Housing Support Worker, Casual

Boyle Street Community Services; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking compassionate Support Workers to join their dynamic team. This role involves providing essential support to residents in a community-focused environment, fostering relationships, and facilitating activities that promote healing and skill development. You will work closely with clients, advocating for their needs and connecting them with vital resources. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. Join a values-driven organization that prioritizes community engagement and inclusivity.

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Mental resiliency and problem-solving skills are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Foster a sense of community within the building.
• Support residents and coordinate referrals to services.
• Perform daily building checks and wellness checks.

Skills

Support Work Experience

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Organizational Skills

Crisis Response

Education

Post-secondary degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Reports to

Supportive Housing Program Manager, Housing Choice / Program Manager

Hours

Casual/Relief - Hours will vary

Wage

$20.94 - 24.63/hr

Location

Sandys Place, Morningstar, and Sakihta Kikinaw

Job Purpose

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Support Worker collaborates with other team members at the housing site. Our housing sites aim to provide a safe and healthy living space using harm reduction, relationship building, and community development philosophies to support clients in life development skills. The Support Worker will work under the direction of the Team Lead and Program Manager to provide a compassionate approach and active support in skill development and community engagement.

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force”

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our clients.

Key Areas Of Responsibilities

1. Foster a sense of neighborliness and build a sense of community within the building.
2. Provide supports to tenants as needed and liaise with external support workers as required.
3. Develop schedules & activities, in conjunction with other staff, to provide or facilitate programming to bring people together and build stronger relationships.
4. Provide support to residents as needed and liaise with support workers as required.
5. Distribute tenant notices if required.
6. Support in facilitating cultural activities and ceremonies.
7. Review all logs, staff to staff communication, and shift expectations.
8. Support in processing referrals, intakes, partnership meetings, case conferencing, goal setting, transition plans, etc.
9. Perform daily building checks and communicate interior and exterior repairs and maintenance to the Site Manager as required (both preventative and emergency maintenance).
10. Be prepared to respond to overdoses and other related crisis by following the proper processes and protocol.
11. Assess residents’ barriers and needs to assist, support, and advocate for them.
12. Coordinate referrals to other support services, including mental health supports, addiction treatment, family doctors, income supports, budgeting, and financial literacy.
13. Perform resident wellness checks and harm reduction education, supplies, and support.
14. Maintain a healthy environment by performing housekeeping duties as required.
15. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Team Lead, which may include supervising students, organizing program events outside of regularly scheduled work hours, co-facilitating program meetings and/or resident meetings, etc.
16. BSCS encourages participation in community events such as fundraising, community meals, and medicine pickups, during work hours and occasionally during weekends and evenings.

Education, Experience & Skills

• Post-secondary degree in a relevant field is an asset and/or relevant work experience.
• Six months experience in a support worker or caseworker role.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations.
• Extensive knowledge of poverty-related issues, trends, and services, especially within the urban Indigenous community.
• Good working knowledge of Alberta Supports and other local resources.
• Mental resiliency and problem-solving skills are beneficial in stressful environments with challenges and risks.
• Strong organizational skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including de-escalation techniques.

Training & Screening Requirements

• Valid First Aid certificate.
• Up-to-date Police Information Check (every 3 years).
• Up-to-date Child and Youth Intervention record (every 3 years).

Work Environment

Boyle Street Community Services values diversity and encourages applications from First Nations, Inuit, Métis, newcomers, racialized, differently-abled, and LGBTTQIA2S communities. Indigenous culture is integral to our daily activities, and candidates should be willing to participate in related activities.

The position is based at the Stovel Block housing complex and occasionally at the Boyle Street Community Service Centre. It involves exposure to open drug use, verbal abuse, harassment, emotional distress, loud environments, and potential transmission of communicable diseases.

Employer Conditions

We prioritize respectful communication, including the use of preferred pronouns. All employees must provide current Police and Child & Youth Intervention Checks every three years. In line with Boyle Street's COVID-19 policy, all new hires must be fully vaccinated, including a third booster dose, with proof provided before starting.