Job Description
The Family Support Practitioner plays a key role in supporting families with young children by promoting healthy child development and strengthening parenting skills that address and mitigate risk factors that impact family functioning. This position works collaboratively and in partnership with colleagues, community agencies and participants to support opportunities to build natural and formal networks of support and connection.
This role primarily works with families in their homes providing targeted and intensive services. Family Support Practitioners also support children, parents, caregivers and families through various formats, including group sessions, community outreach, and drop-in programs. This role will also connect with families through phone calls, emails, and virtual sessions to ensure accessible and responsive support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build trusting relationships with families to support their well-being
- Provide standardized screening, parenting scales and tools, to assist participants in improving family function and child development outcomes
- Identify risk factors and conduct safety screenings related to family violence and mental health concerns, completing safety plans when applicable
- Collaborate with other early childhood professionals, community agencies and other service providers to identify gaps in services and ensure families have access to the resources they need
- Plan and facilitate skill-building and knowledge transfer opportunities for parents and caregivers through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and community presentations to promote health, wellbeing and resiliency
- Assess family strengths and needs to help create goals and strategies that enhance parenting capacity
- Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to professional standards in case management, ethics and supervision
Qualifications and Skills:
- University degree in Social Sciences (Human Ecology, Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Development, Education, etc.)
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in the areas of child and youth development, parenting support, adult education and community development
- Extensive knowledge about child development and parenting strategies
- Completion of core Home Visitation training (eg. Health for Two, Circle of Security, PICCOLO, Integrated Strategies, Family Violence Protocol, ASQ/ASQ-SE, Triple P) is an asset
- Intermediate (Standard) First Aid Level C CPR certification is an asset
- Broad based knowledge of community resources and experience assisting with supported referral and navigation through complex systems and processes
- Experience using risk assessments, mental health screens, parental scales and developmental screening tools is required
- Well versed in brain science, normative child development, adverse early childhood experiences (ACES), ecological perspectives and importance of play in growth and development
- Familiar with the Government of Alberta’s Well-being and Resiliency Framework, the Family Resource Network model, and Child,Youth and Family Enhancement Act
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to quickly process and synthesize large volumes of information in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to apply creative and innovative solutions to support families and caregivers
- Strong proficiency in case note documentation, data collection, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance with program and funding requirements, while effectively using databases and Microsoft Office Suite to manage and organize information
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
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.
