Community Engagement and Pre-employment Program Counsellor

Who We Are
For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement
The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Accountabilities:
 

Program:

• Act as a role model for all participants as reflected by appearance, behaviour and attitude
• Provide caseload responsibilities as assigned by Program Manager
• Provide support to participants’ personal development as decided through individual program planning
• Know and respond to the safety and health care of participants
• Provide teaching and support to participants
• Ensure learning opportunities are provided using agency and community resources
• Follow and promote the agency and program goals and philosophies
• Develop, coordinate and carry out recreational or learning programs. (Program should be documented and uploaded to the network
• Provide morning/afternoon supports to clients arriving/leaving
• Participate in meetings and in-service training, as required
• Make suggestions to improve efficiency, working conditions or procedures as applicable
• Represent the organization in a professional manner
• Direct, delegate, coordinate, organize and ensure the completion of shift responsibilities
• Ensure relevant information is communicated
• Maintain effective communication
• Attend and participate in meetings and staff development training at the discretion of the program supervisor
• Be responsible for professional development
• Strive for excellence and participating constructively and energetically as a responsible member of the agency, working diligently to achieve agency goals, targets, and timelines
• Meet participant needs through programming implementation, upholding policies and procedures, and preparing and participating in agency reviews
• Work collaboratively and maintain harmonious relations with all staff, management, and the community
• Document and share knowledge of all relevant legislation including maintaining up-to-date participant records and agency statistics
• Maintain and up-to-date working knowledge of all relevant legislation associated with the program’s participant group, and to keep ethical and legal responsibilities with participants and others associated with the agency
• Maintain effective communication
• Attend and participate in meetings and staff development training at the discretion of the program manager
• Be responsible for professional development
• Strive for excellence and participating constructively and energetically as a responsible member of the agency, working diligently to achieve agency goals, targets, and timelines
• Meet participant needs through programming implementation, upholding policies and procedures, and preparing and participating in agency reviews
• Work collaboratively and maintain harmonious relations with all staff, management, and the community
• Document and share knowledge of all relevant legislation including maintaining up-to-date participant records and agency statistics
• Maintain and up-to-date working knowledge of all relevant legislation associated with the program’s participant group, and to keep ethical and legal responsibilities with participants and others associated with the agency
• Performs other related duties as required.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Developmental Services Worker (DSW) Diploma or other equivalent degree/diploma related to human services
• Valid Standard First Aid Certificate (including CPR)
• Crisis Prevention Intervention and Behaviour Management Skills Certificate
• Training and/or experience in medication administration
• Drivers license is an asset

Experience and Knowledge Requirements:

• Preferred minimum 2-5 years’ experience working with people with developmental disabilities and preferably working with individuals who have a dual diagnosis of mental health challenges and developmental disabilities
• Counselling experience in development disabilities and/or dual diagnosis field of 1+ years
• Experience with implementing Individual Support Plans
• Experience in community outreach
• Teaching skills (demonstrated ability to implement various teaching approaches and group instructor skills)
• Ability to model and teach desirable work skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Internet, e-mail and proficient in the use of general office equipment.
• Understanding and support for the Mission of The Salvation Army

Skills and Capabilities:

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal, customer service and communication skills
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Proven organizational and multi-tasking skills and able to cope with changing needs and deliver successful results in a timely manner.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility
• Able to work in a professional environment dealing with issues relating to residents, day program participants, staff, agency finances, and other confidential and sensitive agency business.
• It is an expectation of the role to be certified in Standard First Aid/ CPR, Crisis Prevention Intervention (NCI), Behaviour management skills and use it in practice on a regular basis
• Ability to successfully complete all mandatory training as required by the agency
• Ability to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check with vulnerable sector screening. 
• Ability and willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.