Casual Housing Support Worker - Victoria

Title: Casual Housing Support Worker

Reports to: Manager of Supportive Housing

Compensation: $27.31-$29.66/hour + 10.2% of benefits in lieu of stats and paid vacations. $2/hr night premium where applicable

Union: BCGEU

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;
• Following prescribed policies and procedures associated with Property Management;
• Supporting tenants through a PSR approach;
• Advocating on behalf of tenants with community agencies;
• Attending to overdoses and administering naloxone.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provides individualized, person-centered support to tenants, including:

• preparing, documenting, implementing, monitoring and evaluating personalized support plans with each tenant;
• assisting with case management by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties;
• providing input to counsellors and other professionals with regard to the development of appropriate program plans;
• monitoring client mental health and substance use and determining when to provide additional support;
• recognizing, analyzing and responding to potential emergency situations;

• encouraging and facilitating tenant participation in decision-making regarding housing and support policies and practices;
• providing life skills training such as meal preparation, housekeeping, personal care and personal self-management skills;
• assisting tenants in navigation of Ministry services;
• assisting tenants with financial management including coordinating with the Public Trustee, budgeting and ensuring rent and damage deposits are made;
• contributing to the evaluation of tenants’ progress and preparing related reports;
• supervising and supporting tenant participation in the community volunteer program;
• liaising and actively planning with community resources including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, mental health and health care practitioners, police and emergency services;
• coordinating referrals to essential services and programs for tenants;
• 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);
• providing support to tenants experiencing health issues including end of life support;
• advocating for tenants who are experiencing oppression, stigmatization and/or discrimination within the community;
• providing transition support for tenants moving in or out of supportive housing.

2. Performs a variety of property management related functions, including:

• coordinating maintenance related requests with the Property Management team;
• 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.

3. Performs administrative responsibilities, including:

• maintaining reports such as statistics, logbooks, tenant daily activity records;
• preparing Incident Reports for staff follow-up and for the Health and Safety Committee;
• assisting the Manager with the development of protocols, policies, procedures and/or proposals;
• assisting in fundraising, public relations campaigns, workshops and special events.

4. Other related duties, including:

• maintaining regular contact with, and providing back-up for team members and other staff as required;
• participating in community meetings including coordinating individual case conferences.

Requirements

Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

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:

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

Additional Criteria for Role

• First Aid Certification is required.
• Food Safe Certification or equivalent is required
• Naloxone administration training is required.

As Pacifica Housing works with vulnerable populations, We require all staff to successfully clear a Vulnerable Sectors Criminal Record Check run by the Ministry of Justice. Any offer of employment is contingent on the applicant providing proof of criminal record check prior to commencing employment.

Please note: While this position is posted externally concurrently, members within the collective bargaining unit will receive first consideration in the appointment.

Benefits

• A mission driven and meaningful working environment.

• Competitive salary from a Certified Living Wage Employer.
• Career development and internal advancement opportunities.
• Minimum six (6) percent vacation accrual rate, excellent benefits package and union pension plan for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week (includes extended health and dental, life insurance, and more).
• Wellness time for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week. Or up to 5 paid wellness days a year for casual and temporary employees after 3 months of continued employment.
• Employee assistance program available to all staff.
• Organization and individual training opportunities.
• Dog friendly offices.

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.