Job Posting: Temporary Support Worker interested in crafts
We are looking for an upbeat, enthusiastic and reliable coworker to support adults with special needs in our day program. Successful candidate will be working alongside other coworkers supporting companions to participate in variety of craft workshops. Candidate is able to offer one-to-one support to individuals that need it (including personal care).
About Cascadia
In Cascadia, we strive to build a community that celebrates each individual and makes a social and cultural contribution to society. All members of our community, regardless of ability, practice caring for the well-being of the human spirit within each of us.
Every day is a learning experience at Cascadia, a community where individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities join together to build skills and enjoy artistic and recreational activities. Weaving, candle making, and pottery workshops, as well as artistic activities including painting, music, and drama fill most of our days. A connection to the earth is fostered in the garden program by growing seedlings for transplant, herbs for teas and cooking, vegetables and fruit for eating. The garden crew also cares for the beautiful gardens and yards around the Cascadia Centre and residences.
Our seasonal plays are another highlight of Cascadia life. These festival celebrations often combine the arts of producing creative backdrops, movement, and music. And each summer, the whole community works together to create a large-scale installation or at times a performance art piece. Past projects include the intricate mosaics that form pathways and patios throughout our community, yarn paintings ornaments knit around and hung in the trees along our street, refurbishing and painting designs on instruments set throughout our neighbourhood for anyone who passes by to play.
To get a better sense of our community please explore our website: https://www.cascadiasociety.org/
Agreement between individuals that choose to align themselves with The Cascadia Society
The Cascadia Society recognizes that many ethical decisions are required when supporting companions and each other. Our Code of Ethical Conduct provides a basis for resolving ethical questions and dilemmas by establishing guidelines for responsible behaviour.
While the statements in the Code of Ethical Conduct provide specific direction in addressing some ethical problems, situations may also require co-workers to combine these statements with sound judgement, and knowledge of the core values expressed in the Society’s Mission, Vision, and Values Statements. These core values recognise the importance of respect, equality, family and support networks, collaboration, and diversity.
Independent Program Coworker
There are companions who require one-on-one support. With the support of a one-on-one coworker, such companions are able to receive a specially-designed program tailored to their particular needs. One-on-one companions may be integrated into the regularly scheduled Cascadia day program activities or may have an independent schedule. The one-on-one coworker’s primary task is to create opportunities for the companion to be successful in any given task or social situation.
Duties:
An independent program coworker undertakes to
- Form a supportive relationship with the companion.
- Assist the companion in positive social relationships with all the individuals in the Centre. Assist in positive social relationships and the possible need to be a role model when in the greater community.
- Carry the awareness of the companion’s needs with in the day centre hours—physical, social, developmental, health and safety.
- Work with the program director to design the independent program. Assure that an open communication exists between all the companion’s independent program coworkers and that relevant information is shared in a timely and responsible manner.
- Carry out the program.
- Learn new skills if needed to assist in carrying out the program. Communicate adjustments to the program to the program director. The written program needs to be current at all times.
- Participate in the creation of a service plan (ISP) for the companion.
- Work with the program director (also responsible for quality assurance)—both are responsible for the plan’s delivery and outcomes measurement.
- Recognize the special circumstances of the companion’s participation within the day program and assist the companion to be a part of the Cascadia community—this requires attending joint activities within the entire companion/coworker circle and assuming an advocacy role within the Cascadia community.
- Maintain a therapeutic attitude even when teaching the individual a skill.
Skills Assistant
Many of the workshops and other activities at Cascadia centre on the development, maintenance, and practice of a variety of skills. These skills could be social, artistic, or practical in nature.
Duties:
A skills assistant undertakes to:
- Show, assist, guide, and instruct participating companion into a skill.
- Allow for practice and refinement of that skill.
- Be mindful of the mood of quiet concentration necessary for focused activity during the designated skill sessions.
- Create a mood of camaraderie and social caring among the participants, especially during the shared tea and lunch breaks.
- Co-carry responsibility for the maintenance of the designated work area. This includes tidiness, cleanliness, order, and beauty.
- Assist the skills master in all aspects of the craft, from design to sales.
- Be mindful of the individual service plan’s delivery and measurement of outcomes.
- Be mindful of all necessary companion supports: physical, social, developmental, and health and safety.
Requirements of All Coworkers
- View oneself as a member of the life sharing community within the day centre and support its vibrancy and development.
- Recognize Cascadia’s philosophic roots in Anthroposophy and Camphill and how these streams inform our activities and approaches.
- Demonstrate a willingness to support and contribute to the Cascadia Society mission.
Operational Competencies
Accountability—Able to:
1. take responsibility for own behaviour and actions as related to work performance;
2. stay on task and meet expectations;
3. address issues or concerns in a timely and transparent manne
Adaptability—Able to:
1. adapt working style when called for;
2. work effectively when tasks suddenly change;
3. easily adapt to new work environments / different rules
Cooperation—Able to:
1. work effectively with others in order to achieve a shared goal;
2. share knowledge and experience;
3. be open to hearing other people’s opinions and ideas;
4. notice when others need help and assist them when necessary
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
- Coworker flexibility (i.e., group or one-to-one setting with a companion as required)
- The Cascadia Centre business hours are between 8:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday–Friday, and the coworker’s activity will be within these hours. On occasion (i.e., special activities, late companion pickups), coworkers may be asked to work outside of that time frame.
- Coworkers must be in general good health and able to support some light lifting (i.e., while helping with a companion’s personal hygiene needs).
Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, Characteristics, Certification)
- Minimum High School diploma or equivalent
- Minimum 1 year experience working at a Camphill program or other experience working with individuals with special needs
- Must be punctual, meticulous, and reliable
- Courteous manners with the public (ability to interact in a mindful and professional manner)
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: From $23.88 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
Flexible language requirement:
Licence/Certification:
- First Aid Certification (required)
Work Location: In person
