The Sinneave Family Foundation (Sinneave) – Background
The Sinneave Family Foundation is an operating foundation committed to a future where autistic adults live, learn, work, thrive, and realize their desired futures. We work to reduce barriers and enhance opportunities for autistic youth and adults. Sinneave operates The Ability Hub in Calgary as an inclusive centre for innovation, learning and connection.
Job Snapshot
Sinneave is recruiting for a Learning and Connection Associate.
This position is responsible for meeting with individuals, families and community members seeking information and navigation services. Learning and Connection Associates provide high quality, consistent and person-centred information and navigate appropriate individuals to Sinneave programs and services and/or community based resources.
As a Learning and Connection Associate, you will also support Sinneave’s various dynamic learning initiatives, which include workshops, presentations, course development, and online learning modules. These resources are designed to sustainably support learners and to build community capacity.
You will work with a small team of dynamic professionals who seek to learn from the community and collaborate on innovative and sustainable solutions to achieve Sinneave’s mission and vision.
This is a full-time position and pay is commensurate with job requirements and experience within a range ($47,000- $55,000 per year). Qualifications and experience will be taken into consideration. Sinneave also offers a comprehensive benefits program.
Work Context
In this role, you should expect:
· A set work schedule five days per week (Monday to Friday), for a total of 37.5 hours each week, scheduled between the hours of 8am and 7pm, with some flexibility
· Occasional weekend/evening work in support of community initiatives
· Collaboration with other team members, partners, and stakeholders
· An option to consider partially remote work (a hybrid work arrangement)
· A largely sensory friendly environment, with the opportunity to make adjustments as needed in order to support employment success
Skills and Competencies - Required
To be effective in this role, you must have the following skills and competencies:
· Digital skills - the capacity to understand and use:
o Microsoft Windows Operating System (e.g. File Explorer) and Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, Power Point)
o Online meeting platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom
o Learning Management Systems
· Communication Skills and Abilities:
o Active Listening - able to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times
o Comprehension - able to listen to and understand information and ideas presented verbally, respond to questions (in the moment), and to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
o Expression - able to present information and ideas clearly to individuals and groups, including co-workers and people external to the organization
o Writing – able to concisely communicate in writing so others will understand
· Analytic Skills (examining and evaluating information):
o Problem Solving – the capability to identify problems and review related information to develop solutions or feasible options to achieve the desired end state
o Analyzing Information – the capability to examine data or facts to determine appropriate actions or recommendations
o Advising – the capability to provide advice and guidance to enable decision-making
· Interpersonal Skills:
o Managing Conversation - able to lead and facilitate dialogue between two or more people, while adhering to agreed upon parameters and constraints
o Social Perceptiveness - the capability to be aware of others' reactions, unspoken communication, body language cues and feelings
o Cross-Cultural Sensitivity – The capability to communicate, interact and work appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds, in recognition that diversity is being both between and within cultural groups and can be expressed in customs, values, and ways of thinking and acting
· Resource Management Skills:
o Time Management – the capability to manage your time and complete tasks within reasonable time parameters
Personal Attributes - Required
To be successful in this role, you require the following personal qualities:
· Initiative – taking on responsibilities and challenges, proposing, doing or organizing something by oneself without being prompted by others (ability to work independently).
· Collaboration – contributing and working cooperatively while being supportive and inclusive of others to achieve a common goal (ability to work in a group).
· Service Orientation – actively looking for ways to help, serve, or assist others.
· Tolerance of Ambiguity – functioning in an environment where there is a degree of unpredictability of work activities (the focus of work may vary week to week).
· Reliability – being dependable and respectful of commitments.
· Continuous Learning – wanting to continuously develop and improve one’s skills, abilities and knowledge in order to adapt to changes and work effectively.
· Concern for others – having empathy towards others’ feelings and needs and being understanding and helpful.
Knowledge - Required
To be successful in this role, you require the following knowledge:
· General knowledge of the non-profit sector and awareness of community organizations that serve underrepresented groups.
Qualifications and Experience – Required
· Completion of a related college diploma or certificate that provided experiential learning, or 1-3 years prior work experience in a social or community service role working directly with individuals and/or families
· Previous experience using Learning Management Systems would be considered an asset
· Lived experiences and/or experience working directly with and advocating for those of diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic identities, abilities, LGBTQ2S+ group and specific experience related to neurodiversity would be an asset
Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent of this role will perform the following work tasks:
· Working Directly with the Public; Communicating with Persons Outside Organization; Assisting Others
o Takes a person-centered approach to service, recognizing that Autistics are experts of their own lives and impartially supporting their identified priority areas with reliable information
o Conducts information and navigation service meetings, sets expectations for meetings, including timeframe and action-based outcomes
o Guides discussions to identify opportunities for information and navigation and to assist stakeholders to learn about options related to their priorities
o Refer stakeholders to appropriate community resources, services and/or programs
o Attends community outreach meetings, resource fairs and other events as directed
o Liaises with community based information and navigation networks within the province in order to understand and access relevant information and resources
· Getting Information; Information Synthesis; Clerical Activities; Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
o Reviewing available documentation or background information and preparing potential resources related to primary reason(s) for meetings, where possible
o Ensuring that relevant data and information from meetings is appropriately collected and stored according to established processes
o Organizes and maintains materials/resources (i.e. community and government resources, books, journals, articles, brochures, information packages)
o Explores community programs and services to deepen information and navigation knowledge as directed
o Reviews relevant learning materials and information for understanding and accessibility to greatest audience possible
· Monitoring Processes, Materials or Systems
o Uploading, tracking and reviewing information and materials in the Learning Management System (LMS) to ensure content is up to date and accessible to users
o Supporting administration of the LMS, monitoring user experience, providing user support, responding to queries, and identifying changing user needs
o Investigating new LMS features, capabilities and performance enhancements, and advising the internal term on go-forward recommendations
· Thinking Creatively; Applying New Knowledge
o Identifies themes and trends in information and navigation needs using data to identify gaps in community-based services
o Offers suggestions and feedback on improving processes, materials, as well as consistency and accuracy of data collection practices
o Assists with developing and maintaining Learning and Connection operational activities (i.e. library/resources/intake databases, book list for website, etc.)
· Occasional Front reception coverage may be required from time to time
· Other tasks and projects as required
Sinneave is an inclusive employer that is open and flexible in its thinking and approach to recruiting. We encourage all qualified candidates to advise us of their particular needs or preferences as it relates to the interview and assessment process for this role.
Sinneave will use a multi-stage assessment and selection process with an expected offer going out to successful applicants by April 18, 2025 with a projected start date of May 5, 2025.
The first stage of the assessment process will invite selected candidates to draw from their experience to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and competencies related to certain aspects of the role. The second stage will invite selected candidates to participate in an interview.
Please send Applications and cover letters electronically to:
Amy Tatterton, Director of Learning and Connection, Amy.tatterton@sinneavefoundation.org
www.sinneavefoundation.org
Application Deadline: March 27, 2025
