About Us

The Ministry of Social Services invests in positive outcomes for people in areas of income support, child and family services, supports for persons with disabilities and affordable housing. We work with citizens as they build better lives for themselves through economic independence, strong families, and strong community organizations.

The Opportunity

The Service Delivery Branch, Income Assistance Programs is responsible for supporting the most vulnerable people of Saskatchewan to meet their basic needs as they work toward becoming self-sufficient to the best of their abilities. We are looking for 5 citizen-centered, collaborative, and empathetic individuals who are devoted to supporting citizens in our community to join our team as Income Assistance Workers. In this role you will work with diverse and multi-cultural individuals/families who may face multiple barriers and challenges such as addictions, mental illness, disability, and unemployment. This role provides the opportunity to do work that is deeply meaningful and impactful in the lives of individuals and families in need.

In this role, you will:

• Meet, and engage with clients in person, virtually and in writing to determine their needs, barriers and goals;
• Determine initial and ongoing eligibility for income assistance benefits and/or lead, develop, monitor and evaluate the client’s progress within their plan and others involved;
• In a team environment, work collaboratively with colleagues, community, and clients to mobilize client’s personal resources toward self-sufficiency, using appropriate supporting interventions;
• Develop and maintain positive relationship with service providers, community organizations, and other government ministries and agencies; and
• Using tools, such as motivational interviewing, partner with clients as they set and work toward achieving their goals, applying a strength-based and solution-focused approach.

The Ideal Candidate

As our successful candidate, you will:

• Have knowledge and demonstrate respect and understanding of multi-cultural beliefs, values, and perspectives with a particular emphasis on First Nations and Métis;
• Have knowledge of social issues such as diversity, poverty, systemic and socio-economic issues and how they impact of people;
• Utilize motivational and supportive interaction techniques with a wide range of individuals who may display a broad range of emotions and behaviours to gather and evaluate relevant information, and the need for services;
• Have knowledge of human service programs and services offered through government and community-based programs;
• Have the ability to explain basic budget principles to clients and work within computer programs and databases;
• Have the ability to remain calm in conflict or stressful situations and be able to work with clients in a respectful manner;
• Have the ability to understand, interpret, apply, and adhere to procedures, policy and legislation such as the Saskatchewan Assistance Act, Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability/Saskatchewan Income Support program policy, as well as general knowledge of the Child Care Subsidy, Saskatchewan Employment Supplement, Saskatchewan Rental Housing Supplement, and others; and
• Be able to work in fast-paced, crisis-driven, challenging environment with frequent, ongoing change, multiple priorities and organize, present, and record information in a clear, concise, accurate, and timely manner which allows others to understand the reasons for a decision/recommendation or the need for further action.

The knowledge required for this position may be obtained through both education and/or Human Services related work experience. Typically, education such as an undergraduate degree in Social Work, Indigenous Social Work, Sociology, Human Justice, Psychology, or a related course of study will be valuable.

The work environment will be varied depending on the needs of the client group and the employer. The environment may include working at your computer for extended periods of time, interacting with clients and partner organizations in-person on-site or in a government office, virtually or by phone. Demonstrated experience in communicating and working with individuals and/or families in-person, in a professional and compassionate manner is critical to the success of the position. You must be able to work efficiently and effectively in a workplace environment where time pressures and caseload demands need to be balanced. This position may be required to travel within or between communities as required.

What we offer:

• Dynamic, challenging work;
• A competitive salary with increments;
• Comprehensive benefits package including pension;
• A focus on psychological and physical safety;
• Vacation, earned days off (EDO’s) and other types of leave;
• Inclusive work environments;
• Advancement opportunities; and
• Flexible Work Arrangements.