Community Support Worker (CGY)

The Community Support Worker will participate in programs that are essential to the alleviation of poverty and homelessness and build healthy relationships between stakeholders in The Mustard Seed’s diverse community.
Reporting to the Community Impact Centre Site Lead, this position will assist community participants in accessing resources, participating in programs, as well as maintaining a safe and welcoming environment where staff, participants, and volunteers become a life-giving community that nurtures hope, health, and transformation. This role will support other Community Impact Centre programs in Calgary as needed. Crisis intervention and de-escalation resolution will be expected for the role as well.

Employment Type: Casual
Schedule: Sunday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Reporting to: Community Impact Centre Supervisor
City: Calgary
Number of Positions to Fill: 4
RFR #: 2111

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Guest Engagement and Support Duties:

• Welcome community members, visitors, and other stakeholders into our centre; sign in guests in our information database, conduct intakes and program evaluation with guests;
• Foster meaningful relationships with guests, volunteers, coworkers, supervisors, and other stakeholders;
• Collaborate with guests to support positive lifestyle and behavior change through supportive daily interactions;
• Promote programming to the guests and encourage them to participate in programs;
• Assist community participants in accessing The Mustard Seed services, including the drop-In programs and activities, registration for pop up events, and/or booking appointments;
• Assist with onsite Food Services programs as needed;
• Support guests’ dignity by identifying needs respectfully and providing appropriate referrals.

Safety and Crisis Response:

• Create and maintain a safe, healthy, and respectful environment for all staff, volunteers, visitors, and community participants;
• Provide non-violent crisis intervention and use de-escalation techniques as needed;
• Respond to emergencies, including drug poisonings, and assist in crisis situations;
• Perform periodic internal and perimeter safety checks during operational hours;
• Enforce guest suspensions and escalate to the Restoration Committee when necessary;
• Provide non-violent crisis intervention and use de-escalation techniques as required.

Operational and Administrative Duties

• Maintain specific records such as statistics, reports, incident reports, and other computer files
• Manage and organize incoming and outgoing mail for both staff and guests, if applicable.
• Foster positive relationship with donors, including greeting and thanking donors, collecting donations, and issuing proper documentation/ receipts.
• Participate in all staff training (e.g., First Aid, ASIST, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, etc.) and attend meetings as required.
• Ensure daily tidiness and cleanliness of the work area in addition to participating in daily sanitization of high touch areas
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Post secondary Degree or Diploma preferred.
• Front line experience working directly with vulnerable groups, such as individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental illness, addiction and Canadian newcomers.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, communicate, and work effectively with a diverse range of people from various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• A self-starter and able to work well in a cross-functional team, with strong collaboration skills.
• Good relationship building and communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees sign an agreement indicating that they will respect and not detract from our Statement of Faith.
• This position requires availability for a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend shifts.
• Fast-paced and demanding, with frequent interactions in a dynamic community setting.
• Moderate physical effort is required. Considerable periods of standing, walking, cleaning, sorting, lifting, and typing. Work is primarily indoors with occasional outdoor tasks that may involve exposure to extreme weather conditions.
• Moderate mental effort is required to pre-emptively identify and assess conflict, problem solve, maintain healthy boundaries, and provide empathetic support for people facing extreme personal challenges.
• May be exposed to or required to respond to drug poisoning and other verbal or physical incidents.
• Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them uttering threats, discriminatory statements, and other insults at your person. This may in a raised voice, or in seeing unpredictable behavior up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive
  • Training on how to respond is provided, but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed
• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.
• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer

NOTE

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.
• We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.
• Please visit our Careers page to see more job opportunities.