Community Outreach Worker

ABOUT US

The City of Spruce Grove is a fast growing, dynamic city committed to building and maintaining a fiscally responsible community that serves our residents, attracts visitors, and promotes future growth. The “Values, We Live By” are accountability, communication, leadership, integrity, and respect while we work towards maintaining a work/play balance. We are an organization that cares, committed to public service, where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best work. We believe that by working together in a spirit of collaboration and respect, we can achieve great things.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Community Outreach Worker supports the City’s Outreach Programming by providing accessible diversion services to mitigate the impacts of complex social issues that can sometimes result in street-level social disorder. This generalist outreach position works in collaboration with law enforcement and supports individuals of all ages who are living without shelter, struggling with personal well-being (including mental health, addictions, or other challenges), or experiencing other life circumstances that result in multiple barriers to well-being. The highly adaptable and collaborative Community Outreach Worker uses their strong interpersonal skills to establish professional relationships with residents and service providers, provide system navigation support, demonstrate diplomatic advocacy, and work from a strengths-based, human-centred approach. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. This position reports to the Supervisor of Outreach Programming. This is a full-time, temporary position until March 27, 2026. The salary range is: $80,134.60 - $95,258.80.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Direct Resident Support

• Work in assigned partnership, which could include being paired with a law enforcement officer or another outreach worker, to provide a joint response to reports of social disorder or direct requests for support from community residents and businesses.
• Complete proactive outreach and wellness checks throughout the community, including in the City, and within forested areas/trails.
• Conduct ongoing evaluations of a resident’s biological, physical, and social needs to identify appropriate community resources and services that align with their circumstances.
• Collaborate with residents to develop a personalized service plan, using a strengths-based, human-centred and trauma-informed approach to ensure their needs and goals are prioritized.
• Provide mentorship and coaching for residents to self-advocate, negotiate, and access supports, including, but not limited to, medical, social, mental health, financial, and housing resources.
• Build professional helping relationships with residents to foster a sense of connection and trust while establishing and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Foster collaborative relationship with other department frontline service providers and the community-at-large by participating in case conferencing, collaboratively matching residents’ needs to appropriate service levels, and initiating smooth transitions of supports between service providers to ensure continuous and effective assistance.
• Demonstrate responsibility and diligence by maintaining organized and timely notes related to case interactions.
• Use sound judgment to analyze circumstances and recognize potential crises. Follow appropriate policies and procedures in all situations.
• On occasion, provide coverage for the outreach phone line, including triaging incoming calls, assessing urgency and needs, and assisting in the dispatch of team members to appropriate locations based on the nature of the request.
• Meaningfully engage in regular supervision with a direct supervisor to support professional growth and development, maintain personal well-being, and ensure ethical practice and accountability.

2. Community Relationship Building and Networking

• Maintain current awareness of community programs and services.
• Develop and maintain a network of community resources and professional contacts to work collaboratively in meeting resident’s needs.
• Demonstrate ability to work within multi-sectorial settings, including alongside Emergency and Protective Services
• Complete regular check-ins with local businesses while exploring new partnerships and working relationships.
• As assigned, lead, monitor, and evaluate special projects, including committees or interagency groups that align with the broader Community Social Development strategies.
• Foster relationships with equity-deserving groups and embrace the City’s commitment to Truth & Reconciliation and DIEB as it relates to advancing the priorities of the work unit.
• Facilitate constructive conflict resolution and dialogue regarding divisive issues within the community.

3. Leadership

• Provide consultation and guidance to the community regarding understanding and responding to complex social issues, including responding to public inquiries.
• Inform and support program and community development initiatives/strategies by acting as a Subject Matter Expert about vulnerable residents, including identifying needs, trends, and key learnings in our region and provincially.
• Use critical thinking to process information and make decisions, sometimes in time-limited settings.
• Ensure risk management and safety standards are aligned with legislation and/or corporate standards.
• Comply with the City's safety policies and procedures and contribute to a positive safety culture.
• Contribute to developing risk mitigation plans to support work on politically sensitive issues.
• Provide leadership for department and inter-department initiatives, processes, or planning when assigned.
• Participate actively in the work unit's strategic and service planning activities and cross-departmental working groups.
• Act as a City liaison within the community, ensuring that integrity, respect, accountability, and confidentiality are standard.
• Clearly articulate the benefits, values and outcomes of the Community Social Development department.

