Community Support Worker - Kelowna

Strive Living Society; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 31,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

EFAP

Pension plan

Paid orientations

Training

Job summary

Strive Living Society in Kelowna and West Kelowna is seeking compassionate Community Support Workers for our Supported Independent Living (SIL) program. You will provide one-to-one support to adults in the community, helping them build independence, stability, and quality of life.

Ideal candidates have experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs, trauma-informed practices, and the ability to work effectively in 1:1 and community settings while collaborating with a

Qualifications

• Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health and/or behavioural needs.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to work independently in 1:1, community-based settings.
• Comfortable navigating unpredictable situations with professionalism and composure.
• Ability to encourage, motivate and involve clients in community activities.
• Access to computer and internet.
• Proven ability to develop rapport with individuals in a variety of contexts.
• Ability to communicate effectively with families, educational personnel, social workers and partners.
• Able to self-start, make judgments, and create new models/programs as needed.
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Provide feedback and report back to the case management team and Program Manager.
• Accept and apply feedback from team members.
• Ability to practice sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Provide 1:1 support to adults in the SIL program in community and home settings.
• Collaborate to implement person-centred plans promoting independence and quality of life.
• Support emotional regulation and community integration activities.

Skills

Complex mental health needs

Trauma-informed practice

De-escalation techniques

Independent 1:1 work

Community engagement

Rapport building

Effective communication

Education

University degree or college diploma in social science

Tools

Computer and internet access

Job description

Strive Living Society is looking for caring and enthusiastic individuals to join our progressive non-profit organization as Community Support Workers in our Supported Independent Living (SIL) program in Kelowna & West Kelowna.

The Supported Independent Living (SIL) Program provides individualized, one-to-one support to adults in their community, with a strong focus on building independence, stability, and quality of life. This role involves supporting individuals with diverse abilities, including those with complex mental health needs, behavioural challenges, and co-occurring conditions, through structured, rehabilitation-focused approaches.

SIL staff work collaboratively to implement person-centred plans that promote skill development, emotional regulation, and meaningful community inclusion

This position typically follows a Monday-Friday schedule. Available lines below:

35 hours/week: Monday–Friday, daytime hours between 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Includes an additional 4-hour house cleaning shift once per month.

18 hours/week: Monday, Tuesday & Friday, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Includes an additional house cleaning shift once per month.

Why work for Strive?

• Employer paid Criminal Record Check Clearance
• Paid orientations
• Paid trainings (First Aid, CPR, Mandt, etc.) and professional development
• Employer paid extended health benefits including prescription medication, paraprofessional services, vision, etc. *
• Employer paid dental benefits including orthodontic coverage *
• Employer contribution to Municipal Pension Plan (MPP) *
• Employer paid Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Casual employees are provided up to an additional 10.2% of wages in lieu of benefits
• Reimbursement to upgrade to Class 4 BCDL if required (one time only upon successful acquisition)
• Competitive paid annual vacation
• Generous statutory holiday pay
• Flexible schedules to accommodate life/work balance
• Inclusive environment with team building events and cultural celebrations
• Health and wellness activities and incentives
• Milestone rewards
• Access to community member discounts
• Ongoing support, mentoring, and recognition to help with engagement and career growth

Pay rate: $27.53/hour *plus benefits upon meeting eligibility requirements.

*Some benefits have eligibility requirements of surpassing three (3) months and securing a regular position of 20hrs/week or more. The benefits and criteria may change from time to time at the discretion of Strive.

The ideal applicant shall possess:

• Experience supporting individuals with complex mental health and/or behavioural needs
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and de-escalation techniques
• Ability to work independently in 1:1, community-based settings
• Comfortable navigating unpredictable situations with professionalism and composure
• Ability to encourage, motivate and involve clients in community activities.
• Access to computer and internet
• Proven ability to develop rapport with individuals in a variety of contexts.
• Ability to communicate effectively (both verbally and in writing) with their families, educational personnel, social workers and resource workers, service providers and partners
• Able to self-start, make judgment calls, and create new models/programs as needed
• Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team environment
• Provide feedback and report back to the case management team and Program Manager
• Accept and apply feedback from team members
• Ability to practice sound judgment

Job qualifications include (if you do not have all of these, but demonstrate you are a good fit for the position, Strive may be able to assist you in acquiring some of these requirements):

• Class 5 BC Driver’s License and a clean driver’s abstract
• Personal vehicle for work and car insurance with a third-party liability of $2 million
• Minimum of 1-year of experience (or combination of education and experience)
• Positive Behaviour Management Training
• Criminal Record Clearance, Ministry of Justice.
• First Aid and CPR Certificate
• MANDT Training will be offered in house
• Food Safe Certificate
• 2 professional references
• University degree or college diploma in a social science program and/or subsequent experience.
• *Other requirements which may be specific to the individual(s) served*

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Strive is a non-profit registered charity providing residential and community inclusion supports to children, youth, adults, and older adults throughout the lower mainland since 1988. If you can relate to our mission and vision, we want you to work for us!

Strive’s Mission is “To partner with individuals of diverse abilities to lead healthy, fulfilling lives by providing a foundation of support.”

Strive’s Vision is “Building a continuum of services to support the needs of individuals at every stage of life.”

Strive offers fully paid benefits benefits*, great learning and development opportunities, and an engaging, positive environment for a long-term career.

*without precedence and without prejudice*

Strive Living Society is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

Strive Living Society is grateful to operate on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Nations.