Job Description

COMMUNITY FACILITATOR

Working Adults Learning Empowering Skills (WALES) Group

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region

ROLE:

The WALES group exists to facilitate, encourage and support community connections and opportunities for members. The group itself is an important vehicle and hub of learning and development. However, the real magic comes from the connections, goals and opportunities members find and create in the community. WALES is all about individualized goals and opportunities, accessing existing community resources and support, and building relationships. WALES Community Facilitators are key pieces to this work, providing support and connections to group members. As a WALES Community Facilitator, you will assist members in using their time with WALES to develop and work on individual goals that are personally meaningful. You will be responsible for representing EAFWR and its values and mission while working alongside members on their goals both at WALES and in the community. WALES is a support to adults with developmental disabilities in our community.

HOURS AND PAY:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule totaling 35 hours/week as follows:
  • 25 hours within 8:30-3:30 Monday-Friday
  • 10 hours flexible evenings and weekends
• Band 5 - Starting between $27.14 - $28.60 per hour
• Enrollment in EAFWR base benefit package after three months of regular employment. Including extended health, dental, healthcare spending account (HSA), LTD, ASI and life insurance, RRSP.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary diploma in a related field with related experience (or equivalent years of experience)
• Knowledge of local community resources and services is an asset
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for internal, and community-based communication (i.e. employers, community centers, local services, etc.)
• Working knowledge of computer applications (Microsoft Office, database, Google suite)
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to support multiple people throughout the day
• Excellent creativity, innovative thinking, problem-solving skills to see beyond typical community ideas and solutions to creatively foster new opportunities
• Proven ability to multi-task while working under pressure. Facilitating multiple schedules simultaneously in a fast paced, energetic environment
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a member of a team
• Ability to network and build relationships with stakeholders
• Access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance is an asset
• Teaching, coaching, counseling skills, and/or experience supporting mental health are an asset

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Display Evolving-Leading level competency which is defined as working with others and taking ownership for growth and development, as well as leading others and beginning to exhibit system level thinking and acting as an agent of change. Competencies required in this role:

• Advocacy
• Building Relationships
• Championing Change and Innovation
• Problem-Solving and Decision Making
• Facilitating Growth and Development
• Resilience
• Valuing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

*The requirements listed are guidelines. Candidates do not have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification to be considered.*Best serving our community requires greater diversity of background and personal experiences. Applicants with lived experiences with mental health, disability, or who identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply, and to seek accommodation as required, to support their candidacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:

Reporting to the Community Participation Services Manager, the Community Facilitator will:

Provide support to WALES Members by:

• Building working relationships with members
• Assisting individual members in establishing goals and creating their person directed plans, assessing individual members’ needs to meet their goals
• Assisting members in the exploration, evaluation and use of resources in achieving personal goals related to employment, volunteerism and rec/leisure programing
• Liaising with relevant community groups, services, and businesses
• Fostering independence by gauging needs and skills through coaching in the community
• Facilitate group settings and workshops for members
• Providing support with problem solving and mediation between members, and their families
• Using advocacy and education to support members’ goals in community
• Using approved de-escalation techniques where necessary
• Monitoring safety both at WALES and in the community
• Coordinating transportation as needed
• Collaborate to create monthly newsletter for communication with members, community partners and families

Provide support to EAFWR and the WALES team:

• Becoming familiar with EAFWR and WALES policies and procedures as well as the organization’s vision
• Assisting other WALES staff and volunteers in meeting the needs of the members
• Ensuring lines of communication between staff, members, volunteers, homes and community partners are effectively used and maintained
• Support and share supervision of placement students assigned to each facilitator team
• Being a conscientious, active team player
• Participate in agency wide training/learning groups as required
• Collaborate with other teams within the agency to meet the needs of services we provide

Build Relationship with and Provide Support to Community Partners by:

• Providing training in working with WALES members when necessary
• Facilitating communication and intentional relationships amongst WALES members, their communities, families and employers
• Collaborating with community partners around program creation/facilitation
• Openness to building, leveraging and maintaining community networks in support of members

Attend Meetings:

• Participate in initial members intake meetings/tours as requested/required
• Facilitate/ participate in person directed planning meetings
• Attend weekly WALES staff meetings and weekly facilitator meetings
• Attend monthly EAFWR staff meetings on a rotational schedule with other WALES staff
• Attend other meetings as requested/required

Prepare Reports:

• Prepare Person Directed Plans
• Maintain files of individual members
• Maintain attendance reports
• Prepare individual members’ evaluation reports as requested/required
• Complete other reports as requested/required (Unusual Incident Reports, Serious Occurrence Reports)

Accept Other Duties:

• Occasional use of personal vehicle to drive members/ assist with transportation
• Other duties as requested/required

Interested applicants are requested to attach both a Resume and Cover Letter to the ADP Application. A Cover Letter can be uploaded as an Attachment.