4. Administration

• Create succinct and professional reports, briefing notes, presentation material, and communications (emails and letters).
• Participate in annual strategic planning aligned with corporate plans (i.e. Social Sustainability Plan).
• Effectively manage records as per corporate and legislative standards (FOIP).
• Maintain timely and accurate resident records per applicable standards, policies, and regulations using the City’s identified data management system.
• Collect relevant outcome measures or use of data collection tools in relation to work.
• Contribute to monthly reporting by reviewing draft reports for accuracy.
• Use different forms of technology to ensure that case notes are completed promptly.
• Effectively utilize two-way radio and mobile phone applications required to ensure worker safety.

5. Other Duties

• Understand and adhere to City policies, procedures and standards, whether written or implied, as amended from time to time.
• Maintain and enhance professional and technical knowledge through professional development opportunities and participation in professional associations, as applicable.
• Contribute to a positive safety culture by always acting in a safe manner and complying with City safety policies and procedures for staff and contractors.
• Act as a steward of the City's Corporate Culture by following the “Values, We Live By”.
• Perform other job-related duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the Human Services Field, Social Work preferred.
• Five (5) years related experience in direct resident support, with experience working within multi-sectorial teams preferred.
• A combination of relevant education and equivalent work experience directly related to the specific position accountabilities may be considered.
• If educated as a Social Worker, registration with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and working knowledge of the ACSW Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics is required.
• Consistently adheres to organizational policies, professional standards, and legal requirements, ensuring trust and accountability in all actions and decisions related to working with vulnerable individuals.
• Knowledge and experience in evaluating complex biological, psychological, and social factors when supporting case planning for vulnerable individuals.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge in case management services, including risk assessments, harm reduction, strength-based and resident-focused service delivery, as well as trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
• Working knowledge of community resources, including awareness of eligibility requirements and processes.
• Advanced communication (oral and written) skills including the ability to deliver clear and engaging oral presentations to diverse audiences.
• Ability to confidently navigate complex and quickly changing interpersonal situations, including de-escalating dysregulated individuals.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with all levels within the organization and externally.
• Ability to effectively transfer ideas, concepts, and information into effective and efficient strategies.
• Ability to work within a multifaceted team environment.
• Strong customer service orientation and the ability to build positive, productive business relationships.
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in interpersonal dealings that are difficult, highly sensitive, and confidential.
• Ability to analyze and interpret administrative procedures, regulations, legal documents, and legislation.
• Enhanced knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint.

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certification.
• Formal training in verbally de-escalating potentially violence situations.
• Mental Health First Aid.
• Naloxone administration.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Class 5 Driver’s License.
• Must obtain a satisfactory review of a three-year Driver’s Abstract, with a maximum of six demerits.
• Proof of a designation and willingness to maintain the designation (as applicable).
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check Clearance – Vulnerable Sector.
• Satisfactory Child Intervention Record Check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Climbing ladders, balancing, crawling, crouching, depth perception/night, lifting, pushing, reaching (both arms), use of feet (for control), pulling, outside work.
• Lifting to 10kg (22 lbs).

NEXT STEPS

• You must apply through this portal to be considered. We do not accept applications through other forums.
• Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WHY WORK FOR US?

• Competitive annual salary
• Pension
• Medical & Dental Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Wellness Initiatives
• Work/Life Balance
• Recognized General Holidays
• Leave Options
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Perks
• Positive Work Atmosphere
• Employee Awards
• Volunteer and Fundraising Opportunities
• Professional Development