to deal with potential violence
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to successfully complete a Vulnerable Persons Criminal Record Check
- Ability to successfully pass a reference check
- Current First Aid Certificate (please refer to the Certificates accepted in B.C. - WorkSafeBC)
- Valid Class 5 driver’s license
- Demonstrated ability to respond efficiently in crisis and escalated situations
- Diploma, preferably in behavioral sciences, social work, community social services or criminology, or equivalent with two years of related experience
- Advanced knowledge of de-escalation strategies for service users experiencing a psychiatric crisis
- Food Safe Certification
- 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 $29.22 per hour plus benefits as per the collective agreement. The wage will increase with every 2,000 hours worked up to a maximum of $33.54 per hour.
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.
WHAT WE OFFER?
- Committed Living Wage Employer
- 2022, 2023 and 2025 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice Award from NEOC
- 2023 High-Performance Culture Award from Supporting Lines
- 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)
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 at https://connective.ca/
