Posted 11 months ago
Community Support Worker - Penticton
@ John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay
Penticton, British Columbia
Overview
The John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay is hiring a full-time Community Support Worker in Penticton to provide one-to-one outreach to adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities and complex support needs referred by Community Living BC. The work covers goal setting, daily living skills, appointments, and community inclusion, with weekday, evening, weekend and holiday shifts. The role requires a Class 5 licence, a clean driver's abstract, a reliable vehicle, and a Vulnerable Sector check.
Responsibilities:
- Provide one-to-one outreach and community-based support to individuals with complex needs
- Assess needs and develop service goals in daily living, housing, and social inclusion
- Support appointments, budgeting, shopping and meal planning
- Respond to challenging or emergent situations
- Maintain daily narratives, assessments and reports
Requirements summary:
- Diploma or degree in a related human or social services field, or one year of recent relevant experience
- Class 5 driver's licence and clean driver's abstract
- Access to a reliable vehicle for transporting clients
- Successful Vulnerable Sector criminal record check
- Availability for weekdays, evenings, weekends and holidays
Tools & skills
Benefits mentioned
Source and dates
Employer career site / ATS feed · recruitee
- Employer posting date
- 2025-12-17
- First seen by our source
- 2026-10-10
- Source record updated
- 2026-11-06
These dates describe the source record, not a live verification that the employer is still hiring. Check the original posting.
Job details
| Seniority | Entry level |
| Department | Social & community services |
| Experience | 1+ years |
| Hours per week | 40 (estimated) |
| Schedule | day, evening, holidays, weekends |
| Travel | air: none · ground: moderate |
| Work setting | Client sites, Home, Outdoors |
| Position | Sitting and standing |
| Physical demands | physical low · computer moderate |
| Languages | English |
| Licences & certifications | Vulnerable Sector criminal record check |
| Driver’s licence | required, own vehicle |
| Background checks | criminal record, driving record |
| Encouraged to apply | People with disabilities |
| Education | College diploma (preferred), Bachelor’s degree (preferred) |
| Fields of study | Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Service Work |
| Perks mentioned | Wellness |
Summary and details written by AI from the posting; the employer’s posting is the authority.
John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay
Saved company profile
Historical company information from a saved The Jobs API profile (LinkedIn/Crunchbase fields). It is not live-verified; figures may have changed. Missing values remain unknown.
A Safe, Healthy, & Inclusive Community For All
Full company description
The John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay is a registered charity and social service agency operating in the Okanagan community for more than 60 years. Our organization has a strong history of assisting individuals experiencing a variety of challenges and social issues such as poverty, homelessness, mental health concerns, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Our goal is to contribute to community wellness by offering services that support clients in a number of areas, including providing and assisting with housing, community reintegration, advocacy, support with mental health and addictions, while learning how to be accountable to others and responsible for themselves. It is important to have compassion balanced with strength so that we may provide the best in care for all of our program participants. The work of JHSOK is possible because of the combined drive and effort of staff and volunteers, interagency collaboration, partnerships with funders, support by the community, and by the amazing and resilient people we serve. Johann Hari said that, “the opposite of Addiction is Connection”, could we go further then, and say that, “the opposite of Homelessness is Community”? At JHSOK we do just that, we help to bridge the gap and build strong communities, where everyone is welcome, included, and safe.
- LinkedIn followers
- 236
- People associated on LinkedIn
- 60
- Reported office locations
- 1440 St Paul St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2E6, CA
- Vernon, BC, CA
- Penticton, BC, CA
- Business categories
- Communities
- Consulting
- Health Care
- Law Enforcement
- Non Profit
- Social Assistance
- Young Adults
- Other recorded names
- John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay
- Specialties
- CLBC
- Restorative Justice
- Housing
- Housing First
- Mental Health
- Substance Use
- Homelessness
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- Criminal Justice
- Harm Reduction
- and Person Centered
- Profile identifies a recruitment agency
- No
- Reported total investment
- 0
Currency and observation date were not supplied; this is not a current valuation or a funding round.
The John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay is a registered charity and social service agency operating in the Okanagan community for more than 60 years. Our organization has a strong history of assisting individuals experiencing a variety of challenges and social issues such as poverty, homelessness, mental health concerns, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Our…
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Industry | Civic and Social Organizations |
| Company size | 201-500 employees |
| Headquarters | Kelowna, BC |
| Organization type | Nonprofit |
| Year founded | 1959 |
| Specialties | CLBCRestorative JusticeHousingHousing FirstMental HealthSubstance UseHomelessnessNeurodevelopmental DisabilitiesCriminal JusticeHarm Reduction |
| Open jobs on Jobsy | 8 |
| View page |
Position Overview
The Outreach & Community Inclusion Community Support Worker (OCSW) builds supportive, respectful relationships with adults referred by Community Living BC (CLBC) who have neurodevelopmental disabilities and complex support needs. At the heart of this role is helping people feel connected, supported, and empowered in their own homes and communities.
Working one-to-one, the OCSW partners with individuals, families, and community supports to set meaningful goals, build daily living skills, and navigate life’s challenges using strength-based and harm-reduction approaches. Whether supporting an appointment, sharing a skill, or responding to a tough moment with calm and care, this role is about meeting people where they’re at with patience, professionalism, and an open mind.
Major Responsibilities
Provide direct, one-to-one outreach and community-based support to individuals with complex needs.
Assess needs and collaboratively develop service goals related to daily living, housing, social inclusion, recreation, and life skills.
Support activities of daily living (ADLs) such as appointments, budgeting, shopping, and basic meal planning.
Promote independence, safety, and quality of life through strength-based and harm-reduction approaches.
Recognize, analyze, and respond appropriately to challenging or emergent situations.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation including daily narratives, assessments, and reports.
Collaborate with CLBC facilitators, family members, and community stakeholders as appropriate.
Contribute to positive behavioural support strategies and uphold professional boundaries.
Co-facilitate therapeutic, recreational, or educational group activities as needed.
Participate in team, office, or committee work when required.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
What We Offer
A supportive, caring, work environment with a focus on investing in our staff
Professional development opportunities
Immediate access to our robust Employee Assistance Program
Acknowledgement
The John Howard Society of Okanagan & Kootenay is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only shortlisted candidates and those eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.
Education & Experience
Diploma or degree in a related human or social services field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Service Work), and/or
At least one (1) year of recent, relevant experience supporting individuals with complex needs.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Skills & Competencies
Strong ability to work independently while maintaining accountability and professionalism.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including factual report writing.
Sound judgment and ability to manage challenging or emergent situations.
Commitment to harm-reduction, strength-based, and person-centered practices.
Ability to maintain boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical practice.
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills.
Conditions of Employment
Class 5 driver’s license, clean driver’s abstract, and access to a reliable vehicle for transporting clients.
Successful Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector).
Availability to work a variety of shifts including weekdays, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process, please let us know!
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