Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Sophie Gould

Regina,SK

Summary

In my current role as an Income Assistance Worker (IAW), I proficiently execute a wide range of responsibilities, demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of current IA programs, operational policies, practices, procedures, and systems. I effectively coordinate research efforts and develop actionable options to address various challenges. Cultivating and sustaining professional relationships with both internal and external partners is a key aspect of my role, ensuring a seamless collaboration and effective outcomes. I consistently prioritize meeting timelines and deadlines, facilitating the smooth progression of projects and tasks. Actively engaging in consultation processes, meetings, and forums, I adeptly integrate partner interests and concerns to foster productive collaborations, engage in conversations with co workers and support staff to garner new ideas for betterment and improvement, to not only the workplace but to also develop new ideas that will aid in serving clients to the highest standard achievable. Leveraging my experience and expertise with IA technology systems such as MiCase and SWIN, I efficiently navigate and utilize these platforms to enhance operational efficiency. Moreover, I actively contribute to business improvement initiatives, demonstrating initiative and innovation in executing my current responsibilities, taking part in personal and professional development opportunities as they become available. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, I seamlessly collaborate across divisions and organizations to achieve tangible results. Beyond my technical skills, I possess the personal qualities outlined in your job description. As a conceptual thinker, I am adept at generating innovative solutions to complex challenges. I thrive in collaborative environments, actively contributing to group discussions and fostering a positive team culture. My analytical mindset allows me to approach tasks with innovation and precision, while my strong communication and interpersonal skills enable me to effectively convey ideas and motivate team members to achieve high-quality results.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Income Assistance Worker

Ministry Of Social Services
10.2023 - Current
  • Assists clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social services.
  • Provides clients with information about current social assistance programs, resources and connect clients with other community agencies.
  • Advocates for clients to ensure their rights were protected, their needs met, and they are informed of all possible resources that they may be entitled to or benefit from.
  • Provides assistance in creating individualized social assistance applications that address clients' unique circumstances and referring client's to appropriate resources to achieve individualized goals.
  • Evaluating cases to determine urgent or emergency financial services as needed to support clients facing urgent challenges or emergencies.
  • Assigning cases to appropriate case management teams.
  • Conducts comprehensive assessments of client needs, including financial, emotional, and physical well-being to determine financial eligibility for social assistance.
  • Maintains accurate client records, documenting progress and adjusting case requirements as necessary.
  • Keeps meticulous and compliant documentation covering case activities for each individual as per policy requirements. Ensuring all client interactions are documented in a concise and professional manner.
  • Help's address problems by developing realistic, and implementable solutions, offering cost effective recommendations to improve current policies or procedures, creating open dialogue between management and operating staff to allow employees to feel heard and appreciated while collaborating to develop better work place practices.
  • Participates in staff fundraising events and opportunities within social services.
  • Participates in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in field of social work and expand knowledge on socio-economic factors that directly impact social assistance clients.
  • Conducts initial assessments of clients' situations to determine needs and goals, analyze current cases to determine eligibility, investigate suspected fraudulent applications, analyze documentation for accuracy and legitimacy, recognize inconsistencies and evaluate potential over/underpayments, and communicate requests with clients.
  • Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations related to social services provision by staying informed on policy changes.
  • Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to develop individualized plans for clients.

