Supportive Housing Coordinator

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre; Waverley; On-site; CAD 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community organization is seeking a Supportive Housing Coordinator to lead its housing programs in Waverley. This role involves managing staff, overseeing operations, and providing support through a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in community services, particularly in working with Indigenous populations and addressing issues of homelessness and mental health. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable community members while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. If you are passionate about social justice and have the skills to lead a dedicated team, this role is for you.

Qualifications

• Diploma in community social services or related field required.
• 3 years of experience in mental health, homelessness, or social services.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of housing programs and staff.
• Ensure program delivery aligns with the organization's mission and values.

Skills

Crisis intervention & prevention skills

Effective communication skills

Management skills

Knowledge of community resources

Understanding of Indigenous issues

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Diploma/certification in community social services

Education in mental health or social work

Tools

HIFIS database

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint)

Job description

Employment Opportunity: Supportive Housing Coordinator

Location: Waverley, NS

Salary Range: $65,000.00 annually

Employment Term: Full time hours Jan/Feb to March 31st, 2026, with possibility of renewal (Monday to Friday)

Reports To: Housing Program Manager

General Description:

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is centrally located in the urban Indigenous community of Halifax and is looking for One (1) Supportive Housing Coordinator. This position will be full-time hours Monday- Friday, 9-4 pm. The Coordinator is a part of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s housing team and directly manages the Supportive Housing Intensive Case Manager and Client Support Staff. The Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Etli-Sankewim+K building and Sage House, as well as managing the client support staff at both building locations. The Coordinator is responsible for managing the programs for both sites and reports to the MNFC Housing Program manager. These two transitional buildings will provide affordable housing for Indigenous women, families and trans persons who have experienced housing insecurity.

A part of this position requires the Coordinator to provide support through a trauma informed person-centred, anti-oppressive, decolonized, and Indigenous lens with an emphasis on harm reduction principles. An integral part of this position is having the ability to work with a two-eyed seeing approach to organizational management practices while providing Indigenous based support services for community members with the goal of achieving sustainable housing in the community.

Safety is of the utmost importance in offering housing support to vulnerable populations and this role will require strict confidentiality and crisis intervention & prevention skills. In this role you must positively embody certain skills (effective communication skills, managing stressful situations, deescalating crisis, and being flexible). This job description will change as the workplace changes.

Key Accountabilities:

• Ensure all staff are trained to utilize the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s (MNFC) database and HIFIS database. Oversee staff usage and ensure everyone is recording and tracking data appropriately.
• Ensure that program delivery is congruent with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centres mission, vision and philosophy.
• Complete quarterly and annual reports, track and record client outcomes according to funding requirements.
• Create and follow yearly budget for the Transitional Housing Program.
• Use a collaborative approach while managing housing team to work through complex cases.
• Organize for the Etli-Sankewim+K building to have regular property maintenance and safety standards up to code.
• Purchase items related to programming and office supplies for communal and staff spaces.
• Provide training to all staff regarding program policies and guidelines and ensure staff continue to follow program standards.
• Liase with neighbours and community members to mediate any concerns regarding the transitional housing sites.
• Manage the transitional housing team with respect, direction, support, team building, training, performance evaluations and positively lead by example.
• Develop program policies to meet the needs of the Indigenous community experiencing homelessness while prioritizing the confidentiality and dignity of all clients.
• Track project/program budgets and spending to ensure accurate spending/record keeping of expenses, provide quarterly reports and write proposals for new funding opportunities.
• Organize programming and events to support the wellbeing of staff and clients to access culturally safe support.
• Attend networking meetings to advocate for Indigenous housing and build community partnerships.
• Support transitional team to work with individuals and families to navigate appropriate systems related to obtaining and maintaining housing.
• Work in partnership with both private and non-profit sector of the housing market to ensure appropriate placement of families.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive documentation regarding all interactions with staff. Documentation must be in accordance with agency standards and adhere to funder requirements.
• Managers are expected to be involved in all areas of management of employees (ex. performance, discipline, training).
• Maintain client confidentiality, privacy and clear boundaries.
• Compile statistics and data that will assist with the outcomes and evaluation of this housing initiative.
• Commit to the development of the MNFC and participate in internal committees, projects and activities.
• Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client centred programs and services are delivered.
• Is responsible for keeping informed of ESIA policies for the benefit of staff and clients.
• Network and collaborate with community organizations to integrate poverty, homelessness and women, trans gendered issues into the development of project proposals.
• Develop and maintain a positive interaction with community agencies for the benefit of the MNFC housing program.
• Familiarity with policies pertaining to Income Assistance, Disability Support, Mental Health and Tenancy rights.
• Work collaboratively and positively lead an interprofessional housing team. Team expectations include regular meetings, planning events, team debriefing and team building.
• Adhere to all policies governing the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience Required for the Position:

• Diploma/certification in community social services; or education in mental health, addictions, concurrent disorders/co-occurring disorders and social work.
• Three years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, substance use disorders, homelessness and/or social services.
• Experience in a management position, guiding and leading employees.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of Indigenous women’s, transgendered issues, poverty, homelessness, trafficking and their root causes.
• Demonstrated understanding of Housing First and Harm reduction principles and approach.
• Utilizes a social justice perspective.
• Comprehensive knowledge of community resources, programs and services including ESIA, local/provincial housing, subsidy programs and residential tenancy rights and regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Reliable means of transportation (must own a working vehicle).
• Provide a current driver abstract and a copy of a valid class 5 driver’s license.
• Provide proof of motor vehicle insurance with 2 million in liability insurance.
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint).
• Must have a working cell phone (be accessible 24/7).
• Core Competency Training: Management, Mental Health/First Aid, ASIST and NVCI.
• Required Vulnerable Sector Check & Child Abuse Registrar must be provided prior to start of position.
• Indigenous Ancestry is an asset, please self-identify.

Application Deadline: January 6th 2025

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel working within this job title.

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre is an equal opportunity employer; and complies with all fair employment practices laws. We are committed to providing a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment and prohibit the same against employees, applicants or other covered persons by co-workers, supervisors, managers, or third parties based on a person’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veterans status, disability unrelated to job requirements, ethnicity, genetic information, military service, political affiliation, marital status and pregnancy or other protected status.

Qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) reserves the right to refuse all applications for employment. The MNFC will not assume any expenses related to this or any job application process included and not limited to travel, relocation, and application development.

*Only those applicants who are screened in for an interview will be contacted.