Community Developer

Ottawa Salus Corporation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive earnings

Compressed workweek

Inclusion, diversity, equity, access,–

Friendly team environment

Job summary

The Ottawa Salus Corporation is seeking a Community Developer to provide onsite support and group programming for tenants who live with severe and persistent mental illness. The goal is to help tenants maintain successful tenancies through recovery-based activities and individualized support.

You will collaborate with Salus’ Housing department, external partners, and a multidisciplinary team to design, deliver and evaluate programs; advocate for clients’ needs; and foster partnerships within

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services or related field.
• Experience or interest with adults with serious mental illness.
• Experience in community development and group facilitation.
• Experience supporting individuals with substance use, homelessness or complex needs.
• Familiarity with Ottawa social services and housing providers.
• Knowledge of recovery, harm reduction, and trauma-informed approaches.

Responsibilities

• Recovery-based group facilitation and design.
• Mediation and conflict resolution.
• Provision of individualized support to tenants.
• Foster existing and new community partnerships.
• Active participation in intervention plans and tenants’ circles of care.
• Collaborate with Salus Housing department to support tenancies.
• Advocate for clients’ individual needs and required services.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship building

Crisis de-escalation

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Independent program facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Community Development, or related field

Job description

Full-Time Unionized position (35 Hours/ Week, 12pm-8pm Tuesday to Saturday).

Language:

English required. Bilingualism (French and English preferred)

Reports to:

Program Manager

Vacancy:

Existing Vacancy

Every day, our staff make a difference in our client’s lives. Our team is passionate about our mission and supporting clients on their journey to recovery and independent living. We are committed to fostering a culture that aims to positively impact, support, and develop our staff to create an exceptional employee experience! Join our team as a Community Developer.

The Opportunity

The Community Developer is responsible for providing onsite support and group programming for Salus tenants who live with severe and persistent mental illness. The goal of onsite Community Development support is to assist tenants in maintaining successful tenancies. Community Developers work in collaboration with Salus’ Housing Coordinator, external mental health support workers, and a variety of community partners. The Community Developer works as part of a team providing support and programming to Salus-owned buildings as well as some buildings belonging to Ottawa Community Housing and the Multifaith Housing Initiative. Community Developers’ assignment to buildings may be changed to meet operational requirements. This role includes regular onsite engagement and programming that reflects clients needs, interests, and readiness to participate.

What You’ll Do

• Recovery-based group facilitation and design.
• Mediation and conflict resolution.
• Provision of individualized support to tenants.
• Foster existing and new community partnerships.
• Active participation in intervention plans and tenants’ circles of care.
• Collaboration with Salus’ Housing department to support tenancies.
• Advocate for clients’ individual needs and required services.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Community Development, or related field.
• Experience or Interest in working with marginalized adults who are living with severe and persistent mental illness, or working with individuals who suffer from concurrent disorders.
• Experience or Interest in community development and in-group facilitation.
• Experience supporting individuals with substance use, homelessness, housing instability or other complex needs.
• Familiarity with social service and support networks within Ottawa.
• Familiarity with housing providers and their policies.
• Knowledge of recovery principles / harm reduction principles.
• Knowledge of trauma informed and person-centered approaches.

Your Skills and Strengths

• Strong communication skills and the ability to establish a good working relationship with both clients and colleagues.
• Establishes a good working relationship with partner agencies that provide the continuum of mental health and housing supports to our clients.
• Effectively de-escalates and resolves crisis.
• Works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Works independently to plan and facilitate programming.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act.
• Demonstrates sound judgement, professional boundaries and a practical approach to engagement.

Who You Are

• Relates and empathizes with vulnerable and marginalized clients.
• Holds work ethics, which reinforce clients’ autonomy and growth.
• Promotes the values of Salus.

Why Work at Ottawa Salus?

Salus has a proven record of successfully supporting clients with serious and persistent mental health and substance use health issues to live their best possible life. Regardless of their role in the organization, our staff are passionate about their work and supporting clients on their journey to recovery. If you are someone that wants to make the world a better place and bring hope to others, you will love working here.

We offer all these benefits and many more including:

• Competitive earnings
• Compressed workweek
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and anti-racism
• A friendly team who creates a great work environment

About Salus

Salus offers a range of supportive housing options for adults with serious mental illness and concurrent challenges including addictions, homelessness and cycles of hospitalization. We have been an unwavering champion for people with mental illness for more than 45 years, providing the first step in the recovery process-a stable home environment.

Salus client, Jon gratefully acknowledges that without Salus, he would not have a stable home. Now, his home provides him stability and the freedom to relax, and also pursue his ambitions, as he says,

“Home is where you can just sit back and relax and move forward. It’s the place you always have to come back to.”