Family SpecialistCalgary and Airdrie Community Group Care

About Us: Closer to Home Community Services (CTH) is a Calgary and Area based not-for-profit agency that delivers a variety of services designed to meet the unique needs of vulnerable children and their families. Be a part of an innovative team that envisions a future where every child will thrive within supportive family and community relationships by:

• Uncovering strength, hope and healing, and creating new possibilities for a brighter future for children and families.
• Providing a broad array of strength-based and family-centered services that strive to preserve, reunify and build stronger families who can care for their children and contribute meaningfully in their community.

About the Position: In this full-time position, the Family Specialist works as a part of the Calgary and Airdrie Community Group Care service delivery to improve relational connections between children and youth placed in group care, and their family and natural supports. The Family Specialist works closely with the interdisciplinary team to engage in meaningful transition planning to achieve placement stability and permanency for children and youth, facilitating reunification with family whenever possible. Utilizing the principles of the Teaching Family Model, the Family Specialist teaches families and natural supports the skills necessary to effectively meet the needs of the family, which may include: problem solving, parenting skills, child development needs, crisis management, advocacy and other skills which increase the families' ability to set attainable goals and care for their children. This position is responsible for completing required program reports, data collection and treatment documentation as well as participating in meetings that are relevant to their role.

About You: You possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to effectively communicate with and relate to people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. You are extremely detail oriented, organized and can effectively manage multiple priorities at one time. You are able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with children and their families as well as with community agencies and resources. You are a compassionate individual with a positive and empathetic approach who understands how to set appropriate professional boundaries. You have experience with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds, are sensitive to their cultural and spiritual needs and can incorporate these into planning for families. In addition, you are eager to learn and carry out the principles and philosophy of Closer to Home and the Teaching Family Model.

Qualifications:

• A Diploma or Degree in a related field and/or previous experience working with vulnerable children and families is required
• Willing to work a flexible work week, including evenings and weekends when needed
• A valid Alberta Driver's License, reliable vehicle for work purposes, adequate and current insurance and willing to provide a Driver's Abstract upon hire
• First Aid/CPR Level C or higher
• A Police Information Check and an Intervention Record Check must be completed upon hire
  

Required Competencies: All positions at Closer to Home Community Services require (5) competencies: Instills Trust, Consumer Focus, Communicates Effectively, Situational Adaptability and Ensures Accountability.

Closing Date: Until a suitable candidate is found

CTH is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for all; this includes but is not limited to different cultural backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, and sexual and gender diversities. We strive to be an employer of choice with a focus on wellness and connection.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information on our organization, please visit our website at www.closertohome.com