Housing Support Worker

Employment Services Elgin; St. Thomas; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in St. Thomas, Ontario is seeking a Housing Support Worker to assist individuals with mental health concerns and ensure housing stability. The ideal candidate will develop personalized service plans, coordinate care, and maintain a supportive environment for residents. A post-secondary education and relevant experience in case management are required for this full-time position that may include weekend and on-call work.

Qualifications

• Experience working within a case management framework with individuals with serious mental illness.
• A caring approach towards tenants.
• Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals in maintaining housing stability.
• Coordinate and participate in case conferences.
• Connect residents with supportive community resources.

Skills

Building therapeutic relationships

Crisis management

Problem-solving

Interpersonal relationships

Education

Post Secondary education in related field

Job description

Reporting to the Housing Support Team Lead as the Housing Support Worker, you will work alongside tenants who have experienced mental health concerns and/or substance use to maintain housing stability.

You will support individuals in developing and working through their personal service plans striving towards health, wellness and belonging. Promoting and demonstrating the vision, mission, and values of Indwell within the workplace and community. Also, working within the context of a collaborative interdisciplinary team reflecting the principles of person-centered and evidence-based care by assisting with coordinating and delivering mental health and addiction services to tenants. This program serves individuals who have experienced long term housing instability and/or long stay hospitalizations. This position will require a high level of resilience and willingness to work in close proximity to challenging situations.

• Employment type: Full-time
• Schedule: Weekends as needed, Holidays, On call

Job Description:

• Skilled in building therapeutic relationships with tenants with a recovery-oriented, trauma-informed approach, promoting hope and trust
• Coordinate, lead and/or participate in case conferences with outside supports
• Comfort and familiarity with a harm reduction approach
• Develop, contribute to, and carry out individual resident support plans, including any relevant assessment tools
• Work individually with residents to identify and achieve goals as it relates to their individual support needs and recovery
• Connect residents with supportive community resources, including both clinical and informal supports, facilitating case coordination and case management
• Strong familiarity with local resources
• Confident in utilizing crisis management and intervention skills
• Respond to resident complaints/concerns with care, compassion, and efficiency
• Reinforcing residents’ life skills, including spiritual, social, and coping skills
• Assist with intake and orientation of new residents
• Develop and facilitate relevant group programming
• Complete required documentation in a thorough and timely manner with a focus on maintaining and protecting tenant health records

Leadership

• Consistently show initiative and engage in creative problem solving.
• Experience leading and/or guiding internal teams to accomplish shared goals.
• Ability to take the lead on internal program development and projects.
• Established relationships with community partners within the local social service sector
• Reinforce a positive workplace culture and tone through your skilled verbal and written communication.
• Keep interdisciplinary team informed of community opportunities and emerging trends related to best practices in housing stability.
• Play a coordinating role on the team around duties such as apartment checks and pest management.
• Comfort and familiarity with landlord responsibilities such as pest management, rent collection, rent deposits, and Landlord and Tenant Board processes.
• Support, Direction, and Commitment to Interdisciplinary Team
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide direct and indirect support to residents, encouraging housing stability. These supports may include: medication administration, apartment checks, oversight of pest management protocols, community events, meal delivery, and other supports as necessary
• Support unit vacancies and turnover
• Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to integrate program volunteers into housing support activities. Complete volunteer logs as required
• Assist in the orientation and support of staff, students and volunteers
• Keep apprised of new research and developments relevant to your role, through workshops, journals, websites, andliterature. Transfer knowledge back to the team and residents in the most effective manner available
• Follow applicable regulations, policies and procedures
• Work collaboratively with Facilities, supporting and reporting maintenance needs to ensure upkeep of buildings and tenant units

Health, Welfare and Safety Practices

• Use appropriate procedures and follow-up documentation when responding to emergency situations
• Ensure your own health & safety, that of tenants and co-workers by adhering to health & safety standards
• Complete required safety checks and inspections as assigned
• Attend and participate in all required training to maintain and develop new skills

Qualifications

• Experience working within a case management framework with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use, or other special needs
• A warm, sensitive, and caring approach
• Ability to maintain good interpersonal relationships and have a genuine interest in supporting people living with mental illness
• Work independently, have strong problem-solving skills, be flexible, organized, responsible, and take initiative
• A valid “G” class driver’s license with own vehicle

Education Requirements

• Post Secondary education in related field or equivalent

We thank all for your interest; however, only those applicants that are being considered will be notified.

Post Secondary Certification + Experience