Direct Support Worker

The Salvation Army; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking a Direct Support Worker for Bethany Home to provide support for youth in crisis within a residential setting. This role involves meeting emotional, psychological, and physical needs while ensuring a safe environment for residents. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in Mental Health and Youth Services, alongside a commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year experience in a similar or related field.
• Experience working within the field of Mental Health and Addictions is a strong asset.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to residents and ensure their emotional, psychological and physical needs are met.
• Maintain safety, cleanliness and quality service as per program standards.
• Document necessary logs/files for each shift including behaviors and attitudes.

Education

Completion of a formal post-secondary/college program of two academic years

Diploma or Degree in Humanities or related field

Job description

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:

The Salvation Army is an international Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible; its ministry is motivated by love for God and the needs of humanity.

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.

Vision Statement

We are an innovative partner, mobilized to share hope wherever there is hardship, building communities that are just and know the love of Jesus.

Core Values:

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory has four core values:

Hope: We give hope through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Service: We reach out to support others without discrimination.

Dignity: We respect and value each other, recognizing everyone’s worth.

Stewardship: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us.

Position Purpose summary:

Bethany Home is dedicated to providing a safe, stable, and positive residential setting for female youth in crisis, regardless of cultural and religious diversity. The Direct Support Worker provides a safe and secure environment for the residents of Bethany Home to ensure their emotional, psychological, and physical needs are met. They provide practical support to help re-integrate youth back into the community.

Accountabilities:

Residents Support:

• Provide support to residents in Bethany Home and ensure that their emotional, psychological and physical needs are being met.

• Provide individual counselling and manage incidents and crisis intervention.

• Contribute towards correction of the clients with criminal conduct/thinking.

• Be aware of all residents and their activities, and follow through with case plans, expectations and required programming for each youth.

• assigned tasks are to be completed in accordance with the organization policies, procedures and standards to maintain a high level of quality service, cleanliness and safety while performing said tasks.

• Strictly follow program’s policies and procedures and implement these into daily tasks.

• Ensure that the environment of the program is supportive, nurturing and encourages a high degree of resident involvement including decision making.

• Responsible for following through with special requests and/or instructions for the residents in accordance with their case plan set by the Ministry of Social Services.

• Prepare and present shift exchange to share timely and critical information with the next shift.

• Provide consistency in the home for all residents and staff.

• Care for residents’ health needs and seek medical attention in a timely manner.

• Read and document necessary logs/files for each shift – all documentation should provide objective information including behaviors, attitudes and concerns regarding all activities, events and visits.

• Ensure quality preparation of meals and snacks as required on shift, while maintaining a high level of cleanliness of the eating and cooking areas and recording required items when used,

• Cleaning and sanitizing the home, as per program standards.

• Ensuring the safety of all residents and the property, as perp program standards.

• Able to communicate in a clear and concise manner with residents, staff, professionals, and members of the public while maintaining confidentiality, fairness and respect.

• Remain alert and awake at all times throughout all shifts.

• Assist Program Coordinator in managing all resources (e.g., donations) and supplies and ensure they are distributed correctly.

• Optional on-call responsibilities, as discussed and agreed with the Program Coordinator.

• Other work-related duties as assigned by the Program Coordinator.

Communication:

• Day-to-day communication with the youth in the house (social support and programming).

• Written and verbal communication with the Ministry of Social Services, Social Workers in discussing case plans, providing updates and collaborating with them in the youth’s development and case plan goals.

• Support key stakeholders, other community-based organizations and external agencies, including reporting youth AWOLs and other emergencies (as per local policies and procedures).

Reporting:

• Create and maintain lists of reports required for health and safety compliance purposes (fire drill reports, risk management tools, among others).

• Support external reporting requests as needed.

• Support the Program Coordinator in developing and reporting internal/external statistical reports.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Required to work in co-operation with other staff members in job related areas and treat all residents, volunteers and members of the public with respect, dignity and confidentiality.

Governance Boards and Councils: None.

Internal:Program Coordinator, Residents, Staff.

External: Police, Agencies, Community Organizations, General Public, Ministry of Social Services, Community Partners, Mobile Crisis.

MANAGERIAL/TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:

• Reports directly to: Program Coordinator.

• Management stream is not applicable. May show others how to perform certain procedures (e.g., practicum students).

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

• Minimal material responsibility.

• Uses or maintains organization assets in accordance with established guidelines.

• Does not process any financial transactions with no budget responsibilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Working in a residential youth group home.

• Shifts are FT, PT and Casual. Shifts can be during the day, evening or overnight. 24/7 Facility. No Travel.

• The incumbent’s work environment is typically in an office and work site within a residential setting.

• The incumbent will work under the following disagreeable conditions:

  • Noise

  • Dealing with angry and abusive people

  • Verbal abuse

• The incumbent may be exposed to the risk of moderate injury or illness due to:

  • Physical attacks by others (i.e. being attacked by a resident)

  • Exposure to infectious diseases

  • Sharp objects (i.e., needle, sticks)

  • Other dangerous situations

  • The incumbent may have to transport youth to attend appointments, while abiding by the local policy and procedures.

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college program of two academic years, preferably in Social Science/Service.

• Diploma or Degree in Humanities or related field (i.e. Social Work, Youth Care, Psychology, etc.) will be considered as an asset,

• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate or willingness to obtain.

• First Aid/CPR

• Clean Drivers’ Abstract

• Food Safe Certificate

• TCI Training

• Criminal & Vulnerable Background Checks

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Minimum one year experience in similar or related field.

• Experience working within the field of Mental Health and Addictions is a strong asset.

• Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model.

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, Internet and keyboarding.

Skills and Capabilities (Examples provided below):

• Understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

• Ability and willingness to respect, promote and support the mission, vision and values of the TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to the position responsibilities.

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

• Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.

• Strong listening, written and verbal communication skills – clear and simple to understand.

• Able to proactively recognize potential risks, conflicts, and issues, respond with solutions and coaching.

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills,

• Patience and ability to deescalate situations.

• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.

• Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them.

• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.

• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.

• Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be reliable, and operate in an environment of accountability.

• Demonstrate the ability to work as a positive team member.

• Understands the dynamics of residents’ behavior with the ability to assess their needs and risks.

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.

• Physical ability to perform tasks.

• Ability to work with hard to handle youth.

The target start pay for this position is $24.64 based on CBA

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $24.64 to $25.18 with a maximum of $25.71.

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 [e-mail] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.