Community Link Worker

Unison at Kerby Centre is a non-profit organization located in the west end of downtown Calgary. Dedicated to enhancing life for older Calgarians, Kerby Centre offers an exciting opportunity to engage in meaningful community development and build a career in the charitable sector.

Position: Community Link Worker
Terms of Employment: Full-time, Fixed-term contract (18 months)
Salary: $56,100 per year with benefits
Location: Calgary

Job Purpose

The Community Link Worker provides frontline navigation, outreach, intake, assessment, referral coordination, and follow-up support for older adults aged 50+ connected to participating seniors’ centres within the Super Membership network. Using a strengths-based and person-centered approach, the Community Link Worker helps individuals identify and access non-medical community supports, income and benefit programs, housing-related resources, and social opportunities that enhance independence, quality of life, and aging in place.

The Community Link Worker supports older adults in overcoming barriers to accessing services by facilitating connections to available programs, resources, benefits, and community supports. The role works collaboratively with seniors’ centres, municipal services, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), seniors-serving agencies, housing providers, and community organizations to improve access to services and supports that promote financial well-being, housing stability, social connection, and community inclusion.

The position contributes to improved access to supports and services for older adults by collecting data, tracking outcomes, identifying service gaps, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Intake, Assessment, Navigation and Referral Coordination

• Receive referrals and conduct intake conversations with older adults seeking support through participating seniors’ centres and community partners.
• Complete strengths-based assessments to identify client goals, needs, barriers, available supports, and opportunities to enhance quality of life and community connection.
• Develop individualized support plans that prioritize client choice, independence, and self-determination.
• Provide information, navigation, and referrals to appropriate community programs, resources, and services.
• Facilitate warm referrals and coordinated connections to community organizations and service providers.
• Support clients in accessing:
     o Income support and benefit programs
     o Tax filing and tax preparation supports
     o Affordable housing information and housing-related community supports
     o Food security resources
     o Recreation, educational, and social programs
     o Volunteer opportunities
     o Community engagement activities
     o Caregiver and family support resources
     o Financial literacy and financial benefit programs
     o Municipal, cultural, and community-based programs and services
• Assist clients with applications and forms related to government benefits, subsidies, and community support programs.
• Support older adults in accessing tax preparation services and understanding available tax-related benefits and credits.
• Encourage and strengthen natural support systems, including family, friends, neighbours, and community networks.
• Conduct follow-up with clients to assess referral outcomes, address additional needs, and support successful service connections.
• Advocate on behalf of clients, as appropriate, to reduce barriers and improve access to community supports and services.

2. Outreach and Community Engagement
• Conduct proactive outreach to engage older adults who may be isolated, underserved, or unaware of available supports and services.
• Build trusting relationships with older adults, member centres, and community partners through one-on-one interactions, presentations, information sessions, and community events.
• Promote awareness of programs, services, benefits, and resources available to older adults.
• Provide regular on-site presence at participating seniors’ centres to facilitate access to information, navigation support, and referrals.
• Identify emerging needs, service gaps, and trends affecting older adults across participating seniors’ centres.
• Support initiatives that reduce social isolation and strengthen community connectedness.
• Collaborate with member centres to identify opportunities for enhanced service delivery and member support.

3. Program Evaluation, Data Collection and Reporting
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely client records and documentation.
• Track service utilization, referral activity, client outcomes, and follow-up results.
• Collect and report quantitative and qualitative data related to program performance, member needs, and client outcomes.
• Track outcomes related to successful service connections, client engagement, access to benefits, housing-related supports, and community resources.
• Monitor trends, service gaps, and emerging needs identified through participating seniors’ centres.
• Prepare reports, statistics, and summaries as required by funders and organizational leadership.
• Identify opportunities for program enhancement and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience
• Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Community Development, Gerontology, Sociology, or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in community outreach, social services, seniors’ services, community navigation, benefits navigation, housing support, or a related human services field.
• Experience working directly with older adults and a demonstrated understanding of the social and practical challenges and opportunities associated with aging.
• Experience conducting client intakes, assessments, service planning, and referral coordination.
• Experience supporting clients with benefit applications, tax clinics, financial assistance programs, or housing resources is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of community navigation, social prescribing-informed approaches, and community-based supports for older adults is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Strong knowledge of community resources, programs, supports, and services available to older adults.
• Knowledge of government benefits, income supports, subsidies, tax credits, and housing-related resources available to seniors.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and establish effective working relationships with clients, families, seniors’ centres, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Strong assessment, problem-solving, and community navigation skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong facilitation and community engagement skills.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and report program and outcome data.
• Demonstrated commitment to strengths-based, person-centered, and culturally responsive practice.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.

Other Requirements
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and use of own vehicle required.
• Satisfactory Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends to support community outreach and engagement activities.

Working Conditions:
• Community-based position serving older adults living independently throughout the City of Calgary.
• Requires flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing community needs and priorities.
• Combines independent work with collaborative, team-based service delivery.

To Apply: Please Send your resume to careers@unisonalberta.com stating the position title in the subject line.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.