Street Outreach Worker- FT

The Salvation Army; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known charitable organization in Ottawa is seeking a Street Outreach Worker to connect with homeless individuals and provide essential support services. You will engage the street-entrenched population, ensuring their basic needs are met and assisting them toward housing. Relevant social services education and experience in outreach are essential for this role, along with strong interpersonal skills. The position offers a pay rate of $25.07 per hour and requires working on a rotating schedule from Saturday to Wednesday.

Qualifications

• Two years of direct client service with the homeless, ideally in an outreach setting.
• Experience or training in addiction and mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Connect and engage with homeless individuals.
• Provide mobile on-site assessments and referrals.
• Conduct wellness checks and provide emergency transports.
• Interact with homeless individuals congregating in large groups.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to de-escalate situations

Bilingual (English and French)

Strong decision-making skills

Education

Relevant post-secondary education in social services

Job description

Who We Are

The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda for more than 130 years. We help more than 2 million people each year, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter, and support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life, with 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

Position Purpose summary

Street outreach workers participate as members of various 2-person teams working with the street-entrenched population to ensure their basic needs are met while encouraging and assisting them in moving towards the initial steps of securing housing. There are 3 specialty teams within the position: emergency response, interim case management and encampment engagement.

General Accountabilities

• Share driving responsibility and safe operation of Street Outreach Van during 8 hr shift
• Connect and engage with homeless individuals where they are physically, emotionally and spiritually
• Provide mobile on-site assessments including provision of outreach supplies, referrals and transportation to safe shelter
• Gather pertinent information and complete necessary forms such as consents, referrals, VI-SPDAT assessments and registry applications on behalf of homeless individuals
• Provide intervention services in the event of crisis and contact appropriate authorities when necessary
• Refer clients to other outreach and services as appropriate
• Log and case-note all contacts and notation of service provided in multiple document formats
• Accept referrals on behalf of the Housing Response team by completing VI-SPDAT and place clients on a prioritization list for service based on acuity
• Provide Interim case management of those on the prioritization list that score moderate and high acuity until matched with a Housing Based Case Manager
• Assist those who are scoring in the low acuity range to self-resolve their homelessness through linking to resources and life skills building
• Ensure weekly follow-up is provided to all clients known to be sleeping outdoors
• Collaborate with community partners to provide services to locate clients and connect clients with appropriate services
• Manage a group schedule on Outlook to ensure all clients receive proper follow up
• Participate in case conferences to update management on the progress of each street-living individual
• Complete full vehicle checks/inspections at beginning of each shift and maintain all pertinent vehicle paperwork
• Ensure that the outreach vehicle is stocked with basic needs and supplies prior to conducting outreach activities and return the vehicle at the end of each shift with a full tank of gas
• In certain circumstances collaborate with team members on creation and adherence to safety plans

Emergency Response

• Conduct wellness checks and provide emergency transports for those in need
• Assist Ottawa Police and EMS with diversion calls
• Respond to calls from concerned citizens referred through 311
• Intake new clients onto the prioritization list for housing services
• Disburse emergency supplies to homeless individuals
• When no calls are in queue, assist the other two teams with workload
• When too many calls are in queue, dispatch/triage calls appropriately out to other teams if available

Interim Case Management

• Provide interim case management for homeless clients pending being matched to a Housing Based Case Manager
• Assist clients with initial steps required for Housing Based Case Management matching, including:
• Confirming people meet the mandate by checking sleep spots and encampments and working with security teams and the business sector when needed to confirm people are frequently living in environments unfit for human habitation
• Completing VI Consent and VI SPDAT assessment tool
• Applying for and securing proof of Canadian Citizenship
• Applying for and securing proof of ongoing income
• Completing and submitting Registry applications, including those with homeless status priority applications
• Ensuring repayment agreements are reached between previous non-profit landlords and clients for any arrears incurred
• Maintain positive community partner collaboration (e.g., Community Health Centres, Indigenous sector services, shelters, drop-ins, OW, ODSP, etc.)

Encampment Engagement

• Visit known encampments regularly to assist clients with accessing housing services
• Assist stakeholders with addressing community concerns regarding encampments and large groups
• Interact with homeless individuals congregating in large groups to identify resources and connections to housing services
• Complete risk assessments prior to each engagement
• May be required to work outdoors in inclement weather, walk long distances, and traverse difficult environments

Physical/Cognitive Demands

• Lift up to 50 pounds with assistance
• Support and assist clients in safely entering and exiting the outreach van
• Sit and/or drive a vehicle for long periods
• Physically maneuver vehicle through unfamiliar and challenging outdoor terrains
• Able to perform in an environment with multiple distractions, including driving-related distractions
• Able to make quick, appropriate collaborative decisions under competing priorities

Working Conditions

• May deal with potentially angry and aggressive clients
• May encounter verbal abuse
• Will deal with highly intoxicated or resistant individuals
• May be required to deal with client overdose or other medical situations
• Required to meet with clientele at night after dark in unconventional environments (parks, under bridges, etc.)

Education, Qualifications and Certifications

• Relevant post-secondary education in social services with training in harm reduction, addiction and mental health service or equivalent work experience

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Two years of direct client service with the homeless, ideally in an outreach setting
• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate situations and interact appropriately with intoxicated individuals
• Administration of NARCAN and/or NARCAN training is a strong asset

Skills and Capabilities

• Proven ability to make sound decisions
• Naturally operate with a safety-first mindset
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Comfortable working in unconventional environments (e.g., under bridges, uncertain sites)
• Excellent oral and written skills in English
• Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset
• Minimum 2-year valid G-class driver’s license and clean driving record
• Clear Police Reference Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening is required
• Experience or training in Motivational Interviewing, Assertive Engagement, Housing First Principles and Best Practices, SPDAT delivery, Narcan/Naloxone delivery, First Aid CPR, UMAB or NVCI is an asset

Pay: 25.07 per hour

Hours: Saturday–Wednesday 11:15 AM–7:15 PM; 7:00 PM–3:00 AM on a rotational basis, inclusive of statutory holidays.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $20.25 to $25.31 with a maximum of $30.37. 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.