Cochrane is located in the breathtaking Bow Valley corridor in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in southern Alberta. With a population of over 37,000 people, and growing steadily every year, Cochrane is a thriving town, surrounded by world-famous ranch country. Our western heritage is reflected in the Town’s architecture and our friendly people. The Town of Cochrane welcomes innovative and skilled individuals to join our team of over 250 employees.

At the Town of Cochrane, we believe strong families build strong communities. Our Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) team is committed to encouraging, strengthening, and stabilizing family and community life.

Age Friendly Cochrane is a community led initiative focused on helping older adults live well at every stage of aging. Guided by local seniors, partners, and experts in health, social supports, and the built environment, the project works to improve accessibility, strengthen services, and build a sense of belonging for all.

We’re looking for someone who brings both passion and adaptability, along with a genuine desire to support older adults. If you’re energized by diverse, collaborative work and want to help advance an Age Friendly Cochrane, you’ll feel right at home in this role.

Please note: This is a grant-funded position until March 31, 2028.

The Age Friendly Link Worker supports older adults through non clinical, community based services as part of Cochrane’s Social Prescribing initiative. Acting as a key connector between healthcare providers and community supports, the role helps older adults address social, emotional, and practical needs that influence their wellbeing.

Through in office appointments, community outreach, and home visits, the Link Worker provides individualized, goal focused support that empowers older adults to age well in place. Working closely with healthcare providers, FCSS Resource Workers, and community partners, the role includes assessing needs, co developing goals, and connecting clients to supports such as transportation, social participation, digital navigation, and in home services. This longer term relational support complements the short term, task based services offered by Resource Workers.

The Link Worker also contributes to broader Age Friendly and healthy aging efforts by identifying system gaps, emerging trends, and barriers to aging in place, strengthening coordinated community responses, and supporting long term integration of social prescribing in Cochrane.

What Your Days Could Look Like

No two days are the same in this role – and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. If you thrive in a fast paced environment where flexibility, creativity, and connection are key, you’ll love being part of our team. You’ll move between meaningful moments and impactful tasks such as:

• Sitting down with older adults to complete holistic, person-centered assessments and co creating individualized “social prescriptions” that support their wellbeing.
• Reviewing and processing referrals from healthcare and community partners, ensuring each one is appropriate and identifying when clinical needs require a different pathway.
• Reaching out to new clients within 48 business hours, keeping referring providers updated when needed, and responding to time sensitive non urgent referrals.
• Providing hands on, non clinical support through home visits, digital navigation help, transportation coordination, escorted appointments, safety checks, and referrals to in home services.
• Building strong, trusting relationships that empower clients through encouragement, goal setting, advocacy, and barrier reduction support.
• Keeping accurate, confidential records and tracking outcomes while staying informed about community resources, service gaps, and emerging needs.
• Collaborating across sectors by supporting shared referral processes, helping partners use EMR embedded tools, and participating in quarterly cross sector meetings.
• Strengthening community partnerships to enhance service delivery and improve the wellbeing of older adults across Cochrane and area.
• Providing culturally responsive, equitable, and client centred services while maintaining safe and effective work practices.
• Identifying risks to client safety or wellbeing and escalating concerns appropriately within established protocols.
• Promoting social prescribing and the Link Worker role to healthcare providers, allied health professionals, and community organizations, and representing the initiative at local events.
• Participating in community led meetings such as Team Health, the Seniors Advisory Committee, the Cochrane Older Adult Case Consultation Table, and Interagency gatherings.
• Leading quarterly cross sectoral meetings to support continuous improvement and long term sustainability of the initiative.

Qualifications

• Post secondary education, preferably in Social Work, Community Development, Nursing, Health Sciences, Recreation, or a related discipline.
• 2–5 years of experience working with older adults, vulnerable populations, or in a community based social services setting.
• Strong ability to prioritize, coordinate, and monitor a diverse range of projects and relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Solid understanding of the social determinants of health and familiarity with social prescribing principles.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively identify and remove barriers to service access.
• Experience in program development and delivery.
• Knowledge of local community resources, government ministries, and social support systems.
• Understanding of grant processes, funders, and their mandates.
• Proficiency with basic MS Office Suite software.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Occasional physical effort such as lifting, climbing stairs, and periods of prolonged standing, though this is not a primary focus of the role.
• Extended periods of sitting in an office environment.
• May involve carrying or transporting materials and supplies during community outreach or home visits.
• May involve light physical activity, including demonstrating or guiding individuals through basic physiotherapy exercises as part of supporting client programs.
• Regular travel within Cochrane and Rocky View County to meet clients, attend meetings, and support community based activities.
• A reliable vehicle is required for this position.

Why Join Us?

• Create meaningful change in the lives of older adults every day
• Be part of a supportive, innovative, and mission driven team
• Work in a vibrant community that values connection, inclusion, and growth
• Access competitive compensation and opportunities for ongoing professional development

If you’re excited to support older adults and contribute to building a more Age Friendly Cochrane, we welcome your application.

• Qualified individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter outlining how their experience aligns with the required qualifications, skills, and abilities.
• All qualified candidates will be requested to complete an online suitability survey
• Applications for this position will be accepted until 9pm MST May 18, 2026 at www.cochrane.ca/jobs
• $37.76/ hour based on 35 hours/week (some evening and weekend required)

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants must be legally entitled to live and work in Canada.

Land Acknowledgement

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.