Housing Support Worker

The Salvation Army in Canada; Halifax; On-site; CAD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope is seeking a Housing Support Worker to help men achieve long-term housing within the community. You will work with clients to create plans, provide intake, assessment, referrals and access to resources.

Responsibilities include liaising with landlords, developing housing options, providing crisis intervention, maintaining records, and supporting up to 75 clients while upholding the Centre of Hope’s mission and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Registration or candidacy with a related professional body, if applicable.
• Experience with case management and advocacy for at-risk populations.
• Strong communication, organization and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist up to 75 clients in housing placement programs with intake, assessment and referrals.
• Develop viable housing options and liaise with landlords and property managers.
• Provide crisis intervention and eviction-prevention support.
• Maintain confidential records and compile statistics for program evaluation.
• Collaborate with Housing Support Workers and participate in community activities.
• Support program development and contribute to staff training as needed.

Skills

Client-centered approach

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Team player

Networking

Organizational skills

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Education

Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent education/experience

Registration/Professional body eligibility (if applicable)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Internet

Job description

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

• To work primarily with clients from The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope, Men’s Emergency Shelter and Transitional Apartments and help them achieve long term housing within the community.
• To work with the clients to create effective plans that address their ongoing issues of homelessness and strive to overcome them.
• To work as a member of the team at Halifax Centre of Hope, supporting the total ministry that occurs there.
• To provide support for a caseload of up to 75 within housing placement program.

POSITION OBJECTIVES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure support program delivery congruent with the Centre of Hope’s (COH) Mission, Vision and Values.
• Work in accordance with COH policies, procedures and philosophy of practice.
• Liaise and develop relationships with landlords and property managers within HRM.
• Develop a list of viable housing stock and options for men transitioning to independence within this housing program.
• Provide for men: intake, assessment and referral services, assistance in accessing resources, crisis intervention and eviction prevention services, outreach and mediation in relation to the Housing Support program.
• Liaise with other agencies on behalf of men and programs and participate in community committees, projects or activities as appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with other Housing Support Workers within HRM. (Example: Metro Turning.)
• Advocate with community agencies to ensure that the needs, barriers and strengths of males who are at-risk and homeless are addressed.
• Conduct public education presentations about the issues of homeless males.
• Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics and files, and ensure confidentiality is protected.
• Compile statistics and data for accessing housing supports that will assist with the outcomes and evaluation of this housing initiative.
• Commit to the development of COH projects and activities and participate in internal committees.
• Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client-centered programs and services are delivered.
• Provide a supportive environment and foster a therapeutic milieu that promotes empowerment.
• Supervise field placement students as required.
• Perform other duties a required;

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrated skill applicable to a client-directed approach and a social justice perspective.
• Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Trusteeship programs and effective money management.
• Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build appropriate and healthy rapport with at-risk and homeless persons.
• Extensive knowledge of community resources and the social service delivery system.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
• Demonstrated a high level of understanding of the issues of homelessness.

Organization Responsibilities

• Ability to work within the mandate of The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement.
• To expect to help with occasional “special occasions” after hours: i.e. Feast of Christmas, resident’s Christmas Party, to be supportive to Chapel programs.

Role Competencies

• Communication
• Leadership
• Independent
• Networking
• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills
• Counselling

Working Conditions

The incumbent’s work environment is typically at work sites within various residential or community settings. The incumbent will work under the following disagreeable conditions: dealing with angry and abusive people, verbal abuse, odours, and exposure to drugs and alcohol.

Conditions Of Employment

• Ability and willingness to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion.
• Schedule may vary according to requirements of responsibilities – some weekend and evening work may be required.
• This is a Full-time position based on 40 hours per week.
• Primary hours of work – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday with flexibility expected. (NOTE: Each eight-hour shift includes: 2 fifteen minutes paid coffee breaks and a thirty-minute unpaid lunch break.)
• Normal location of work is at The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope, 2044 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS.

Education / Experience

• Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma or other relevant undergraduate degree or a combination of education and experience.
• Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).
• A minimum of one to three years of experience working with at-risk and homeless persons providing case management and advocacy.
• Non-violent crisis intervention (NVCI), Suicide Intervention (ASSIST), Standard First Aid and COH medication training and/or a commitment to secure those requirements within six months of being hired.
• Experience in program development.
• Experience working for a Walk-in Centre of a non-profit organization is an asset.
• Independent and a team player

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $21.04 to $26.30 with a maximum of $31.57.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [e-mail] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.