Wellness Advocate

In this role you will have the opportunity to work with a dedicated team committed to providing support and care to individuals facing homelessness. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals and have the necessary skills and qualifications we encourage you to apply.

The Wellness Advocate is committed to helping people who are experiencing poverty housing instability and other barriers to assist them in transitioning toward and maintaining sustainable and healthy lifestyles. The Wellness Advocate works as part of an interdisciplinary allied health team and connects clients with any needed external and internal resources.

Position Type: Full-Time
Schedule: Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm and Tuesday 1:00pm to 9:00pm
Reporting to: Wellness Advocate Supervisor
Location: Calgary AB

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Meet with community members seeking advocacy support to assess their identification income and housing needs and collaboratively establish and prioritize goals to guide the support provided
Complete the Wellness Advocate intake process
Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and create a welcoming respectful inclusive and safe environment for them
Educate and empower clients to understand and achieve their rights and responsibilities to facilitate their full participation in society
Contribute to general health and wellness programming including supporting or facilitating group initiatives and programs that increase knowledge and awareness of community health
Liaise with internal and external resources that will help clients achieve their goals if the support is beyond the scope of services provided by the Wellness Advocate. This includes maintaining existing partnerships as well as developing new partnerships
In regard to clients who have a Caseworker compliment the work of the Caseworkers by acting as a consultant and liaison for issues that require client access to external resources
In regard to clients who do not have a Caseworker refer these individuals directly to internal and external resources
Advocate for clients as needed both to access resources within and outside the organization
Maintain relationships with agency partners and volunteers
Ensure clients accessed external resources by completing follow up with guests and agencies
Contribute to community programs facilitation as needed
Follow protocols to ensure sanitized and organized professional workspace
Assist with training of new Wellness Advocates and Receptionists
Participate in case management teams when required
Provide crisis intervention as necessary
Provide input into program evaluation upon request
Other duties as assigned.

Administration:
Build a comprehensive library and knowledge base on community resources
Share and disseminate community resource information
Track assigned clients progress with external resources
Communicate relevant information to Caseworker about interactions with clients and observed behavior
Document client interactions client referrals and client progress on documentation platforms (platforms vary with each city)
Track statistics and prepare reports as required
Attend meetings and training as assigned
Serve on internal and external committees as requested
Provide input into the development of policies and procedures for designated programs
Keep clients records and information confidential updated and secure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Bachelors degree in Social Work Psychology or a related field in public health or equivalent required
Three to five years of related working experience preferred
Competent in use of MS Office
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent administrative time management and organizational skills
Self-motivated and ability to work independently
Possession of a Valid Drivers License (Class 5) including a clean driving abstract

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 role includes weekly after-hours shifts which may involve off-site meeting facilitation
Time in excess of regular working hours may be required on occasion
This position is primarily an office position
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
Local travel to various Mustard Seed sites and external agencies will be required
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 behaviour up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive
o 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 Seeds 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.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• The Mustard Seed offers a competitive compensation package including 100% employer paid extended health and dental benefits for staff and dependents matching RRSP after one year of service and wellness days.
• All Mustard Seed employees have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) which provides support for maintaining a healthy work-life balance addressing mental health concerns and focusing on personal development in various areas.

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.