Family Support Practitioner

The Family Support Practitioner plays a key role in supporting children, parents, caregivers, and families by promoting healthy development, strengthening parenting skills, and addressing risk factors that may impact family well-being. This position works collaboratively and in partnership with colleagues, community agencies, and participants to support opportunities that build natural and formal networks of support and connection.

This role is responsible for delivering a comprehensive range of targeted and intensive programs and services to families with children and youth aged 0 to 18 through individualized support, group sessions and other service delivery approaches. The Family Support Practitioner applies evidence-informed practices to support child development, parenting capacity, and family resilience while connecting families with appropriate community resources and services.

This posting is for 1 full-time hourly position up to 8 months

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with participants and families to support their well-being.

• Provide standardized screening, parenting support, and strength-based interventions to assist participants in improving family functioning and child development outcomes.

• Identify risk factors and conduct safety screenings related to family violence, mental health concerns, and other complex social factors when appropriate

• Collaborate with other internal supports and community service providers to ensure participants have access to the supports they need

• Plan and facilitate skill-building opportunities for parents and caregivers through workshops, one-on-one coaching, and community presentations

• Assess family strengths and needs to develop participant-directed goals and service plans that support parenting capacity and family resilience

• Connect with families through in-person meetings, phone calls, email, and virtual sessions to provide accessible, responsive, and timely support

• Provide information, supported referrals, and navigation assistance to help families access community resources and services

• Support the development of natural and formal networks of support for children, parents, and caregivers, while fostering culturally responsive and inclusive approaches that honor each family’s unique beliefs, traditions, and strengths

• Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to professional standards in case management, ethics, supervision, and program requirements
   

Qualifications and Skills:

• University degree in Social Sciences (Education, Child and Youth Care, Early Childhood Development, Social Work, Human Ecology, etc.)

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in areas such as child and youth development, parenting support, family support, or community-based services

• Experience facilitating research-based or evidence-informed programs

• Strong understanding of child development, family well-being, and resilience within the context of social determinants of health

• Experience working with families experiencing complex needs or life stressors

• Ability to apply screening and assessment tools such as risk assessments, mental health screens, parental scales, or developmental screenings

• Knowledge of community resources and experience supporting referrals and system navigation

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with participants, community partners, and service providers

• Strong problem-solving, documentation, and information management skills with proficiency using databases and Microsoft Office Suite

• Ability to work independently while contributing positively within a team environment
   

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, collaboration, and accountability.   

Why Join Strathcona County:   

• Competitive salary   

• Health and wellness spending account       

• 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 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.