Community Worker

Job Responsibility:

TITLE: Community Worker - The 127 Society for Housing

REPORTS TO: Director of Housing Services

GENERAL FUNCTION: Coordinates all tenant services outside of

Maintenance within the 127 Society For Housing; organizes and manages tenant programs

HOURS: Monday thru Friday - Core Hours 8:00 to 4:00

Note: To adjust to cover off any planned evening events

ANNUAL SALARY LEVEL: $60,000 - Full Employer paid benefit package

including a 9.43% RRSP program - On site parking spot is provided

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

(1) Housing

a) Ensures applications for housing are taken 11 times per year.

b) Maintains an up-to-date computerized waiting list for potential new tenants

c) Interviews, screens and recommends approval of new tenants for housing, ensuring each new tenant meets the eligibility guidelines for admission, including financial, age, and residential location.

d) Arranges viewing of apartment for potential new tenants as per Executive Director

e) Completes rental agreement and subsidy documentation for all new tenants

f) Ensures monthly rents are received by the first of each month from tenants

g) Reports any delinquent rents to Executive Director to determine future action. Completes action plan to ensure rents are up to date.

h) Deposits monthly rents to Society bank account as per 127 policies

(2) Program

a) Manages Non-Profit/low cost stores, including training and supervision of tenant staff, store shopping, weekly inventory, bank deposits and cash on hand.

b) Works with tenants to co-ordinate, manage and prepare community or special occasion meals or other large group activities:-

Computer/Internet Access and Training, Morning coffee and newspaper program

Special Dinner Events: Christmas, Easter, Summer BBQ and Thanksgiving

Monthly Breakfast or lunch meal at each building, Movie/Video or Crib Nights

Monthly Bingo

c) Assists tenants with the development of identified programs of interest, recommends to Manager Tenant Services with approval by Executive Director

3) Tenant Support to Services

a) Links tenants to outside services to assist with specific personal concerns

b) Liases with hospital, health, mental health and social service agencies.

c) Coordinates with BC Housing monthly rent subsidies for tenants including Safer including annual rent review and any decreases throughout the year

d) Assists tenants with applications for SAFER, CPP etc.

e) Reports building maintenance or security problems/issues to Maintenance Manager.

f) With maintenance staff participates in monthly pest and bed bug inspections and annual tenant apartment inspections. Undertakes follow-up action and writes letters to tenants. Recommends required assessment for home support.

Works with tenants and Director of Housing Services to address and seek help on units that are not being maintained by tenants - health and safety risks to both individuals and rest of building/tenant population.

It should be noted that mental health, age and alcohol dependency play a day to day role in ability to upkeep acceptable building, health and safety standards. Home care is not available to many of our tenants.

g) Tenant Deaths:- works with coroner, Public Trustee and in rare cases next of kin on removal of all unit contents in preparation for new tenants. Co-ordinates memorial services as requested. Maintains up to date emergency contact info.

(4) Administrative

a) Completes rent review documentation for government rent subsidies

b) Attends staff meetings

c) Maintains up to date files and records.

d) Documents and follow-up of late rents.

d) Incident Reports filed by tenants - Meets with tenants on problem issues in the building and ensures correspondence and follow-up is completed. Prepares and delivers all Breach of Tenancy letters to tenants.

e) Arbitration: When evictions or hearings are scheduled under the Residential Tenancy Act - prepares and files documentation for hearings; attends and presents at Arbitration hearings.

Supreme Court: Prepares and attends Supreme Court hearings following Residential Tenancy Office Hearings when required.

Applies for enforcement of Order of Possession through Supreme Court

f) Emergency Preparedness - assists Director of Housing Services in developing and maintaining tenant emergency protocol

(5) Qualifications & Experience:

a) Bachelor degree from an accredited university or Community College in the social sciences or in a related field of study or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

b) Work experience in a residential housing setting, community mental health, health unit or community service agency setting. Knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act.

c) Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

d) Knowledge and experience with group process.

e) Working knowledge of relevant health services, community resources, housing and social services.

f) Understanding and working knowledge of intervention skills and practices.

g) Understanding of and experience with issues relating to marginalized urban core populations. Empathy and understanding to support and guide aging senior tenants.

i) Valid drivers license and access to a car is required

j) Due to senior tenant population current COVID19 and Flu vaccinations are required

k) Successful vulnerable peoples criminal check is required.

l) Access to a car - On site parking is provided

m) Current valid BC Drivers license is required

n) Successful criminal record check is required for vunerables people due to seniors population

o) Access to car required; parking provided

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $30.77-$34.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• housing or social services: 5 years (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2024-01-31