Full-Time Family Support Coordinator Position – Temporary to August 31, 2027
True North Society - Strathmore, Alberta
Established in 1993 and located 35 minutes east of Calgary in Strathmore, Alberta, True North is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all individuals impacted by domestic violence. True North provides short-term emergency shelter, community programming, outreach services, referral, and advocacy. We also provide ‘wrap around’ services such as family violence prevention services in partnership with Siksika Supports and the RCMP. We are considered a valuable service provider in the community and are a member of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS).True North is a unionized workplace under CUPE 4731.
Our Mission
Together we walk the path with those in crisis: honoring the past, providing support in the present, and awakening hope for the future.
Our goal is to provide non-judgmental support, active listening, and assistance to all individuals impacted by abuse. At True North, we celebrate diversity; respecting each person’s unique culture, history, and life experiences is foundational to our care practices.
Our Vision
Interrupting the cycle of abuse through empowerment to create a safe environment for all.
The True North Society is committed to helping build a safe and secure community free from abuse. We aim to help prevent abuse through education and community programming, reduce the recurrence of violence through counselling and support programs, and respond to abuse by assisting survivors in building the skills and confidence needed to live independently.
Why Join Us?
In joining the True North team you will become a part of a dedicated and passionate group of professionals who value healthy workplace culture and wellness. Our team is dedicated to helping all people impacted by abuse through a client centered, strengths-based approach.
True North offers
· Comprehensive health benefits package spilt between employer and employee including 100% dental coverage, 80% prescription coverage, and generous annual spending for massage, osteopath, therapist, acupuncture, medical devices and more
· 12 health and wellness days per year for all full-time employees
· Generous vacation policy (starting at 3 weeks per year for full-time employees)
· Regular group and individual supervision
· RRSP matching program after 1 year of full-time employment
· Paid breaks
· Ample professional development opportunities
· Positive, professional and fun workplace environment and culture including team building days, offsite “field trip” opportunities and social committee hosted events
· Ongoing training opportunities provided by True North including, but not limited to, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Suicide Intervention, WHIMIS, Food Handling, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Trauma Informed Practice and Health and Safety.
The Role
True North is seeking a Temporary Full-Time Family Support Coordinator (Term ends August 31, 2027) - 40 Hrs/ Week. This position reports to Team Leads.
The regular schedule is:
Week One: Tuesday to Saturday
Week Two: Monday to Friday
Core working hours are generally between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. with 8 or 10 hour shifts available.
Work schedule flexibility is available and will be determined collaboratively based on the successful applicant's preferences and the needs of the program and clients.
This position works in a pet-friendly shelter environment. Dogs or cats may be present on site at any time, and robust health and safety measures are in place to support both staff and clients.
Who You Are
A dedicated, mature and professional individual with a solid understanding of domestic violence dynamics, including the cycle of violence, experience and comfort in working with vulnerable individuals and families, risk assessment, resource-based interventions and safety planning. The successful candidate will possess skills in non-profit program and services operations, case management, provision of psychoeducation to parents and families, group facilitation, resource-based interventions and risk assessment.
· Have a working knowledge of the causes and consequences of domestic abuse and the impacts on children.
· Have a working knowledge of trauma sensitive principles and practice.
· Demonstrate strong client centered support skills and a working knowledge of crisis intervention.
· Demonstrate creative problem-solving skills and excellent communication skills
· Ability to build trusting, healthy relationships with caregivers and their children
· Good organizational and assessment skills and ability to prioritize
· Ability to work in a team environment
· Understanding of the Ages and Stages Model and Tool
· Knowledge of parenting supports, strategies and resources
· Ability to work independently and as part of a team
· Strong interpersonal skills combined with excellent organizational, problem-solving and communication skills
What You Will Do
The Family Support Coordinator is responsible for assisting children and families who present a broad spectrum of symptoms related to exposure to simple or complex traumatic events. The goal of the program is to use targeted prevention and early intervention processes to engage with families and provide high-quality supports surrounding healthy communication skills, healthy routines, emotional regulation skills, creating boundaries and increasing self esteem. The increase in individual protective factors, social protective factors and familial protective factors targets the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and mitigating risk factors which helps to interrupt and prevent cycles of family violence. Caregivers will be involved in the programming by receiving support to determine the needs of their children in the areas of development, social-emotional skill, and physical health. The role requires some short distance travel (Strathmore and Calgary areas) and supporting families and children in the community as well as on site at the shelter. This role does not require home visits and provides use of a company vehicle to transport families to meetings, outings or appointments where necessary.
