The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island is looking for an energetic and creative Community Support Worker to join the collaborative and welcoming team at the Frederic Ozanam Centre. In this role you will work in our Community Inclusion Program for adults with diverse abilities.

The Community Support Worker position will work alongside a dedicated team of Community Support Workers assisting participants with daily living activities, including personal, social, physical, recreational, vocational, and educational needs. In this meaningful role you will utilize your robust knowledge of theory, principles, and practices in the care of persons with diverse abilities and your positive and friendly attitude to support participants in helping them to achieve their life goals.

This is a casual, on-call position. The program runs Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, and Wednesdays 8:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Planning and preparing for participant’s program activities. Demonstrating enthusiasm, commitment, constructiveness, and a willingness to work and assume responsibility for daily challenges.

• Assisting participants with executing their plan, in a positive, committed, and kind manner.

• Assisting clients with daily life skills, social skills and/or behaviour management. Assisting clients with activities such as grooming, basic cooking, money management, shopping, household safety, pet care. Facilitating physical, recreational, educational, social, and vocational activities.

• Providing participants with a positive role model.

• Providing support and feedback based on observations, to participants and/or their family.

• Ensuring health and safety standards are maintained.

• Providing emotional support to participants and monitoring their well-being.

• Recognizing potential emergency situations and following established policies, procedures, and protocols. i.e., reviewing participant’s progress and making either written and/or verbal reports regarding their daily activities and progress as necessary.

• Administering medication to clients in accordance with established policy.

• Providing personal care services to participants. This involves utilizing specialized equipment, including ceiling lifts**,** to ensure their comfort and safety while promoting independence and dignity.

• Providing guidance and mentorship to volunteers, relief workers and practicum students such as demonstrating work procedures or equipment.

• Accompanying and/or transporting participants to activities such as volunteer opportunities, life skills and recreational activities.

• Performing basic cleaning duties as needed.

• Completing reports and recordkeeping in an accurate and timely manner.

• Performing other related duties, as required.

Qualifications

We're looking for a candidate who possesses:

• Diploma in Human/Social Services field, or a combination of education, training, and experience.

• A minimum of 2 years of recent related experience supporting individuals with diverse abilities.

• A current first aid certificate.

• Genuine interest and ability to work with individuals with diverse abilities.

• An ability to remain calm in difficult situations.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with participants, caregivers, and community members

• Accountable, with an ability to work effectively in collaboration with others.

• Good organization, time, and general management skills.

Additional Requirements:

• A Ministry of Justice Vulnerable Sector Clearance Letter is required prior to hiring.

• Direct delivery program activities will require a moderate level of physical fitness.

• A current first aid certificate.

• A clean Driver’s Abstract and a Class 4 unrestricted driver’s license will be given preference.

• The Frederic Ozanam Center is under a Public Health Order (PHO). All applicants must be fully vaccinated as defined by the PHO.

About Society of Saint Vincent de Paul:

The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island has been supporting people in need on Vancouver Island since 1916. Focused on impacting the lives of people affected by poverty, the Society offers emergency relief services while maintaining a focus and commitment to addressing the root causes that contribute to poverty in our communities. Through a variety of programs, the Society provides support through affordable housing, a food pantry, home visit program, day program for persons with developmental disabilities and thrift stores providing clothing and household items to those in need, to name a few.

We are committed to cultivating an inclusive, fair, equitable and diverse culture and look forward to welcoming applicants with their unique strengths to our team.