Community Participation Worker - Innovative Community Support Services

Innovative Community Support Services (ICSS) is a non-profit charitable organization that is committed to creating and providing families & individuals with innovative, high quality, and cost effective community based programs and services that promote a strong sense of well being while making a positive contribution to our culturally diversified community.

The Community Participation Worker provides flexible, person-centered support to adults in community programming. This role involves working directly with individuals who may have developmental or physical disabilities, mental health concerns, complex support needs, or a dual diagnosis. The Community Participation Worker supports individuals in setting and achieving personal goals, making healthy choices, and engaging in meaningful community activities.

In collaboration with the Community Participation Supervisor, team members, and the individuals supported, the Community Participation Worker helps lead, observe, plan, and implement programs and activities that promote learning, skill development, recreation, social connection, and greater independence in daily living. The position also contributes to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and well-organized program environment.

Visit the careers webpage to learn more about the opportunity.

This is a casual, on-call position for several programs (DD/DS/STJ/SIL/CC) meaning hours are not guaranteed.

Details:

• Shifts are primarily weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Occasional evening shifts (no later than 9:00 p.m.) and weekends may be required
• Shift lengths typically range from 4 to 8 hours
• You will be contacted to work shifts when covering for staff absences (e.g., vacation or illness)
• You will receive comprehensive training and onboarding before working independently, ensuring you feel confident, prepared, and supported in your role.

Requirements:

• DSW, SSW, CYW, or three years of experience working with challenging behaviours, medically fragile individuals and/or creating and implementing plans.
• Must have valid, current CPR/First Aid, CPI training, and a clean vulnerable sector police check.
• Possess a valid driver's licence.
• Possess a driver's abstract with fewer than four minor convictions and no serious convictions.
• Possess valid vehicle insurance.
• Access to personal vehicles for work purposes.
• Must be willing to provide a high level of personal care to participants.

Experience/Skills/Responsibilities:

• Experience working with individuals who may have dual diagnoses and crises.
• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities.
• Experience working with people with mental health diagnoses.
• Candidates must have a proven track record in support provision and positive, professional relationships with community partners and families.
• Ability to plan, organize, execute and teach daily living activities.
• Ability to think ethically and professionally and communicate different perspectives and rationale for decision making within a behavioural framework and person-centred approach.
• Skilled in utilizing ISP (individual support plan), at least six months' recent community support experience involving individuals with intellectual and/or physical challenges, and mental health challenges.
• Written communication skills to complete forms/reports.
• Effective conflict resolution, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Interpersonal skills for problem-solving and relationship-building with supported individuals, staff, and parents.
• Mentor and teach life skills, including communication skills, coping with emotions and change, budgeting, household management, sexual health and healthy relationships, boundaries and self-care, self-expression, social skills, coping tools, good hygiene habits, community awareness, and personal safety.
• Promote inclusion in community activities involving artistic, educational, and recreational programming and participation in the volunteer sector.
• Link the individual to other community support services needed.
• Support each individual to develop skills and assume roles that promote his/her independence and self-worth.
• Act as an advocate for supported individuals with landlords and other tenants, doctors and hospital workers, social assistance workers, OPGT, police and other community agencies.
• Act as a resource to other service providers with education, advocacy and consultations.
• Implement support for individuals to achieve personal goals and new skills as established through individual support plans (ISP) and identified goals.

How to apply:

Please send your application to hiring@icss.ca