Community Outreach Advocate

The Mustard SEED Society • Calgary, AB

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Mustard Seed is seeking a Community Outreach Advocate to make a meaningful impact within the community by working closely with community members and partners. This role is for an advocate for mental health with experience working with vulnerable people. Reporting to the Community Outreach Team Lead, the Community Outreach Advocate is a member of a multidisciplinary outreach team that aims to meet the social determinants of health for community members experiencing multiple barriers, which can result in chronic homelessness and/or increased utilization of emergency health services. The Community Outreach Advocate is committed to helping community members who may be experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing, transition toward and maintain sustainable and healthy lifestyles. The purpose of the Health and Wellness area is to support the social determinants of health through system navigation and advocacy. The Community Outreach Advocate connects guests with any needed external and internal resources and will respond to emergency situations as needed.

Requirements

• A passion to be part of ending homelessness in Alberta.
• BSW or Bachelor in Psychology or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum two years’ experience working in Mental Health is an asset.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and people experiencing homelessness is a definite asset.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with clients, members of the multidisciplinary team, and community agencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Calgary’s community (mental) health and addiction resources, and adept in navigating those systems.
• Knowledge of FOIP and ability to observe confidentiality standards.
• A self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team & accomplish goals.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office Programs); experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) an asset.
• Good organizational, time management skills and advocacy skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Valid Driver’s License (Class 5) and a clean drivers abstract required.
• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed.
• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.
• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.
• This position requires the use of a company vehicle. Candidate must have and maintain valid driver’s licence and will need to consent to a driver’s abstract request.

Nice To Haves

• BSW or Bachelor in Psychology or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum two years’ experience working in Mental Health is an asset.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and people experiencing homelessness is a definite asset.
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) an asset.

Responsibilities

• Meet with Community members in the community and do the Mustard Seed General Intake getting new guests referred as quickly as possible to other internal and external programs.
• Educate and empower community members to understand and achieve their rights and responsibilities, as participating members of society.
• Liaise with internal and external resources that will help community members increase their assets. This includes maintaining existing partnerships as well as developing new partnerships.
• In regards to community members who have a Caseworker, compliment the work of the Caseworkers by acting as a consultant and liaison for issues that require community members access to external resources.
• In regards to community members who do not have a Caseworker, refer these guests directly to internal and external resources.
• Facilitate and support diversion of clients to warm locations.
• Work in collaboration with the Addictions Mental Health Social Worker and the rest of the mobile outreach worker to provide comprehensive case management as needed.
• Advocate for guest as needed both to access resources within and outside the organization.
• Ensure guests accessed external resources by completing follow up with guests and agencies.
• Helps facilitate the clients’ optimized utilization of all available community supports.
• Document client interactions, client referrals and client progress on the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and the clinic’s electronic medical record (EMR).
• Provide crisis and emergency intervention, as necessary.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships within The Mustard Seed and with external agencies.
• Builds a comprehensive library & knowledge-base on community resources related to substance dependency.
• Tracks statistics and prepares reports, as required.

Benefits

• Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them uttering threats, discriminatory statements, and other insults at your person. This may in a raised voice, or in seeing unpredictable behaviour up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive. Training on how to respond is provided, but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level