Mission:          Empowering Teen Parents to Succeed

Vision:             Teen Parent Families Thrive and Enrich our Community

Job ID:             INTERNAL23-005TERRA

Services for Educational Achievement Worker

As a non-profit organization that has been serving pregnant and parenting teens in Edmonton for over 45 years Terra is recognized for its leadership, innovation and collaboration. Annually more than 1,000 young parents and their children benefit from a comprehensive range of services. Through the compassionate work of the staff, we help parents and children to develop and reach their full potential by recognizing and responding to their unique and individual needs.  Terra Centre staff are guided by the Code of Honour which supports, respects, and celebrates our families and staff (https://terracentre.ca/what-is-terra/careers/).  If you share our values and support our mission and vision please consider joining our team.

Job Overview:

The Services for Educational Achievement (SEA) Worker is responsible for the direct service delivery to pregnant and parenting families attending Braemar School with a focus on strengthening the parent/child relationship, supporting the achievement of education and employment goals, and building the family’s natural and community resources.  SEA Workers also play a key role in the Strengthening Hope Program as they assist, monitor and support participants who are receiving financial assistance through the program.  Reporting to the Program Supervisor, Services for Educational Achievement, SEA workers work closely with staff at Braemar School, other Terra programs and external agencies.

Job Conditions:

This is a permanent, full-time position (35 hours/week) with flexible hours to work 8:30AM – 4:00PM, Monday through Friday. Some evenings and occasional weekends will be required, based on needs of families and staff to support day/evening programming. The position is based out of Braemar School (9359 67A Street NW) but does require occasional travel to Terra’s main office (10329 146 St NW) and within the community.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide ongoing support to the young families through onsite visits, psycho-social educational groups, telephone and electronic contact, occasional home visits, as well as other support strategies.
  • Assist families in connecting with agency programs, community resources and arranging case conferences when required.
  • Support self-advocacy practices and advocate for families in crisis and assist with skill development in the areas of problem-solving, communication, decision-making and goal planning to increase their confidence in meeting the needs of their family.
  • Identify community resources and develop strong community relationships to continually enhance programming to meet both the needs of the families and the outcomes of the program.
  • Work collaboratively with participants, Terra program staff and funding partners to process Strengthening Hope Program funding applications while adhering to the SHP policies and eligibility requirements.
  • Complete and process required paperwork to track personal information changes, student terminations and changes to funding requests.
  • Regularly monitor, communicate requirements and create action plans with participants to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the funding program as needed.
  • Adhere to all safety protocols established by the agency for on-site group and community meetings/interactions.
  • Complete assessments and maintain filing, documentation and reporting according to program policies and procedures.
  • Celebrate achievements with each participant based on knowledge of their goals, milestones, and efforts towards the achievement of goals.
  • Compile monthly statistical information as required and collect outcome measures data and complete evaluation activities as required

Qualifications

  • COVID-19 vaccinations are mandatory for all Terra staff volunteers and contractors.  Successful candidates will be required to agree to comply with Terra mandatory vaccine policy and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of their employment before commencement.
  • Diploma or Degree in Human Ecology, Child and Youth Care, related Human Services program, or Social Work (If applicable, documentation of registration as a Social Worker as per provincial legislation is required)
  • Current Suicide Prevention Training (ASIST)
  • Current Standard First Aid Certificate
  • Familiar with funding options available to youth

Knowledge and Abilities

  • Ability to work with families from diverse cultural backgrounds and develop positive, effective, professional rapport and relationships with youth
  • Demonstrated effective coaching, facilitation, and communication skills
  • Knowledge of referral services and supports within the Edmonton community and/or the ability to research and connect with community resources
  • Understanding and knowledge of the issues pregnant and parenting young people face
  • Able to maintain confidentiality
  • Must also be able to problem solve, be flexible, have critical thinking skills 
  • Strong interpersonal, collaborative, and personal management skills

Other Requirements

  • Suicide Prevention Training.
  • Current Standard First Aid Certificate dated within 6 months.
  • Police Security Clearance (CRIM) dated within 6 months.
  • Child Intervention Check (CWIS) dated within 6 months.
  • Valid Driver’s License, Insurance Coverage (with 2 Million Liability), own vehicle and a clear Drivers Abstract dated within 6 months.
  • If applicable, documentation of registration as a Social Worker as per provincial legislation

Core Behavioral Competencies  

Terra values are core to the organization. We strive to hire individuals who possess these behavioral competencies at all levels of the organization.  

  • Personal Leadership: Practices inclusion, communicates openly and effectively, demonstrates self-awareness  
  • Productive Relationships: Develops networks, collaborates, develops self and others  
  • Results Focus: Applies outcomes-based problem solving and systems thinking, demonstrates evidence-informed decision making   
  • Service Excellence: Practices innovation, facilitates a culture of learning, demonstrates continuous improvement   
  • Program Planning; design, plan, coordinate, facilitation of groups 
  • Finance; manage allocated financial resources for program delivery  
  • Communication skills; excellent both written and oral; evidenced in grant writing and reporting to funders 
  • Community Relations; well-developed engagement skills, strong networking  

Diversity  

Fifty one percent of the young parents served by Terra are Indigenous.  The agency promotes and expects staff to invest in building knowledge and skills to be culturally competent in serving this population and all Black Indigenous and People of Colour.  Engaging in ceremony and cultural activities is stressed to promote experiential learning.  The Strategic Plan includes intentional actions to advance the agency efforts related to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

As an agency we are working to build a foundation of knowledge and skills to be an antiracist organization, to understand and respond to systemic racism that creates barriers and inequality in the workplace and in society. 

No person will be denied employment opportunities or benefits for reasons unrelated to their abilities. Recruitment and advancement will not discriminate on the grounds of any protected characteristics under Alberta Human Rights or Canadian Human Rights legislation.  

Individuals will be recruited to positions based on their skills, qualifications and attributes required for employment and alignment to agency core values. 

Vaccine Policy  

As a condition of employment, all Terra employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 or regularly undergo COVID 19 testing before entering the workplace.  Successful applicants will be required to provide proof of their COVID 19 vaccination prior to commencement.  If you are the successful applicant and cannot be fully vaccinated on the basis of a protected ground under human rights legislation you may request an accommodation that will be reviewed by Terra.

Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $45,00-$47,857 a year depending on experience and expertise. There is an opportunity for yearly increases in salary based on job performance.  

Upon completion of a probationary period, we offer a comprehensive, competitive, extended health benefits package including RRSP contribution. Staff have three weeks of vacation, and, in addition, the agency is closed between Christmas and New Years.

As a learning organization, Terra supports ongoing professional development among employees through formal training, informal mentoring, and personalized growth plans.  Terra is continuing to grow our programming and there are anticipated opportunities for further professional growth within the agency.