Housing Support Worker - Nanaimo

Reports to: Managers of Supportive Housing

Compensation: $23.93-$26.01 per hour

Union: BCGEU

Closing Date: July 7, 2023 at 4pm

Available positions:

Full time lines Available

• 6:30pm to 5:30am, Wednesday to Friday and every other Saturday (70 hours bi-weekly) (Posting: # 23-412)

Organizational Focus:

Pacifica Housing has been providing safe and affordable homes for almost 35 years. We are a rapidly growing organization dedicated to meeting the housing and support needs of our community. As such, we are committed to building our fast-growing team with a culture that supports our people and reinforces our core values of authenticity, leadership, respect, and social justice.

Pacifica is proud to be a Certified Living Wage Employer by The Living Wage for Families Campaign.

Position’s Primary Objectives:

Housing Support Workers function as part of a team to provide comprehensive on-going support services to the tenants in Pacifica’s Supportive Housing programs. Housing Support Workers are accountable for delivering programs and services to tenants to support their success as residents of Pacifica Housing, including:

• Advocating on behalf of tenants with community agencies;
• Following prescribed policies and procedures associated with Property Management;
• Supporting tenants through a PSR approach;
• Attending to overdoses and administering naloxone.
• Delivering person-centered support services and programs following a “housing first” philosophy to tenants as part of a dedicated team;

Key Responsibilities:

• Liaising and actively planning with community resources including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, mental health and health care practitioners, police and emergency services;
• Assisting tenants with financial management including co-ordinating with the Public Trustee, budgeting and ensuring rent and damage deposits are made;
• Advocating for tenants who are experiencing oppression, stigmatization and/or discrimination within the community;
• Provides individualized, person-centred support to tenants, including:
• Providing transition support for tenants moving in or out of supportive housing.
• Performs a variety of property management related functions, including:
• Providing life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care and personal self-management skills;
• Assisting with case management by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties;
• Other related duties, including:
• Maintaining regular contact with, and providing back-up for team members and other staff as required;
• Providing support to tenants experiencing health issues including end of life support;
• Monitoring client mental health and substance use and determining when to provide additional support;
• Preparing, documenting, implementing, monitoring and evaluating personalized support plans with each tenant;
• Coordinating referrals to essential services and programs for tenants;
• Assisting tenants in navigation of Ministry services;
• Providing support for a wide variety of on-site and off-site programming including life skills and recreational activities; attends appointments with tenants such as medical, psychiatric, counseling etc. (building specific);
• Assisting in fundraising, public relations campaigns, workshops and special events.
• Supervising and supporting tenant participation in the community volunteer program;
• Coordinating maintenance related requests with the Property Management team;
• Performs administrative responsibilities, including:
• Preparing Incident Reports for staff follow-up and for the Health and Safety Committee;
• Participating in community meetings including coordinating individual case conferences.
• Assisting the Manager with the development of protocols, policies, procedures and/or proposals;
• Providing input to counsellors and other professionals with regard to the development of appropriate program plans;
• Maintaining reports such as statistics, logbooks, tenant daily activity records;
• Recognizing, analyzing and responding to potential emergency situations;
• Encouraging and facilitating tenant participation in decision-making regarding housing and support policies and practices;
• Providing direct assistance to tenants preparing for pest control (i.e bed bugs) or maintenance/repair activities;
• Assisting with minor repairs and maintenance (such as light bulb changes), as required.
• Contributing to the evaluation of tenants’ progress and preparing related reports;

Requirements

Education:

• Conflict resolution/crisis prevention training and experience is an asset
• Training and/or education in a related human/social service field is an asset

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working with populations impacted by substance use and mental health challenges, homelessness, and/or other barriers to stable housing
• Recent and related experience preferably in the non-profit housing sector or in a related social service field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model
• Demonstrated ability to manage and balance role responsibilities and interpersonal dynamics in a fast paced, high pressure environment
• Proficient in MS Office programs including Word, Outlook and Excel
• Working knowledge of harm reduction and Housing First theory and practice

Additional Criteria for Role:

• First Aid Certification is required.
• Naloxone administration training is required.
• Completion of a Criminal Record Check is required before employment commences.

Benefits

• Social committee that includes robust team building and staff social events.
• Wellness time for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week. Or up to 5 paid wellness days a year for casual and temporary employees.
• Employee assistance program.
• Organization and individual training opportunities.
• Competitive employer RRSP contributions for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week.
• Minimum six (6) percent vacation accrual rate for staff working 20+ hours per week.
• Competitive salary from a Certified Living Wage Employer.
• Dog friendly offices.
• Career development and internal advancement opportunities.
• 9.8% of straight-time pay in lieu of scheduled vacations and paid holidays paid every pay cheque for casual and temporary employees.
• Excellent benefits package for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week (includes extended health and dental, life insurance, and more).
• A mission driven and meaningful working environment.

Pacifica Housing advises all employees, contractors and volunteers of the risk of violence, injury and harm that is present in the execution of their duties. Pacifica Housing is committed to providing a safe and risk-free work place, however, we acknowledge the inherent risk in social housing and direct support work while in homes and in other support relationships.

Pacifica celebrates diversity and what makes you uniquely you. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, and diversability.