WHO WE ARE

Are you an Indigenous Cultural Support Worker Professional looking to make an impact in your community? Do you have endless optimism, ready to move and create change in the community? Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of each individual, Bissell Centre's work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we.

Through our programs we work to empower people from meeting their own basic daily needs to having sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, and feeling hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for an individual wanting to join the Bissell Centre's Indigenous Engagement team. Are you ready to be our Indigenous Cultural Support Worker and make an impact in our community?

Job Purpose

The Cultural Support Worker, under the direction of the Manager of Indigenous Engagement, Director, Indigenous Engagement, is responsible for building and navigating cultural supports for the various programs within the agency. The successful candidate will be expected to build rapport with clients, community, and staff. The Cultural Support Worker will provide both direct and indirect supports to participants and staff wishing to have a greater connection to Indigenous culture, language, and world view through 1-on-1 conversations, group workshops, drop-in workshops, sharing circles, regular practice of Indigenous ceremony, and staff education. The Cultural Support Worker will ensure participants have the support they need to fully engage with their Indigeneity or explore aspects of Indigenous culture that will be helpful to their success and is in alignment with identified goals. The Cultural Support Worker will be accessible to all levels of participant facing programs that request or require Indigenous supports. They will create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants and act as a liaison for staff teachings and trainings.

This position requires successful working relationships with participants that support their ability to reach their full potential, and attain a cultural connection.

This position will influence and celebrate positive outcomes when working with participants, front line staff, and the care team to mitigate problems and obstacles that threaten to undermine participants' wellbeing. Keeping clear and accurate files and records is essential. The Cultural Support Worker will collaborate with the program leaders and other community supports.

The Cultural Support Worker will have a strong understanding of the theory and practice of Harm Reduction in the various programs involved.

Duties and Responsibilities

One-on-one

• In consultation with the Manager, Indigenous Engagement, develop a daily practice that empowers participants, reflects Indigenous world view, and provides participants with the tools and skills they need to better engage with Indigenous culture.
• Meet with participants and assess their needs for cultural support, explain the Cultural Support Worker process and supports available, and participate in ongoing care planning
• Be an active member of the Indigenous Engagement Team
• Provide crisis intervention supports to individuals as needed

• Promote cultural development workshops internally and externally
• Engage participants in intentional and purposeful conversations

• Support participants to meet their own immediate needs and resolve challenges in a sustainable manner
• Refer participants to suitable support services as needed

• Follow a harm reduction model of care
• Other duties as required
• Work in collaboration with other cultural support workers to contribute to Bissell's Indigenous Engagement Strategy

Facilitating Group Workshops and Programming

• In consultation with the Manager Indigenous Engagement, develop a series of Indigenous cultural workshops that can be delivered to groups of participants.

• Facilitate workshops as standalone sessions and/or modules
• Develop opportunities and support an environment where participants can build support networks, build relationships with peers, elders and Knowledge Keepers
• Use de-escalation skills and provide crisis intervention as required
• Maintain a database of current and relevant cultural support services and resources
• Enter detailed and accurate client data into appropriate databases

Administration

• Maintain a database of current and relevant cultural support services and resources
• Enter detailed and accurate client data into appropriate databases

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

Enthusiastic and dynamic presenting skills

Excellent time management with strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Self-motivated and results oriented.

Analytical and Decision-making skills.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook

Education and Experience

• a minimum of 1 year experience in a similar role. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
• An understanding of issues of poverty, homelessness and Edmonton's urban core
• An advanced knowledge of local Indigenous cultures, ceremonies and world view is required.
• Sound working knowledge of TRC's Calls to Action
• Working Knowledge of Indigenous languages would be an asset.
• Familiar with land-based teachings and medicine
• Facilitation experience will be considered an asset.
• Lived experience will be considered an asset.

Personal Characteristics

The Indigenous Cultural Support Worker should demonstrate competence in all of the following:

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and organizational practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission and core values of Bissell Centre.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Participant Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organizational Skills: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Screening Requirements

• Criminal Record Check
• Child Intervention Record Check
• Alberta Class 5 driver's license and satisfactory driver's abstract is an asset but not required

Training Requirements

• Conflict into Calm Training
• First Aid / CPR
• Harm Reduction / Naloxone Administration
• Mobius training
• Indigenous Awareness Training

The above-noted training must be completed during the first six months of employment or as agreed upon by the supervisor.

Role: Full-time

Position: 1

Deadline: May 21, 2024

Wage: $24.65/hr

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, Bissell Centre continues to take action to protect person served and staff. Strategies related to Bissell Centre's response to COVID-19 are driven by the guiding principle of taking all reasonable precautions and measures to protect the health and safety of both persons served and staff. In keeping with this intentional purpose, COVID-19 full vaccination is a condition of employment for new hires, except due to legitimate, established exceptions.

Bissell Centre is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity within our community and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability. Bissell Centre is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees, in accordance with provincially and federally legislated protected grounds.