Housing Support Worker - Victoria

Reports to: Manager of Supportive Housing

Compensation: $24.16-$26.27 per hour

Union: BCGEU

Closing Date: July 7, 2023 at 4pm

Available opportunities:

Greater Victoria - Permanent full-time employment

Waterview:

• 4:00pm-12:30am, Wednesday to Saturday and every other Tuesday (72 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-405)
• 4:00pm-12:30am, Sunday to Wednesday and every other Thursday (72 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-403)

Medewinwin:

• 8:30am-5:00pm, Tuesday to Friday and Every other Saturday (72 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-407)

Camas Gardens:

• 11:00pm to 7:30am, Thursday to Sunday and every other Wednesday (72 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-409)
• 1:00pm - 9:30pm, Sunday, Monday and every other Tuesday; and 3:00pm to 11:30pm Friday and Saturday (Posting #23-408)
• 9:00pm – 5:30am, Saturday to Tuesday and Every other Friday (72 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-410)
• 9:00pm to 5:30am, Monday to Thursday and every other Friday (72 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-411)

Other Available Opportunities

The Aurora (Central Saanich):

• 6:00pm - 5:00am, Sunday to Tuesday and every second Wednesday, (70 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-401)
• 9:00pm - 8:00am, Thursday to Saturday and every second Wednesday, (70 hours bi-weekly) (Posting #23-402)

Casual Employment also available at any of our Supportive Housing sites

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:

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

Key Responsibilities:

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

Requirements

Education:

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

Experience:

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to manage and balance role responsibilities and interpersonal dynamics in a fast paced, high pressure environment
• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model
• 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:

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

Benefits

• 9.8% of straight-time pay in lieu of scheduled vacations and paid holidays paid every pay cheque for casual and temporary employees.
• Dog friendly offices.
• Career development and internal advancement opportunities.
• 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.
• Organization and individual training opportunities.
• Competitive salary from a Certified Living Wage Employer.
• Competitive employer RRSP contributions for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week.
• 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.
• Minimum six (6) percent vacation accrual rate for all permanent staff
• Employee assistance program.

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.