Community Social Worker

Family and Community Services enhances the social wellbeing of individuals, families, and community through preventive programming. Community counselling offers individuals and families social support services from a person centered, strength-based approach. The Community Social Worker provides short-term preventative counselling, information, referral services, and crisis intervention to residents of any age or stage of life.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Counselling and Crisis Intervention to Sturgeon County Residents (60%)

• Aligns practice and service with pertinent legislation including Children’s First Act, Child Youth Enhancement Act, ATIA, POPA, Alberta College of Social Workers Practice Standards.
• Provides family and individual counselling to Sturgeon County residents through home, office, school visits or virtual platforms to promote social and emotional wellbeing and strong healthy relationships. Conducts group counselling as required.
• Provides crisis intervention within the mandate of prevention and our general municipal counselling program until a more appropriate agency is involved.
• Engages in initial assessment to provide appropriate timely social and emotional support.
• Develops plans and establishes goals to improve their clients’ well-being.
• Evaluates counselling sessions provided to ensure that they are effective.
• At family’s request, facilitates meetings and case conferences which may include family, student, school, staff and/or other professionals involved in order to co-ordinate efforts, share information and advocate for the client.
• Maintains accurate client records.

Community Outreach Services (20%)

• Develops and implements outreach to the community.
• Provides information and referral to residents.
• Develops and maintains accurate information on community resources to support client centered referrals.
• Networks within the community to keep abreast of new and emerging social issues and sharing insights with the rest of the department.
• Identifies opportunities to support and partner in new initiatives that are supportive of people in the community and help in developing resiliency.
• Provides outreach services to the community as a liaison with organizations and community groups.
• Engages with other organizations and community groups through participation in Interagency meetings, community events, focus groups and committee meetings throughout the service area.
• Shares and collects information from these community groups and act as a representative of the Family & Community Support Services department.

Program Reporting and Administration (10%)

• Evaluates and reports on the program offered.
• Works with staff team to develop program logic models and accompanying outcomes measurement plans, data collection tools and evaluation practices including mechanisms for continuous improvement.
• Reviews and revises program policy, procedures, and forms, as necessary.
• Promotes programs, including implementing the advertising plan and working within the budget.

Other Related Duties (10%)

• Adheres to applicable responsibilities and accountabilities as outlined in the Sturgeon County Health and Safety Management System.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work. Social Workers must be registered with Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).
• A minimum of three (3) years experience as a Social Worker, preferably in a community-based agency, organization, or municipal setting.
• Must be available to work the occasional evening or weekend.
• Knowledge of regional resources (e.g., agencies or support systems within the region).
• A clear Criminal Record (Vulnerable Sector) and Child Intervention Record Check is required.
• Valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s License and a Driver’s Abstract deemed satisfactory by the County.
• Maintain valid Standard First Aid CPR C and AED certifications.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training or Mental Health First Aid Certificate is required.
• Analytical and creative thinking skills
• Able to deal effectively with people in difficult situations.
• Communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively in written and verbally.
• Strong work ethic and highly motivated with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond to action requests and competing deadlines in a timely manner.
• Proficiency with MS Office, e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Assets:

• Experience in assisting with policy development and interpretation is an asset.