· Lead with the Vision, Mission and Values of True North as your guide.
· Work collaboratively and communicate effectively to ensure effective operations of True North.
· Programming is intended to be short term service that relies on resourcing the child and their families with longer term services.
· Implement and display ongoing and current knowledge of trends in services and best practices in domestic violence shelters.
· Attend interagency meetings and other community initiatives as required.
· Represent True North in activities, events, meetings, as required.
· Comply with ALL policies and procedures of True North to ensure the organization functions smoothly, safely and efficiently
· Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and possess a clear understanding of professional ethics are paramount to all positions at True North
· Be proficient in the service delivery process: engagement, crisis intervention, intake, screening for developmental milestones utilizing the ASQ Questionnaires, case planning, safety planning and exit for each family.
· Lead Ages and Stages (ASQ) developmental screening processes, including assessment, family engagement, documentation, referrals, and collaboration with community partners to support positive developmental outcomes for children and families.
· Creates routines and a schedule of activities for the day and the week to children and parents, modeling intervention techniques and strategies, and providing information relevant to the needs of the children
· Provide parenting support and conduct children’s intakes for every family in the shelter.
· Provide short-term, supportive, child-centered, specialized support services to children and youth who have experienced family violence.
· Provide one-on-one support to children and caregivers living in the shelter community.
· Complete age-appropriate safety plans.
· Develop and implement supportive groups for children, adolescents and parents in shelter and in the community.
· Develop and implement relevant cultural supports for families into True North Programming
· Collaborate with and support when necessary other True North Programs such as Child & Youth, Shelter and Helpline programs
· Enhance culturally safe and relevant service provision for Indigenous and immigrant families within the municipality
· Provide appropriate referrals to internal and external programs for long-term intervention, support, and counselling.
· Collaborate with community agencies regarding the child’s needs and advocate when appropriate.
· Enhance collaborations with existing programs such as Child and Family Services offices and local schools in order to provide a continuum of support to families engaged in the program and reduce duplication of services
· Keep accurate case notes which meet organizational standards.
· Attend case conferences as appropriate with other service providers in consult with supervisor.
· Adhere to the record keeping and documentation expectations of the program.
· Attends staff meetings, team meetings and training sessions as requested.
· Actively participates in planning regarding the goals and objectives of the program.
· Establishes and maintains effective, healthy, trusting relationships with all staff and community partners.
· Contributes innovative, continuous improvement ideas for the program.
· Results and behaviours at work contributes to an overall positive workplace environment.
What You Bring
· A University Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Studies or other relevant disciplines. A combination of relevant experience and education may be considered.
· Registration in the appropriate professional body
· Ages and Stages Model knowledge and training would be considered an asset
· Current CPR/First Aid and suicide intervention training certificates
· Recent Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector and Child Intervention Checks
· Experience working with vulnerable populations or in the human services sector
· High Standards of professional integrity and proficiency
· Clear drivers abstract and an ability to travel with a road-safe, maintained vehicle
· Child Development Experience working in a Domestic Violence setting and/or with vulnerable populations
· Experience with resource-based interventions
· Strong computer skills and understanding of record keeping software programs, e.g. Outcome Tracker, Microsoft Office
To Apply:
True North is committed to employment equity and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences to apply. We value and embrace diversity and special consideration will be made in recruitment and selection of new employees who contribute to a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity.It is our intent to have a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We thank you for your interest in this role.
If you require accommodation to apply, please contact Joni Chyzyk, Operations Manager at [email protected] for assistance.
To Apply:
This position will remain open until September 10, 2026. Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. We appreciate your interest in this role. However, only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
Pay: $25.00-$28.25 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
