Community Resource Worker

City of Vancouver•Vancouver, BC

14h•CA$35 - CA$41•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Manager of Homelessness Response Coordination, the Community Resource Worker works within the Integrated Response Team to provide services to some of Vancouver’s most vulnerable residents. This frontline position works outdoors and requires empathy and resourcefulness with the ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations with professionalism and care. The Community Resource Worker builds relationships with individuals in the public realm who may be facing challenges such as housing instability, mental health concerns, or substance use, while providing awareness and supporting a clear understanding of expectations and requirements of City bylaws related to sheltering in the public realm. Through these connections, the worker helps guide individuals toward appropriate services and supports. In addition to frontline engagement, the role includes collecting data, maintaining clear communication, and reporting on program outcomes and challenges. These insights contribute to the ongoing development and effectiveness of the City’s homelessness response strategy.

Requirements

A diploma in community service, or a field related to social science, or psychology including or supplemented by some training in addictions, physical and mental illness, conflict resolution and violence prevention, plus sound related experience, including experience working with the vulnerable public or health-related discipline, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Related experience in a social service frontline position, especially working with vulnerable populations, with a focus on women and/or gender diverse individuals.
Considerable knowledge of the community (especially the Downtown Eastside), and social service agencies, programs, and resources that may be available specifically for women and/or gender diverse individuals.
Considerable knowledge of the rules, policies, operation and programs related to the work.
Knowledge and understanding of addictions, mental illness, the effects of poverty, conflict resolution and violence prevention.
Understanding of and commitment to individuals experiencing homelessness who may also suffer from issues related to substance use, mental health, physical and/or cognitive disabilities and other issues related to poverty and marginalization.
Ability to work with marginalized and culturally diverse populations including those with issues related to substance use and mental health.
Working knowledge of harm reduction principles.
Excellent conflict management and de-escalation skills especially in unpredictable, volatile, and emergency situations, including situations in which mental health and addiction are factors.
Empathetic and advocacy focused decision-making and problem-solving skills especially in volatile, disruptive, and emergency situations.
Excellent verbal communication skills; using inclusion and anti-oppression framework.
Ability to problem solve in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the marginalized population served.
Ability to communicate in a calm, clear and compassionate manner, develop relationships of mutual trust and respect with the general public as well as community partners.
Proficient writing skills and ability to use MS Office applications for report writing and communications.
Ability to exercise excellent independent judgment and take initiative when required.
Ability to enforce policies, procedure, and rules in a firm and compassionate manner.
Trained in Naloxone administration, non-violent crisis intervention and gender-based violence.
Trauma informed approaches to working with equity-denied individuals, including the intergenerational impacts of colonization and residential schools for Indigenous Peoples.
Allyship to marginalized communities and committed to anti-racism framework.
Ability to work as a team member.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position including working outdoors in a variety of conditions.
A Police Record Check is a requirement of this position. A clearance requires the absence of any criminal charges or convictions related to this position.

Nice To Haves

Occupational First Aid Level 1 certificate is an asset.

Responsibilities

Works tactfully and compassionately, without judgement with individuals who may use substances and/or be isolated through poverty, homelessness, mental illness, or other factors of social exclusion.
Provides resource information, meal tickets, and information on storage and connections to outreach and health supports; solutions that lead to short term positive life changes to Vancouver residents that are at risk.
Engages with community members using trauma-informed approach, who may face challenges related to substance use, mental health, disabilities, poverty, and marginalization.
Works with an Integrated Response Team to ensure compliance with City and Park By-laws.
Supports integrated response initiatives and short-term strategies to deal with various homelessness situations.
Establishes and maintains positive relationships and appropriate professional boundaries with staff, community service providers and community members.
Problem-solving in the absence of a supervisor and liaising with other organizations or stakeholders as needed.
Deals confidently and respectfully with volatile and unpredictable situations including those in which mental health and addiction issues are factors.
Makes referrals to community agencies with a specific focus on services supporting people of marginalized genders to include women, trans, gender diverse, and Two Spirit (TGD2S+) people, and sex work communities.
Meets with individuals experiencing homelessness to provide awareness and support a clear understanding of expectations and requirements of City bylaws, including those related to sheltering in the public realm.
Presents self in a professional manner that demonstrates the values of the City of Vancouver and Community Services.
Other duties as assigned.