Housing Advocate Worker

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Golden Horseshoe

CAD 42,000 - 70,000

Job description

Hours: 35 hrs/wk.
Range: $42,691-$69,628
Location: 30 College St., Toronto
Position: Unionized
Classification: Permanent Full-time

Job Highlights:

Fully matched Pension Plan.
Health and Dental Benefits and Health Care Spending Account.
4 weeks of paid vacation time.
Generous personal and wellness time off.

Summary:
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto strives to provide a life of quality, well-being, caring, and healing for our children and families in the Toronto Native Community. We do this by creating a service model that is culture-based and respects the values of Native people, the extended family, and the right to self-determination and through the integration of holistic, culturally based prevention services that are child-centered, family-focused, and community-driven.

Under the direction of the Supervisor, Housing Advocacy/Eviction Prevention in Communities, the Housing Advocate/Eviction Prevention Worker is responsible for assisting Indigenous Community Members in meeting their temporary and permanent housing needs through individualized case management.

Primary Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Supervisor, the Housing/NCFST EPIC Program will:

Provide fair, respectful, and culturally relevant services to Indigenous Community Members, consistent with the mission, vision, and values of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto.
Conduct outreach to homeless and or at-risk Indigenous Community Members.
Collaborate with internal/external resources who work with homeless Indigenous Community Members.
Assist Indigenous Community Members in completing needed applications for affordable housing and income support programs.
Assist with landlord outreach, through initial phone contact, accompaniment for viewings, lease signings, and landlord-tenant dispute resolutions.
Inform and assist Indigenous Community Members with their knowledge of tenant rights and legal resources.
Support the maintenance of a current and accessible housing registry.
Act as a source of integrated information, referral, and short-term case management that brings Indigenous Community Members and services together to meet vital needs.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date case files according to specified timelines and provide written reports.
Provide life skills and pre-employment skills to Indigenous Community Members.
Develop and provide culturally based programs to support housing sustainability.
Flexibility to provide relief coverage to other NCFST service areas as required.

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

CYC/CYW Diploma along with at least 1 year of related experience, or alternatively, an equivalent combination of relevant education in a related field and experience working with Indigenous Community Members will be considered.
Experience working in Indigenous communities.
Produce a clear Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check.
Knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis traditions and cultures, as it pertains to the local community.
Understanding of systemic barriers faced by Indigenous Community Members and ability to advocate within systems.
Good understanding of available housing resources, and the Landlord Tenant Act.
Flexibility in working program service hours may include weekends/evenings.
Strong written and oral communications skills, and basic computer skills.
Sound organizational skills, including the keeping of organized written records.
Must be familiar with and able to contribute to a team approach.
Demonstrated understanding, and commitment to, integrating the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto Mission and values into practice, service, and relationships.
Demonstrated understanding of workplace Health and Safety practices and understanding of an employee’s responsibility under current legislation.
Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, to maintain effective communication and working, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, tact, sensitivity and build strong internal relationships.