Housing Support Worker (FT Contract)

Ontario Native Women's Association; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 49,500 - 60,778; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous paid vacation time

Paid time off at Christmas

Additional paid holidays

35 hour work week

Comprehensive benefits package

Healthcare Spending Account

Lifestyle Spending Account

Pension plan

Paid sick days

Cultural/personal wellness days

Flexible scheduling

Ongoing professional development

Job summary

The Nihdawin Program at Ontario Native Womens Association (ONWA) seeks a Housing Worker to advocate for Indigenous clients and provide housing supports across Ontario. You will engage with systems like Ontario Works and ODSP, coordinate services, and promote wraparound care to prevent homelessness and support families.

The role offers a 35-hour work week and a comprehensive benefits package, with potential hybrid remote work depending on operational needs.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work or related field with sufficient years of community service experience.
• Knowledge of housing systems and victim issues related to housing and homelessness.
• Experience navigating mental health, addictions and housing systems on behalf of community members.
• Strong written, oral and facilitation skills.
• Ability to engage Indigenous families; Ojibway or Oji-Cree is an asset.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with objective planning.
• Reliable, able to follow instructions and respond to feedback to improve performance.
• Proficient with MS Office and general office equipment.
• Valid G Class Driver’s License and access to a vehicle.
• Vulnerable sector check and First Aid/CPR current.
• Willing to work a flexible hybrid/remote arrangement as required.
• Able to travel and accommodate flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for Indigenous people to secure and maintain housing.
• Coordinate supports with Ontario Works, ODSP, courts, schools, landlords and medical services.
• Provide wraparound supports to attend to needs and promote personal recovery and family stability.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner service agencies.
• Travel as required and work flexible hours.

Skills

Strong communicator

Housing systems knowledge

Advocacy experience

MS Office

Driver's license

Time management

Cultural safety (Indigenous)

Education

Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

(Please note: This is a Full-Time Contract until February 24, 2028)

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35 hour work week
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Housing Worker advocates and supports Indigenous people 16 years of age or older who are or are at imminent risk of homelessness throughout the province. Priority is given to Indigenous people who are at a greater risk of losing their children to the child welfare system and or who are at a greater risk of becoming in conflict with the law because of their homelessness.

The Nihdawin Program assists Indigenous people in these circumstances and supports their traditional roles within our culture. The Housing worker provides advocacy and support in the areas of housing, maintaining existing housing and finding affordable sustainable housing for Indigenous people, acting as advocates with Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, the court system, schools, landlords and medical services. Nihdawin recognizes the importance of providing wraparound supports and services to attend to the needs of Indigenous people as they strive for personal recovery, to maintain their families and live their best lives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, indigenous learning, women’s studies with aminimum three (3) years’ work experience in community service delivery.
• Knowledge of housing systems.
• Proven experience in and knowledge of victims’ issues surrounding housing and homelessness,poverty, and addictions.
• Proven experience navigating mental health, addiction, and housing systems on behalf of community members.
• Strong communicator - excellent written, oral, and facilitation skills.
• Experience in advocacy with demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous families and/or communities. The ability to speak Ojibway and/or Oji-Cree is an asset.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to create and maintain a confidential, welcoming, friendly, and safe environment forCommunity Members.
• Knowledge of and relationships with other service agencies, ability to network and create/maintain these relationships.
• Strong organizational/time management skills with an ability to plan ahead to define measurable objectives and outcomes and meet objectives in a timely manner.
• Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
• Valid G Class Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.
• Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid1st Aid/CPR.
• A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
• Ability/willingness to travel and to work flexible hours.

Please know, this is an existing role we are looking to fill.

The full salary range for this role is $49,500- $60,778 ONWA conducts annual performance reviews, and employees may be eligible for salary adjustments based on performance outcomes and available funding.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at [e-mail].