Resource Specialist

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:

Position Purpose Summary:    

This position provides monitoring, case management, and support, along with related administrative responsibilities, to deliver the services of a Community Residential Facility (CRF).

Accountabilities:

1. Resident Support/Case Management:

• Works directly with Corrections Program Residents

• Works directly with Parole Officers

• Reviews referred files by Parole Officers to determine appropriateness of placement in the Corrections Program.  

• Conducts Resident intake interviews, assessments, and completes follow-up tasks as determined

• Welcomes and orients new Residents to program and services

• Responds to community and Resident inquiries, provides suggestions and information on appropriate resources and referrals (e.g. funding for housing)

• Provides Resident support through a number of different channels/strategies based on Resident needs

• Addresses Resident behavior concerns in consultation with the Parole Office and in keeping with program guidelines

• Provides emergency/crisis intervention and responds accordingly (may involve conflict resolution)

• Works collaboratively with community agencies and the Parole Office, in particular, to resolve Resident concerns

• Assess and work with Residents, to develop SMART Goals, and participate in Resident meetings and progress reviews, in support of  Corrections Program requirements.

• Coordinates and facilitates Resident house meetings

• Researches, creates and presents presentations on programs and workshops

• Attends community agency meetings and workshops as approved by the Manager

• May assist at the West Desk/South Desk as needed

• May pack up and lift resident belongings and engage in recreational activities.

• May facilitate approved groups sessions with residents

2. Administrative:

• Enters and maintains data base, resident case notes, and other resident records as required, whether hard or soft copy (e.g. referrals, appointments, meetings, etc.); may extract data from database for statistical purposes

• Supports team members in upholding best practices and service to residents and shares learnings and findings

• Completes designated reporting requirements (including month ends, statistics, learning summaries)

• Completes paperwork as/when required (incident reports, communication book, etc.)

• Performs administrative tasks (i.e. filing, photocopying, email, etc.) that support program objectives and/or delegated by supervisor

• Attends and participates in meetings/events/committees (internal and external) as required

• Gathers, shares, and maintains up to date resource information in determined format

• Supports, orients, and trains volunteers and students as required

• Reviews information and forms to ensure information is correct and relevant

• Participates in annual program planning

• May be required to take/prepare meeting minutes

• May be required to show work methods and/or mentor new employees

3. Program Support

• May research, develop, adapt, and facilitate learning/skill building/educational functions including lesson plans, evaluations to meet resident needs (may involve recruitment of outside agencies)

• May be required to assist with set-up/tear-down of projects, workshops, etc.

• May be required to assist with coordination of donations and supplies

• May provide support for other position tasks

• May evaluate programs and services for quality improvement

• Performs other related duties as assigned

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• This is a regular, full-time position at 40 hours per week. Weekly schedule is Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, with a 30 minute unpaid meal break.

• Works primarily in an office within a men's residential shelter facility

• Meets one-on-one with residents

• May have to deal with aggressive and/or disruptive people. Potential of verbal and, less likely, physical attacks

• Position requires a significant amount of keyboarding and record keeping

• Position requires the handling of confidential information that can be disturbing in nature, and may require consultation and debrief

• May be exposed to drugs and alcohol, as well as infectious diseases

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:  

• Requires completion of a two-year diploma in a related social services or mental health field (i.e. social work, criminal justice, addictions)

• Incumbents with a Social Work diploma or degree must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers

• Satisfactory Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search

• Reliability Status security clearance

• Current Standard First Aid certification with Level A or C CPR from an Alberta approved training provider

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements  

• At least one year of prior related experience in frontline casework with an emphasis on corrections, mental health, homelessness, addictions or social services. 

• Knowledgeable about the Canadian Criminal Justice System

• Demonstrated understanding of marginalization of offenders and parolees

• Knowledge of concurrent/co-occurring disorders including mental health diagnosis and treatment resources.

• Apply for security clearance as per the Industrial Security Sector

• Take the Corrections Canada OMS training.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Collaborate to establish effective relationships with residents to support them to increase their strengths.

• Able to help develop and implement service plans and be a strong advocate for the resident.

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.

• Responsive to safely resolve crisis situations and respond nonjudgmentally to problematic behaviors.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey information to residents and community partners, especially Parole Officers.

• Ability to effectively liaise with a range of service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve services for residents.

• Attentive listening and observation of body language and continuously monitoring the environment.

• Self-motivated, able to work under pressure and manage time effectively, prioritizing work tasks to need.

• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations

• Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, familiarity with databases, as well as keyboarding skills.

• Ability to occasionally pack and lift resident's belongings and engaging in recreational activities.

• Teamwork to make positive contributions to the team, support and back up co-workers at all times.

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.

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 if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.