Director of Customer Service, PR and Communication

The Cranky Leprechaun
02.2018 - 12.2023
  • Determined upcoming trends and implemented strategic plans to utilize trends to further expand my customer base. Increasing sales by 187.7% year to date verus the same period in 2023 by using well thought out and customer centered communications.
  • Championed diversity and inclusion efforts within organization, including the hiring process, leadership and customer service roles.
  • Represented organization at industry events, networking with potential partners and clients at trade shows markets, promotional events and monitoring online presence via social media.
  • Ensured compliance with all relevant regulations, policies, and procedures, developed internal policies to ensure privacy, and occupational health and safety compliance
  • Developed strategic plans to achieve business goals and objectives by utilizing analytics gathered from a variety of sources including social media, self driven website traffic, Etsy and other selling platform data to create targeted and engaging promotional material
  • Evaluated employee performance, providing feedback and coaching for improvement. evaluations were conducted quarterly to determine improvement and potential growth opportunities, and mentorship requirement.
  • Conducted regular meetings with staff to ensure teams are on track to achieve personal and business related goals and targets.
  • Established strong relationships with commercial accounts and personal customers, to generate a continuous stream of revenue, develop professional reputation, and provide superior customer service to each client.
  • Oversaw daily operations, ensuring efficiency and productivity between staff and customers, oversaw quality control and set standards for each product created.
  • Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers for better terms or pricing.
  • A dynamic team leader with a passion for developing satisfied, appreciated, reliable, professional, well trained, emotionally supported and self-sufficient staff members that have been provide ample opportunity to develop their communication, leadership, analytical and professional skills by taking part in peer to peer training, support, coaching, mentoring, monitoring, supervision and leadership opportunities provided to them.
  • Evaluating staff performance to determine their competency to participate in career growth opportunities such as coaching/mentoring peers, take on supervisory roles during trade shows and in-person event attendance, negotiating pricing with vendors and customers, and taking additional training in other areas.
  • Scheduling of all business related matters such as staff schedules, event attendance and order management.

Personal Banking Advisor

Royal Bank Of Canada, RBC
09.2013 - 01.2018
  • Managed cash operations for both clients' and branch needs ensuring proper communication with relevant departments to maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Demonstrated a client-centered approach to all clients, inquiries and remained clam, collect and professional at all times. Excelling in client service by maintaining an individualized 9.5/10 LTR (likelihood to recommend) score through all years of service.
  • Cultivated trusting relationships with clients with a confident and professional approach by meeting their immediate needs and providing future opportunities.
  • Identified signs of fraud with checks, wire transfers and account withdrawals, as well as investigated any potential scams such as phishing, kiting, and online offers to clients.
  • Investigated transactional inquiries and implemented solutions while maintaining adherence to rules, regulations, and authority.
  • Regularly demonstrated sound judgement, reliability, and trustworthiness resulting in senior-level override authority.
  • Versatile and quick to pivot between positions based on institutional needs. Workplace was centered in a fast paced environment with frequent interruptions and tight deadlines.
  • Meticulous recordkeeper, ensuring precision internally and for regulatory compliance.
  • Eagerly sought out training for policy changes, regulation updates, and new/upcoming product development.
  • Adapted and quickly learned roles that were outside of my job description by taking on advance cash handling/management responsibilities, sensitive/investigative customer complaints, training new employees and providing higher than job level override authority as needed.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Regina
Regina, SK
10.2022

Skills

  • Advanced knowledge of computer software systems including Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Teams Including knowledge of IA software systems including MiCase and SWIN
  • Exceptional task-prioritization and problem solving capabilities which have been consistently demonstrated throughout my professional endeavors
  • Emotionally intelligent worker with a compassionate and empathetic mindset to allow for clients to feel comfortable divulging personal details
  • Punctual, reliable and action-orientated employee with exemplary time management skills
  • Resourceful and decisive employee able to think critically and make logical decisions
  • Detail-orientated employee capable of working on tight deadlines with accuracy and precision and in a fast paced, deadline tight environment
  • Friendly and positive demeanor able to work independently or as part of a team as needed
  • Adaptable employee capable of integrating themselves into new areas quickly
  • Confident, articulate, well presented employee with exceptional communication skills
  • Demonstrated abilities in synthesizing information and transforming it into engaging and presentable materials for distribution to staff and clients

Timeline

Income Assistance Worker

Ministry Of Social Services
10.2023 - Current

Director of Customer Service, PR and Communication

The Cranky Leprechaun
02.2018 - 12.2023

Personal Banking Advisor

Royal Bank Of Canada, RBC
09.2013 - 01.2018

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology

University of Regina
Sophie Gould