Recreation and Community Release Support Worker - Full Time

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives? Join our caring, collaborative team at Bonaventure Support Services as a Health Care Support Worker in Parksville, BC!

Job Title: Recreation and Community Release Support Worker

Location: Nanaimo Correctional Centre, 3945 Biggs Road, Nanaimo, BC

Position Type: Temporary Full time hourly - (36 - 40 hours)

Schedule: Monday - Friday between 9am-5pm (this role is split between Recreation and Community Inclusion Support Worker)

Wage: $25.14 - $28.73 &$29 per hour

Take our suitability survey here to see if you'd be a great fit!

Job Summary

Bonaventure Support Services is a values-driven agency supporting children, youth, and adults with diverse abilities across Vancouver Island. We are looking for support workers ready for a chance go grow, and is interested in sparking real change for women in the newly redeveloped 12-bed unit a the Nanaimo Correctional Centre. W're seeking a Recreation and Community Support Worker - Corrections to champion on-site and community-based programs that focus on health, healing, and reintegration.

In this role, you'll be the go-to catalyst for two intertwined missions. First, wellness: you'll orchestrate and lead everything from personalized fitness plans and stress-management workshops to therapeutic art circles, tracking progress and tailoring each session for women who face physical, cognitive or emotional barriers. Second, reintegration: the second objective is to provide community-integration services that address the urgent support needs of women in custody for short-term stays. You'll act as a bridge to community by curating a live directory of housing, employment, and social-support resources; helping inmates secure ID and vital document; and teaming up with agencies like the Ministry of Housing and Social Development so every short-term resident walks out with a solid plan and support network. Along the way, you'll log outcomes, tweak strategies and collaborate closely with correctional staff to celebrate each milestone.

If you thrive in a dynamic enviornment, communicate with empathy, and can balance professional boundaries with genuine human connection, this could be the perfect next step for you.

Scope

Services are to be provided to women inmates in-person, onsite at Nanaimo Correctional Centre located at 3945 Biggs Road, Nanaimo, BC. Services provided to inmates in custody will take place in person onsite.

Position Overview

This role supports women inmates through two key service objectives:

1. Health and Wellness Programming

-Deliver recreational and therapeutic activities to promote overall well-being.

-Educate inmates on healthy living, including nutrition, exercise, and stress management.

-Assess individual needs and develop personalised intervention and fitness plans.

-Coordinate and lead group activities, workshops, and wellness events.

-Focus on inmates with physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, or social limitations that impact their ability to engage in leisure.

2. Community Integration and Resources Access

-Support short-term inmates in preparing for successful reintegration into the community.

-Develop and maintain a comprehensive directory of community resources.

-Assist inmates in building positive social support networks prior to release.

-Help inmates obtain identification and personal documentation.

-Build strong, respectful relationships with supported individuals, families, and colleagues

Build strong, respectful relationships with supported individuals, families, and colleagues

This role requires a balance of compassion, clinical skill, and professionalism. You will be a steady presence in the home, helping individuals feel safe, empowered, and cared for.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead recreational and wellness activities tailored to individual needs.
• Coordinate and implement therapeutic plans and fitness assessments.
• Support individuals in accessing community resources and building connections.
• Maintain records, track progress, and collaborate with correctional staff.

What you bring

-Preferred formal education (Diploma or Degree, CSW, RCA, SIVA etc.) and/or work experience with persons with diverse-abilities and/or other relevant experience.

-Excellent interpersonal behaviour and communication skills.

-A genuine desire and ability to support individuals with diverse-abilities, promoting dignity, independence, individuality.

-Ability to work independently in a high stress environment.

-Must be in good health with the physical ability to carry out the duties of the position and shift responsibilities.

What We're Looking For

• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, collaborate with leadership to develop and review activity schedules, adapt to dynamic or changing circumstances, think critically to resolve problems, and manage conflict in a constructive and professional manner.
• Experience in recreation therapy, community support, or a related field.
• Coordination with community agencies or social services.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies related to corrections and rehabilitation.
• Strong communication, planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• A collaborative mindset and comfort working in correctional setting.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and work effectively with diverse populations.

Requirements

A highschool diploma plus solid, hands-on experience and the right short courses can fully substitue for a social servies diploma. Bonaventure values practical competences, especially trauma informed practice, recreation leadership, and community-reouces navigation, over formal credentials alone. However course work related to any of these areas are a benefit not a requirement:

• Diploma or Degree in Social Servies or another relevant diploma
• Recreation Therapy/ Therapeutic recreation
• Community Support Work
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Kinesiology
• Mental Health & Addictions
• Criminal Justice/Criminology

Key Competencies & Skills

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Familiarity with community resources and social determinants of health
• Excellent communication and boundary-setting
• Ability to motivate and empower others
• Flexibility and creativity in program design
• Capacity for independent work in secure, regulated environment
• Cultural humility and awareness of Indigenous perspectives on justice and healing
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check
• NCC In-house Privacy & Rules Training (0.5 hrs)
• Open School BC Online Privacy Course
• Facility Orientation (0.5 hrs)
• First Aid and CPR, Food Safe Level 1.
• 3 References (including one from your most recent employer).
• Immunization record, TB Screen, and Physician's Declaration.

What We Offer

-Progressive vacation entitlement, starting at 2 weeks.

-RRSP contribution program

-Extended health, dental, and life insurance coverage.

-Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

-Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Ready to make a meaningful impact? Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis - so apply today!