PT - Residence Support Worker, Justice (Surrey)

Connective is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative programming in the social services sector. We strive to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all.

ROLE PURPOSE

This position will provide support to residents who are transitioning from correctional institutions to the community, easing their transition and assisting in their reintegration efforts. You will work with residents according to their individual risk and needs, maintain the goals of the federal program, and ensure the orderly and safe operation of the facility. This is a Criminal Justice focused role where you will work with 17-20 men on parole that were previously incarcerated.

STATUS AND CLASSIFICATION

Unionized. This position is open to applicants of all genders. Friday to Saturday, 2200-0600 and Saturday to Sunday, 2200-0600.

WHAT WE OFFER?

• Committed Living Wage Employer 2022 & 2023 Canadian Nonprofit Employer of Choice
• Aware from NEOC 2023 High-Performance Culture Award from SupportingLines
• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan
• Career and personal development, with the ability to grow in a diverse range of programs and departments
• Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday
• Connective is part of a portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months)

REPORTING AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports and is accountable to the Program Manager or their designate
• Participates actively in house, staff, and staff/resident meetings
• Participates as a member of the Connective staff team
• Liaises with outside professionals from other agencies or government bodies as required

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Interviews clients to prepare care plans and background information for which confidentiality is required
• Under the general guidance of the Program Manager, assumes a primary or key worker role with assigned resident(s) as required
• Provides input to the Program Manager and/or other staff with regard to the development of appropriate care plans to achieve the resident’s objectives
• Is cognizant of, and works towards the implementation of the care plan established for each resident
• Meets with each resident on a routine basis to discuss progress and plan future interventions
• Assists the Program Manager and/or other staff in the identification of potential problems and reports any difficulties
• When assigned, participates in social, recreational, employment, educational and other programs as appropriate to assist the resident’s case/care plan
• Contributes to the evaluation of the resident’s progress and makes both written and oral reports to be available to the remainder of the staff team
• Maintains client files including statement of goals, case/care plans, summaries, case notes, reviews and closing reports
• Develops and maintains an in-house resource area containing current information/brochures of programs and services which are available to residents
• Ensures residents are in compliance with the terms of their residency and are aware of the rules of the facility
• Acts as an on-site advocate for each resident
• Provides emotional support and feedback to residents and their families
• As appropriate, supports residents towards integration and normal functioning within the community
• Acts as a positive role model for clients, providing life skills training and behaviour management as appropriate
• Provides access to medications and monitors medication use as required
• As necessary, provides transportation and assists residents to attend appointments
• With other residence staff plans, develops and delivers in-house programs to address the needs of the residents
• When assigned, completes the CSC trained urine analysis process for residents

Community

• Works with volunteers to support and enhance the goals of the residence programs
• Identifies social, economic, recreational, employment and educational services in the community that will meet the needs of the client
• Maintains effective liaison with other agencies, professionals, government officials and the community in order to contribute to the success of the case/care plan of the resident

Residential

• Supervises the activities of the residence, its residents and volunteers, while on shift including maintaining case notes and the logbook
• Along with the other residence staff, monitors and ensures effective operation of the facility including quality control concerning cleaning equipment, indoor and outdoor maintenance, inventory and food services
• Provides input into meal scheduling and preparation, including food inventory
• Ensures the security of the residence
• As assigned, is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining housekeeping areas and the upkeep of the facility both inside and outside by involving the residents in this process when deemed appropriate
• As assigned, is responsible for the weekly grocery shopping for the residence by involving the residents in this process
• As assigned, assists with the details of the operation of the facility, including but not limited to administrative support
• As assigned, organizes and oversees the preparation of meals by involving the residents in this process
• As necessary, accepts responsibility of being on-call and carrying the residence pager
• As required, accompanies residents to appointments and community outings, following the restrictions imposed by the courts/review panels

Other

• Participates in staff and resident/staff meetings
• Assists with the orientation and training of new staff and volunteer
• Other duties may be assigned from time to time

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Functions independently while on shift and adhere to Residence policy and Procedures
• Works in a stressful environment, often dealing with clients in crisis situations
• Demonstrates a level of physical fitness to effectively carry out the required duties of the program and to meet the operational needs of the residence
• Is available to work all shifts, 7 days per week including day shifts, afternoon shifts and graveyard shifts
• Provides appropriate personal transportation with required business insurance coverage to enable the movement of the worker and resident around the Lower Mainland as required by the goals of the program

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Graduate with a Diploma or Certificate in Criminology or a relevant field with one year of related experience.
• Previous experience working with parolees under conditional release in a halfway house environment or with inmates of federal institutions is preferred
• Counselling experience in the appropriate field and demonstrate a clear ability to respond well in crisis situations
• Demonstrated experience in an applicable residential setting
• Ability to satisfy the requirements of the residence contractor in regard to previous criminality as deemed necessary
• Demonstrated a good working knowledge of the technical details important to the functioning of group residences
• Awareness of Correctional Services Canada (the contractor) concerns, laws and policies related to the specific residence program
• Demonstrated the ability to teach skills and work effectively with others
• Knowledge of theory, principles and practices in the fields related to the particular residence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to successfully complete an Enhanced Security Clearance
• Ability to successfully pass a reference check
• Proof of vaccination for communicable diseases may be required as mandated by Government, Health Authority, and/or funder requirement
• Ability to successfully pass a TB screening, reliability clearance
• Permanent Residency or Canadian Citizenship

COMPENSATION

As Connective is a unionized environment, the starting wage is $25.95 per hour. The wage will increase with every 2,000 hours worked up to a maximum of $29.76 per hour.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At Connective, we value and accommodate unique differences to ensure that our staff have the opportunity and are supported to thrive. To build a strong and representative workforce, we strongly encourage applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ people, immigrants, and people with disabilities or other marginalized communities.