Supporting Independent Living Community Worker

Application deadline:
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Position Description 

Title: Supporting Independent Living Community Worker
Position Type: Contract ending March 31, 2027
Anticipated Start Date: April 1, 2026
Position Status: Existing Vacancy
Reporting To: Chief Operating Officer of Clinical Services
Salary: $28.00 per hour
Hours of Work: 40 hours – Monday to Friday – Flexible Schedule (includes .5 hour paid lunch break per day). Some Evening and Weekend work may be required
Benefits: Extended health and dental benefits 
Pension: Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan 
Vacation: 3 Weeks paid vacation (Pro-rated to calendar year) 

Position Summary

The Supporting Independent Living (SIL) Community Worker provides rapid response, short-term intervention to older adults living in high-risk and often unstable circumstances.
This role serves individuals who may be experiencing homelessness, addiction, mental health concerns, cognitive impairment including dementia, social isolation, poverty, or elder abuse. Many individuals supported by the SIL program are high users of emergency services and have limited or no informal supports.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the SIL Community Worker provides assessment, advocacy, system navigation, and intensive case coordination within a goal-oriented, time-limited framework. The focus of the role is to mitigate immediate risk, stabilize urgent situations, and increase safety, independence, and connection to appropriate long-term supports.

While employed by the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region, this position works in close collaboration with Niagara Region and maintains client documentation in accordance with Niagara Region policies and practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Client Assessment and Risk Mitigation

  • Receive and respond to referrals from internal and external partners regarding vulnerable older adults requiring urgent support
  • Conduct home visits independently and in collaboration with community partners to assess environmental, psychosocial, and health-related risks
  • Complete assessments using standardized tools (e.g., PIECES, SAFE TALK, Global Depression Scale, Zarit Burden Interview) as appropriate
  • Identify and prioritize imminent risks such as eviction, abuse, addiction, environmental hazards, or safety concerns
  • Develop and implement consent-based, goal-oriented service plans

Intensive Case Management and Service Coordination

  • Provide short-term, intensive case management to stabilize complex situations
    Act as the  Care Lead for clients, coordinating services and facilitating access to appropriate community and healthcare supports
    Initiate and participate in case conferences and collaborative planning with multidisciplinary partners
    Facilitate linkages to primary care, community health centres, hospital teams, housing supports, and other system partners

Advocacy and System Navigation

  • Advocate for client safety, dignity, autonomy, and quality of life
  • Provide navigation and support related to housing, finances, elder abuse, human rights, capacity and consent matters, and Public Guardian and Trustee involvement where appropriate
  • Apply relevant legislation including Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act, privacy legislation, and substitute decision-making frameworks

Education and Support

  • Provide person-centered education and support to clients and informal supports, informed by best practices and ethical standards
  • Offer peer consultation and education to support effective service delivery within the team and community partnerships
  • Participate in professional development, team meetings, and case reviews

Documentation and Data Management

  • Complete timely and accurate documentation in Niagara Region’s CRMS system and other required databases
  • Maintain appropriate statistics and reporting requirements

Organizational Participation

  • Participate in internal and external committees as required
  • Support special projects and assignments aligned with program priorities

Qualifications

  • Minimum Bachelor's degree in social work, gerontology or other related health care discipline. Registered health professional designation and Master’s level education preferred. Minimum of three years full-time experience working directly with people living with dementia and their caregivers
  • Member of good standing with an appropriate college/regulatory body or association is preferred
  • Experience working with highly vulnerable individuals with concurrent, complex issues (addictions, mental, physical and cognitive health) in a community setting.
  • Experience applying risk framework to enable safe work practices within unstable client and environmental situations  
  • Knowledge of available community services/supports and clinical, social and residential care options
  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
  • As ASNR clients include the most vulnerable persons, it is strongly recommended that all staff be immunized to help prevent the transmission of infections

Skills and Knowledge

  • Experience in community-based health context preferably working with a geriatric population
  • Demonstrated application of knowledge (dementia, mental health, addictions, homelessness, poverty and elder abuse issues) to support client interaction and goal setting
  • Excellent working knowledge of community supports within the Niagara Region
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of multiple teams in a trans-disciplinary nature
  • Ability to use discretion, judgment and tact in handling sensitive, confidential and/or contentious situations preserving the human dignity of the individual.
  • Demonstrated ability to build rapport, with clients, caregivers, and community partners for the purpose of building strong relationships, negotiating and influencing positive outcomes for a client centered car plan
  • Strong crisis management skills (GPA, ASIST, CPI), personal safety and risk management strategies
  • Excellent time management skills with the ability to self prioritize effectively
  • Must be highly adaptable, flexible and able to shift priorities quickly 
  • Knowledge of various related legislation (health consent, privacy, capacity, mental health and PGT)
  • Ability to learn quickly, practice innovatively and be highly collaborative
  • Demonstrate above-average problem-solving skills 

Working Environment

  • Everyday risks or discomforts may require safety precautions typical of an office environment (use of safe work practices with office equipment, proper ergonomics)
  • Physical demands are representative of the role where there may be extended periods of visual concentration; sitting in a stationary position, or standing
  • Equipment is utilized which is common to the office work environment (i.e. computer, printer, photocopier, multi-line telephone, fax machine, elevator etc.)
  • Required to carry out work activities outside of the office and will require the use of a vehicle
  • While performing their regular duties, employees in this role may come into contact with risks associated with the instability of client and environment, acting in a safe manner will be the priority of all staff members
  • Stressful situations may occur as the result of handling multiple, concurrent issues while ensuring the safety, comfort and complex needs of all involved
    ASNR adheres to a scent free environment

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Alzheimer Society Niagara Region welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity and social justice and we encourage applications from First Nations, Inuit and Métis, Indigenous Peoples of North America, Black and persons of colour, persons with disabilities, people living with dementia, care partners and those who identify as LGBTQ2S+. 

Commitment to Accessibility

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, The Alzheimer Society Niagara Region will provide accommodations through the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. If selected to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please inform the Hiring Manager of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

Use of AI in Applicant Screening

This posting is hosted on Indeed, which uses automated screening tools, including 'deal breaker' questions, to help filter applications based on required qualifications. These tools may automatically screen out applicants who do not meet the specified criteria before our hiring team conducts its review.

Click here to apply for this position through Indeed.