Community Support Worker
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Community Support Worker to join our team. As a Community Support Worker, you will play a vital role in providing support and information to Victoria's most marginalized population.
Your primary responsibility will be to assist service users with access to food services, hygiene, and OPS programming, as well as providing information on partnering community resources and government services such as social housing applications.
Duties & Responsibilities
* Create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals entering our facility, staying observant of the environment, and providing calming interventions as required to ensure everyone's safety and adherence to policies.
* Provide first response to crisis intervention, including medical first response and overdose response.
* Communicate effectively with team members, manager, and team lead, working together to de-escalate and resolve situations, and calling for assistance when necessary.
* Plan, prepare, and conduct basic individual counselling using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, and basic psycho-educational group methods to address identified problems, needs, and risks.
* Report all incidents, observations, and unsafe conditions through proper procedures.
* Assist in the provision of outreach services.
* Develop and implement short-term, issue-specific intervention plans within program guidelines in consultation with the supervisor, such as housing referrals, income assistance forms, etc.
* Monitor services provided by volunteers to service users for consistency with vision and mission.
* Follow all health and safety policies and procedures.
* Suggest referrals to other agencies better suited to serve specific needs.
* Act as an advocate on behalf of family members, working for rightful justice and fair treatment, taking appropriate action against oppressive systems and people.
* Maintain a clean and tidy facility at all times.
* Provide one-on-one support to clients connecting them to various resources, including detox referrals, counseling services, and other housing providers.
* Maintain knowledge of laws and legislation affecting the inner-city community, including mental health, physical health, Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance, City bylaws, and Human Rights.
* Participate in ongoing education, including workshops and seminars on Alcohol and Drug Addictions, First Aid, NVCI, Mental Illnesses, AIDS, Harm reduction, treatment supports, and other socially contracted diseases.
* Maintain open lines of communication between various areas of OPS.
* Liaise with partner agencies and other professionals dealing with homelessness, participating in cross-agency working groups as required.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess:
* A Diploma in a related human or social services field.
* Current First Aid certification.
* One (1) year recent related experience.
* OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Working Conditions/Compensation
This is a full-time position, working Tuesday to Saturday from 7am to 3pm.
Compensation: $31.56 to $33.49 per hour.
Benefits include vacation accrual, comprehensive benefits plan, and union membership.