The Family Support Practitioner plays a key role in supporting children, parents, caregivers, and families by promoting healthy development, strengthening parenting skills, and addressing risk factors that may impact family well-being. This position works collaboratively and in partnership with colleagues, community agencies, and participants to support opportunities that build natural and formal networks of support and connection.
This role provides targeted and intensive services to participants and families through a variety of approaches including home visits, group sessions, community outreach, and drop-in programs. The Family Support Practitioner applies evidence-informed practices to support child development, parenting capacity, and family resilience while connecting families with appropriate community resources and services.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build trusting relationships with participants and families to support their well-being.
- Provide standardized screening, parenting support, and strength-based interventions to assist participants in improving family functioning and child development outcomes.
- Identify risk factors and conduct safety screenings related to family violence, mental health concerns, and other complex social factors when appropriate.
- Collaborate with other internal supports and community service providers to ensure participants have access to the supports they need.
- Plan and facilitate skill-building opportunities for parents and caregivers through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and community presentations.
- Assess family strengths and needs to develop participant-directed goals and service plans that support parenting capacity and family resilience.
- Provide information, supported referrals, and navigation assistance to help families access community resources and services.
- Support the development of natural and formal networks of support for children, parents, and caregivers.
- Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to professional standards in case management, ethics, supervision, and program requirements.
Qualifications and Skills:
- University degree in Social Sciences (Education, Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Development, Social Work, Human Ecology, etc.).
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in areas such as child and youth development, parenting support, family support, or community-based services.
- Experience facilitating research-based or evidence-informed programs.
- Strong understanding of child development, family well-being, and resilience within the context of social determinants of health.
- Experience working with families experiencing complex needs or life stressors.
- Ability to apply screening and assessment tools such as risk assessments, mental health screens, parental scales, or developmental screenings.
- Knowledge of community resources and experience supporting referrals and system navigation.
- Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with participants, community partners, and service providers.
- Strong problem-solving, documentation, and information management skills with proficiency using databases and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to work independently while contributing positively within a team environment.
Conditions of Employment:
- Submission of a Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Intervention Record Check
- Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s license and submission of a 5-year Driver’s Abstract with less than 7 demerits
- Ability to perform physical labour as part of the job duties including lifting 20 lbs.
- Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including daytime, evenings and weekends
Salary Range: $84,320.60 - $105,4141.40
Who We Are:
Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta. Our vision is to become Canada’s most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, fairness, and cooperation.
Why Join Strathcona County: (depending on position)
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Health and wellness spending account
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement and pension programs
- Paid and unpaid leave programs
- Earned day off program
- Employee and family assistance program
- Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities
- Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace
Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered. This role may be eligible to participate in our hybrid work program.
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months.
Strathcona County is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that represents the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
