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Indigenous Cultural Support Worker

PHS Community Services Society is recruiting an Indigenous Cultural Support Worker to provide coverage at our Station Street Community supportive housing.

Reporting to the Station Street Community Program Operations Manager, the Indigenous Cultural Support Worker will provide daily supports within the program. This includes community-building, arranging regularly scheduled in-house meetings with residents, along with advocacy and facilitating connections to other community resources where needed.

The incumbent will be supported by a collaborative team, including management, residence supervisors, coordinators and external agencies, to develop, implement and review individual resident case plans. Cultural outreach and activity coordination for PHS will also be an important component of this position; bringing cultural safety, access, and ceremony to residents of the Downtown Eastside.

Honour and recognition of the work being done on the unceded traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), selí̓ lwitulh (Tsleil Waututh) and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Coast Salish peoples will be a constant in the responsibilities of this role.

Why work here?

PHS is recognized as North American leaders in low-barrier housing and harm reduction services. We are innovators, highly regarded across the sector, looking for people to join experienced, supportive multi-disciplinary teams.

You will be a valued member of the team, working with colleagues who respect your input.

We are a union employer. This is a CUPE 5536 union position, with benefits (extended healthcare, dental, vision), pension and there’s access to our family assistance program.

Responsibilities

Job duties include (but are not limited to):

• Contributes to a collaborative working relationship between internal/external stakeholders to develop, manage and evaluate participant care plans, which promote cooperative goal achievement considering client needs.
• Under the supervision of the Project Operations Manager, this position will support and advocate for residents at Station Street Community, creating space for hearing resident concerns.
• Using a holistic approach, utilizes traditional Indigenous practices with a focus on building community, recognizing family strengths and assets, and individual and cultural resiliencies by promoting and supporting traditional cultural teachings and practices.
• Guide families through a process of self-assessing their housing needs in a culturally relevant way.
• Develop housing readiness with the families, in order to maximize their success in maintaining housing.
• Work with the family to explore their options, including social, supportive, and market housing, and will walk them through the appropriate application The process will be based on principles of empowerment and capacity-building.
• Provide teachings, knowledge of Indigenous and urban Indigenous culture, traditions, and history as a way of supporting the family’s connection to their culture and community.
• Provides crisis intervention services in the event of overdose and responding to complex emergency situations and acting as a first responder. Strong knowledge of current street drugs (including illicit alcohol) and their presentation in individuals experiencing overdose symptoms is required.
• Liaising respectfully and professionally with government agencies and other service providers; attend and participate in case conferences to support residents.
• Observing and supporting family interactions; daily living support, as well as the behaviour of family members. Supervises visits of family members as required.
• Provides input regarding clients’ needs, performance, and progress, and assists the supervisor to develop plans to meet needs.
• Facilitates group and individual training sessions, and provides instruction and demonstrations in a variety of areas such as alternative parenting strategies and life skills.
• Identifies community resources to meet clients’ needs, and provides related information.
• Completes and maintains related records and documentation as appropriate.
• Accompanies clients on outings such as appointments, shopping and leisure activities.

Education and experience

The ideal candidate for this role has the following qualifications and skills:

• Minimum Diploma in Social Services, Indigenous Studies with a minimum of two years’ experience is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field is required.
• Current first aid, CPR and overdose management training is essential.
• Knowledge of mental health and health issues.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in cooperation with others.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Knowledge of child development, parenting, family systems, family violence, cross-cultural issues, and community resolution is an asset.
• A strong understanding of anti-oppressive practice and harm reduction.
• Experience with marginalized populations and strong relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated functional understanding of services available in Vancouver and experience relationship-building with social workers.
• Experience working with Indigenous populations.
• Comprehensive understanding of the impacts of colonialism, the 60s scoop, and structural racism as it applies to Indigenous people.

Terms of employment

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

Position term: Regular Full-Time.

Location: Station St.

Classification: CUPE 5536, Grid 34.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a criminal records check.

PHS strives to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the community we serve. We seek a diversity of skills, knowledge, backgrounds, and professional and lived experience in our staff. We particularly encourage applications from Indigenous individuals.

To comply with current Public Health Orders, some positions within PHS must be staffed by individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved medical exemption. Proof of vaccination status will be required for successful applicants for positions covered by the order.

How to apply

Send your resume to  jobs@phs.ca  today! Please include a cover letter identifying the position title you are applying for, and the qualities and competencies that would make you a suitable candidate.

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