Job Opportunity:
We are seeking a dedicated individual to fill the role of Housing/Shelter Support Worker. This position involves providing direct support to residents and shelter users, including counseling, life skills building, and advocacy.
The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues to identify clients' problems, needs, and risks, and plan and conduct individual counselling sessions using basic one-on-one counselling techniques. They will also provide specific basic life skills building in problem areas and maintain a safe and welcoming environment for a marginalized population.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Assist with resident support plan development and delivery of services
2. Develop rapport and trusting yet professional relationships with residents
3. Perform wellness checks
4. Participate in shelter setup and clean up before end of shift
5. Distribute harm reduction supplies, personal hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, meals, etc. to residents
6. Assist residents with activities such as room cleans; clean out vacant rooms
7. Assist with applications and referrals (e.g. Income Assistance, other housing permanent housing supports and support team referrals)
8. Develop and implement short-term intervention plans within program guidelines
9. Evaluate intervention plan effectiveness, report on clients' progress, and discuss related concerns with supervisor
10. Gather information relevant to client problems, needs, and risks through interviewing, observing behavior, meeting with service providers, and using inventories, checklists, and questionnaires
11. Plan, prepare, and conduct basic individual counselling sessions using active listening, conflict resolution, and psycho-educational group methods
12. Maintain active files for each assigned resident, including electronic log notes for all pertinent interactions and observations
13. Outline services provided by program and provide information on referrals to community service providers, resources, and professionals as required
14. Use influential techniques guided by social work standards and methods to resistant clients
15. Assist with laundry tasks as needed and maintain on-site laundry rooms
16. Support residents with developing independent life skills such as household management, medication management, socialization, money management, decision-making, time management, etc.
17. Maintain working knowledge and understanding of laws and legislation affecting residents (e.g. Mental Health Act, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Human Rights)
18. Utilize de-escalation skills to mitigate challenging situations and maintain safe environment
19. Maintain professional boundaries while displaying empathy and compassion
20. Respond to medical emergencies including overdoses, administer naloxone, and perform CPR
21. Liaise with partner agencies and professionals/support teams, participate in cross-agency working groups as required
22. Accompany residents to meetings and appointments as required
23. Complete Incident Reports according to procedure
24. Address program agreement violations and follow up as necessary in collaboration with team and Team Lead/Site Supervisor
25. Collaborate with team on engaging residents, utilizing Team Approach as needed, recognize and utilize each team member's strengths to provide best support for residents
26. Ensure all room inspections and follow-ups are completed according to schedule
27. Oversee resident volunteer work and disperse honorariums according to program guidelines
28. Accompany facilities staff and contractors while performing maintenance work in resident rooms
29. Ensure staff office(s) is/are clean and tidy as well as all other common and shared spaces
30. Participate in cross-agency working groups as required
31. Work alongside volunteers by assisting in orientation, support, and assignment of duties to fulfill their roles serving residents
32. Clean rooms as needed when residents move out, wearing appropriate PPE, dealing with human wastes, blood, sharps, and other paraphernalia
33. Plunge toilets and deal with leaks, wearing appropriate PPE, dealing with human wastes, blood, sharps, and other paraphernalia
34. Report all maintenance needs and requests in a timely manner according to procedure
35. Assist in custodial and maintenance tasks as directed by Team Lead/Site Supervisor
36. Assist with collecting statistical information for reporting requirements
37. Awareness of critical incident report procedures and follow all health and safety policies and procedures, work with OPS Occupational Health and Safety team to ensure staff work in safe manner, report all staff injuries to Site Supervisor
38. Uphold all OPS policies and procedures
39. Refer media requests to Director of Communication
40. Understand and follow Good Neighbor Agreement established for your site (if applicable)
41. Understand and follow VicPD/OPS Cooperation agreement and liaise with Community Resource Officers as needed