Cultural Connector

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: The Cultural Connector is focused on meeting children, youth and their families where they are at in their healing journeys, supporting them in reconnecting to their culture, and building connections, belonging, self-identity and pride. In this Full-Time permanent position, the Cultural Connector works to enhance cultural connections for children and youth in Community Group Care, as well as their family and natural supports.

Through meaningful engagement and relationships with cultural and spiritual leaders and community members, the Cultural Connector facilitates timely access to Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Ceremonialists, spiritual leaders and cultural mentors. Duties include:

• Ensuring children, youth and their families have access to culturally relevant events, ceremonies, activities and resources.
• Providing mentorship and culturally relevant teachings; and may accompany children, youth and their family to cultural events and activities, as well as appointments and community activities, when appropriate and with the guidance of cultural specific community leaders.
• When working with children, youth and families, ongoing teaching, risk assessment, crisis prevention and intervention are required, utilizing the principles of trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity and the Teaching Family Model.
• Completing required reports and documentation, as well as participating in ongoing training relevant to their role.

About You: You have experience working alongside individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds, are sensitive to cultural and spiritual needs and can incorporate these aspects into planning with individuals and families. You possess exceptional verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to effectively relate and communicate with people of all ages, abilities, cultures, spiritual beliefs, and sexual and gender diversities. You are knowledgeable of Indigenous ways of knowing and use a wholistic approach when working with children and families. You are detail oriented, organized and can effectively manage multiple priorities at one time. You are able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with individuals of all cultures, beliefs and backgrounds, 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. 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 five (5) core 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