Housing Specialist

Addiction and Mental Health Services Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington; Kingston; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended healthcare

Dental benefits

Life insurance

HOOPP

Paid time off

Job summary

AMHS-KFLA seeks a Housing Specialist to join a multidisciplinary team serving adults with serious mental illness across Kingston and surrounding areas. You will screen referrals, manage waitlists, conduct assessments, and coordinate after-care to help clients secure and maintain permanent housing.

The role requires collaboration with landlords, service partners and community housing providers, with flexible hours including occasional weekends.

Qualifications

• University degree in a health-related discipline.
• Three years’ relevant experience providing services to individuals with serious mental illness, preferably in a community setting.
• Knowledge of local housing resources, community services, and supportive & transitional housing models.
• Strong understanding of challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues in securing and maintaining housing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with clients, landlords, and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Screen referrals, waitlist management, and assessments.
• Provide after-care services to support clients toward permanent housing.
• Collaborate with community service agencies, landlords and stakeholders to facilitate access to housing resources.
• Share housing expertise to support treatment plans.
• Support community integration with transportation and appointments outside the work location.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Independent work

Time management

Driver's license

Education

University degree in a health-related discipline

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Hours of Work: 37.50 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Reports to: Clinical Program Manager, Community Housing

Location: Kingston, ON

Hourly Rate: $ 33.55 - $ 39.25

Job Status: Permanent Full-time

Union/Non-Union: OPSEU/SEFPO Local 489

Vacancies: One (1). This posting is for an existing vacancy within our organization

We are seeking Housing Specialist who are enthusiastic and passionate about opportunities to work with individuals in the community. Our Housing Specialist are key members of many frontline teams, including Community Housing. This role contributes to the support of our clients in providing invaluable services to individuals with addiction and/or mental health concerns within the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFLA) communities.

In addition to the fulfilling sense of giving back to the community, AMHS-KFLA also offers a competitive benefit package to permanent full-time staff which includes the following:

• Extended Healthcare and Dental Benefits
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance, with optional added levels of coverage
• Dependent Life (dependents/spouse covered at no additional cost)
• Enrolment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Paid time off entitlements (sick time, vacation, wellness leave, family/personal leave)

Our Housing Specialist positions are members of Ontario Public Sectors Employee’s Union (OPSEU/SEFPO) Local 489 and work from various locations throughout KFLA. With some ability to flex hours as needed, the hours of work are generally Monday to Friday, however do vary depending on assigned team which can require occasional weekends.

Job Summary:

The Housing Specialist works as a member of an inter-professional team carrying out rehabilitation and support functions in a community living environment with adults living with a serious mental illness, 16 years of age and older.

The incumbent is responsible for screening referrals, waitlist management, assessments, and after-care services to support clients through their journey towards permanent housing. This position works in close partnership with community service agencies, landlords and other stake holders to facilitate access to housing resources and services. The incumbent also shares housing expertise to support the team in carrying out treatment plans.

The incumbent works within a community housing environment, where services are offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will be expected to support community integration with transportation and appointments outside the work location. All services are provided in accordance with the mission, vision, values and established protocols of the Agency.

Minimum Qualifications:

• University Degree in a health-related discipline.
• Three years’ relevant experience providing services to individuals who live with a serious mental illness, preferably in a community setting and supporting those individuals to secure and maintain housing.
• Strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues in securing and maintaining housing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with clients, landlords, and community partners.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Knowledge of local housing resources, community services, and supportive & transitional housing models.
• Knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act.
• Familiar with the processes of landlord Tenant Board.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR an asset.
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) an asset.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) an asset.
• Experience working within a community based mental health model, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and ability to apply discipline specific principles and practices to individuals who live with a serious mental illness, within a client-centred approach.
• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of mental health symptoms, issues, psychotropic medications and associated side effects.
• Knowledge of issues related to addictions an asset.
• Knowledge of and the ability to incorporate best practices in community support for individuals living with a serious mental illness.
• Demonstrated assessment and crisis intervention skills with broad knowledge of emergency mental health and crisis stabilization.
• Demonstrated advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills.
• Ability to effectively utilize community resources and support to meet the needs of individuals.
• Ability to work under pressure within a changing environment.
• Working knowledge of the Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act, Personal Health Information Protection Act, and other relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to effectively engage community services and individuals, increasing awareness of services.
• Well-developed problem-solving, prioritization and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment
• Basic proficiency in computer skills; MS Office preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends.
• Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License and have regular access to a reliable vehicle and provide proof of adequate vehicle insurance.
• Required to provide a satisfactory criminal reference check (CRC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening prior to hire.
• French Language proficiency considered an asset.

AMHS-KFLA strives to be a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applications from all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community and enhance our ability to provide quality services to our clients.

We are committed to accessible employment practices. If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the recruitment and selection process, please inform Human Resources to discuss your individual accessibility needs.

AI Disclosure: We do not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position