The Families Matter Society of Calgary strives to promote optimal child development and family resilience by helping parents learn about early childhood development, strengthening parenting skills, promoting healthy relationships, and building natural networks of support.

Early Learning Across Cultures Family Support Worker

12-Month Contract, Full Time Position - 35 hours per week

We are looking for a passionate and committed professional to join our organization as a Family Support Worker with our Early Learning Across Cultures Program, which operates out of our northeast Family Development Centre in Calgary. The purpose of this role is to provide a combination of care-giver support, early childhood development for children 3-5, and cultural validation to provide families adequate support to better meet the needs of their children. This program allows for inter-cultural discussions and interactions that allow families to blend their existing practices with strategies that ensure optimal development of the child. The role will address these needs through parent-education (parents only), child-development programming, and parent-child interactive programming.

Educational Requirements

• Degree (preferred) or Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution, preferably in Education, Social Work, Child & Youth Care, or other field of study related to the position. We also encourage applications from candidates who have gained this knowledge through their work experience.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 1 year of demonstrated experience working with children under the age of 6.
• Experience supporting parent capacity around child development and parenting.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with early childhood development, early learning environments, and developmental screening (ASQ & ASQ-SE).
• Experience facilitating educational parent-child group activities.
• Demonstrated ability to support families around issues of child and family mental health.
• Collaborative experience working with internal and external partners.
• Must have a valid driver's license and use of own vehicle.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to apply a trauma-informed and culturally competent approaches
• Ability to support families from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of needs.
• Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship-building skills; ability to establish rapport and excellent communication with children, youth, families, staff, and volunteers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong time management and organization abilities.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Creativity, high energy, and a sense of fun.

Key Responsibilities

• Support newcomer parents and caregivers across multiple cultures to help their children reach developmental milestones through various programming opportunities.
• Develop and deliver engaging and interactive group programming for parents and children, at our Family Development Center. Examples of programming includes Nurturing Parenting classes, Drop-In programming, and the Kindergarten Readiness parent-child program.
• Assess and support mental wellness needs of parents and children.
• Maintain early learning spaces in our Family Development Center that encourage exploration, creativity, and child development in a child-safe environment.
• Network and collaborate with internal and external partners to support families.
• Complete assessments that are required by agency or funder directives (e.g., ASQs, participant feedback, etc.).
• Maintain client database entry and paperwork processes to ensure accurate participant data collection.
• Work together with other members of Families Matter team and community partners to deliver integrated services to children and their families.
• Participate in regular team, agency and community meetings.

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Salary & Benefits:$50,000

Our agency values the wellness of our staff, healthy work relationships, professional development, and work-life balance. We offer the option of condensed work weeks, excellent benefits, and advancement opportunities.

Closing Date: This posting will close once a suitable candidate has been hired. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and as such, we encourage you to apply early.

If this role sounds like a fit for your skills and passion, please submit your cover letter and resume to Jenessa Taylor at [email protected] or apply through this website.

We are an equal opportunity and non-discriminatory employer and welcome all qualified applicants. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For more information about the Families Matter Society, please visit:www.familiesmatter.ca