The Program
At Taproot Community Support Services, we’re a 100 percent employee-owned organization through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Every employee is an owner from their first day, with a voice in shaping Taproot’s future and the opportunity to share in employee ownership dividends.
As a Certified B Corporation, we harness business for good. Since 1983 we’ve grown steadily, now delivering support across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario through more than 90 contracts.
Our 800-plus employee-owners live by five shared values: we are stronger together, we lead with optimism, we embrace challenges, we respect every voice, and we go above and beyond. Guided by these principles, we deliver more than 125 community-based services each year. We walk alongside about 1,600 children, youth, families, and people with diverse abilities, with revenues exceeding $70 million.
This specialized program serves youth with significant and multifaceted needs. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a dynamic and, at times, high-pressure environment where crisis response, risk assessment, and collaborative problem-solving are required. Candidates would be exposed to substance use, overdoses, hospital and police involvement and high stress environment.
The Position
Under supervision, the residence worker (RW) is responsible for assisting clients to live successfully in residential settings in an accredited agency. Ensures physical, emotional, social, educational and medical needs are met. Assists clients to enhance quality of life with activities of daily living and the development of life skills. Provides behavioral support and supervision in the program and community, implements and monitors individual program plans through observation and accurate reporting, and participates in operating and maintaining the program.
This position requires union membership with BCGEU.
The position serves youth with complex care needs, including substance use, mental health challenges, and complex trauma. Staff must have a strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and overdose response.
In addition to providing housing and support services, staff are often the first to assess and respond to emergency situations, particularly overdoses and other crises. The role requires sound judgment, strong de-escalation skills, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. This role is about more than crisis response. Staff build meaningful relationships with youth and support them in developing life skills, increasing independence, accessing services, strengthening community connections, and addressing their ongoing care needs. We are looking for candidates who are comfortable working in a high-acuity environment while maintaining a compassionate, youth-centered, and relationship-based approach.
Scheduling
One (1) permanent part-time position, with a weekly schedule of 32 hours:
- Monday and Tuesday, 2300-0700; Wednesday and Thursday, 0000-0800
In Your Role You Will
- Participate in assessing, setting goals, and planning (individual program plans, personal service plans) for individuals in the program; document, implement and contribute to program evaluation.
- Provide life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care skills and personal finance; implement personal service plans.
- Assist clients with activities of daily living such as feeding, lifts, transfers, hygiene, grooming and toileting, including transfer of function duties such as gastrostomy feeding, tracheostomy management, and suction and bowel management as required.
- Participate in various client-focused activities in accordance with care plans.
- Recognize, analyze and deal with potential emergency situations such as client’s aggressive behaviour to ensure no harm comes to the client and/or the public; reports problems to supervisor.
- Administer medication to clients in accordance with established policy and procedures.
- Assist with case management by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties; provide input to counselor or professional regarding the development of appropriate program plans to achieve residents’ objectives; contributes to the evaluation of residents’ progress and prepare reports.
- Provide emotional support and feedback to residents and their families.
- Transport and assist residents to appointments, shopping or leisure activities; operate motor vehicles safely and legally while transporting clients or on Taproot business.
- Perform residential maintenance and housekeeping duties such as laundry, sweeping, mopping floors, mowing lawns, inventory, shopping, cleaning equipment and food services.
- Maintain reports such as statistics, logbooks and daily activities relating to clients.
- Identify social, economic, recreational and educational services in the community that will meet clients’ needs; maintain liaison with other agencies, professionals, government
officials, and the community.
- Utilize practices that promote health, welfare, safety and security of persons served.
- Participate in the OHS Committee as required.
- Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as required.
- Prior to confirmation of employment, all applicants must provide a copy of a current Criminal Record Check and/or Government Screening Letter. These checks vary depending on province and sector and will be communicated by the Program Hiring Team.
As An Ideal Candidate You Possess
- A certificate, diploma or degree in one of the humanities, social work or related field. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Minimum of one year recent related experience in a community-based setting, or a combination of relevant education and experience.
- Previous experience with operating a licensed home and trauma informed practice
- Training in substance use is an asset
- Training / work experience dealing with sexually intrusive behaviours is an asset
- Familiarity with Housing First, Harm Reduction and Employment First initiatives
- Valid CPR/First Aid, WHMIS, and Food Hygiene and Sanitation certificates
- Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract
- Mandt and/or Non-Violent Physical Crisis Intervention Certificate and Conflict Resolution Certificate
- Positive behavior supports experience
- Naloxone training
- Successful applicants will be required to participate in MCFD screening and provide three (3) professional reference prior to confirmed employment with Taproot Community Support Services.***
What Taproot Community Support Services Does
At Taproot, your passion for helping others can truly make a difference. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, learning, and innovation. Our strength-based approach guides both our care and how we support each other. Join a team where your voice matters, and together, we’re building a company we’re proud of.
Our Employees Enjoy
- Employee ownership from day one through our EOT, with opportunity for profit-sharing dividends
- Work/life balance
- Learning and career development opportunities
- Competitive wages and salaries
- Paid vacation and benefits for eligible employees
- Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees within British Columbia
- Matching RRSP plan for eligible employees within Alberta
- Professional development opportunities and job-related training
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- Long Service Milestone rewards
- Employee referral bonus program
- A values-driven workplace - as a Certified B Corp, we're committed to using business as a force for good
For more information on Taproot Community Support Services visit our website: taproot.ca
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you! Please apply.
Equal-Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is unwavering. We believe that varied backgrounds and experiences fuel innovation and success. As an equal-opportunity employer, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations. We're seeking candidates passionate about contributing to our multicultural teams and enriching our workplace with their unique insights and cultural sensitivity.
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.
No telephone calls please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
