The Community Connector plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of life for seniors in Smithers, Telkwa, and the Bulkley Valley neighborhoods. This multifaceted position entails independently managing the Community Connection Program. The Connector works closely with community members, stakeholders, and seniors to identify the most effective support mechanisms. Reporting to the Executive Director, the manager is expected to be adaptable, organized, and experienced, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering positive relationships with volunteers and other organizations operating in the community. Having a keen understanding of community resources, programs, and services will be a great asset to the position.

PROGRAM: Seniors Program/Community Engagement

POSITION: Seniors Community Connector – Part time (21 hours).

DATE POSTED: June 20, 2024

CLOSING DATE: July 5, 2024 (noon)

COMPENSATION: $30-$32/hour

WORK LOCATION: This position may involve work at the SCSA Offices but is ideally suited to a combination of work from home and work in community contacting other affiliated organizations.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports To: Executive Director

Direct Reports:

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Community Development

• Build and maintain networks within community and strengthen relationships within the community-based sector serving seniors.
• Use an asset-based community development approach to identify and mobilize individuals, and organizations providing and supporting older adults.
• Engage and participate in learning opportunities such as Community Of Practices (COP), planning tables or networking events.

Assessment and management of referrals

• Connect, liaise, and establishe partnerships with local health care professionals to create and maintain referral pathways.
• Maintain an active caseload of seniors with short-term needs through referrals from health care professionals and community agencies.
• Prioritize referrals to meet individual participant's needs.
• Understand hospital discharge procedures and assist with supporting seniors transitioning back home following discharge.
• Implement safety precautions when visiting seniors in the community, including in their personal residence.
• Complete intake process to assess strengths, needs, abilities, and risks using motivational interviewing techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution and observing behaviour.
• Use various assessment tools to determine challenges, needs and risks related to healthy aging and develop routines, structures, and resource referrals to reduce risk of frailty.
• Interpret participants' complex physical requirements and social needs.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality in all matters related to clients and community partners.

Wellness Plan development

• Support seniors to access appropriate range of activities and suitable community resources by developing individual wellness plans.
• Using a “what matters to you” approach refer seniors to community-based service;, observe and assesse the participant's engagement with resources (including, for example, emotional, psychological, and functional status), and modify activities to meet the participant's changing needs.
• Provide information regarding appropriate community resources to socially support the participant and their families.
• Effectively collaborate within the Agency's and community's Seniors Services to provide multidisciplinary care for the best interest of the senior.
• Assist with connection to a primary care provider.
• Engage and participate in educational training for seniors on topics such as healthy aging and other relevant topics.

Documentation of referrals

• Document participants' interactions, wellness plans, reports, and other administrative duties as
• Provide follow-up notes to continuing community health care provider if requested.

Evaluation

• Participate in evaluation of programs including collection of participant data, reporting at regular intervals, and attending communities of practices.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in social service or related Human Services field or a combination of relevant education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of seniors' issues and challenges related to healthy aging.
• Experience working with seniors and diverse populations from different cultures and socio- economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of the community resources, programs and
• Minimum two (2) years recent related experience in a similar role, preferably with documentation of effective performance and demonstrated professionalism.

Skills and Abilities:

• Organizational effectiveness and operations management: Knowledgeable in these areas with a track record of practical application in professional settings.
• Business financial principles: Familiar with fundamental financial concepts relevant to business operations.
• Budgeting and forecasting: Experienced in planning and projecting financial needs and expenditures.
• Adaptability: Quick to adapt to standard corporate software platforms and utilize web-based learning tools effectively.
• Positive interaction: Consistently demonstrates the ability to engage positively in professional contexts.
• Active listening and problem-solving: Skilled in attentively understanding issues and devising effective solutions with residents, workers, and colleagues.
• Communication and presentation: Excellent proficiency in written and verbal communication, along with the ability to deliver engaging presentations.
• Cultural humility and sensitivity: Demonstrated experience in promoting understanding and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Microsoft software proficiency: Competent in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and other related software for productivity.
• Organization and prioritization: Highly motivated and detail-oriented, with a strong aptitude for organizing tasks and prioritizing effectively.
• Leadership: An approachable leader who fosters a flexible, diverse, and supportive workplace culture.
• Coaching: Utilizes a collaborative coaching style to enhance the abilities of others and encourage their best performance.
• Emotional intelligence: Possesses the ability to understand and manage personal emotions as well as empathize with others.

Please be aware that we will not consider your application without a cover letter, which explains your interest in this job.

Smithers Community Services Association ensures equitable, objective hiring processes based on merit. Committed to diversity within our community and our staff, we welcome all applications, including those from visible minority members, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and other individuals not listed here who may contribute to our inclusive practice and the further diversification of ideas.