Housing Support Worker

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory•Halifax, NS

5d•CA$21 - CA$32•Onsite

About The Position

The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda for over 130 years. Building on its roots as a worldwide Christian church, each year it helps over 2 million people by providing necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. In addition, it supports people experiencing unemployment, addiction, and family challenges. The organization continually adapts and innovates to meet emerging needs and live out its mission, vision, and values of hope, service, dignity, and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, The Salvation Army hires and serves people of all backgrounds and walks of life, believing there is a place for everyone to belong. The Mission Statement of The Salvation Army is to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs, and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world. This role ensures support program delivery congruent with the Centre of Hope’s (COH) Mission, Vision, and Values, and works in accordance with COH policies, procedures, and philosophy of practice. The position involves liaising and developing relationships with landlords and property managers within HRM to develop a list of viable housing stock and options for men transitioning to independence within this housing program. Responsibilities include providing intake, assessment, referral services, assistance in accessing resources, crisis intervention, eviction prevention services, outreach, and mediation for men in the Housing Support program. The role also involves liaising with other agencies on behalf of men and programs, participating in community committees, and collaborating with other Housing Support Workers within HRM. Advocacy with community agencies to ensure the needs, barriers, and strengths of at-risk and homeless males are addressed, and conducting public education presentations about the issues of homeless males are also key functions. The position requires completing and maintaining records, assessments, daily statistics, and files, ensuring confidentiality, and compiling statistics and data for accessing housing supports to assist with outcomes and evaluation. Commitment to the development of COH projects and activities, participation in internal committees, and assisting in program and service development to ensure quality, effective, and client-centered services are delivered are expected. The role provides a supportive environment and fosters a therapeutic milieu that promotes empowerment, and may involve supervising field placement students. Other duties as required will also be performed.

Requirements

Demonstrated skill applicable to a client-directed approach and a social justice perspective.
Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention.
Demonstrate knowledge of Trusteeship programs and effective money management.
Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to build appropriate and healthy rapport with at-risk and homeless persons.
Extensive knowledge of community resources and the social service delivery system.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet.
Demonstrated high level of understanding of the issues of homelessness.
Ability to work within the mandate of The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement.
Bachelor of Social Work, or an undergraduate degree and Human Services diploma or other relevant undergraduate degree or a combination of education and experience.
Registration or Candidacy for Registration, certification or membership of a related professional body (if applicable).
A minimum of one to three years of experience working with at-risk and homeless persons providing case management and advocacy.
Non-violent crisis intervention (NVCI), Suicide Intervention (ASSIST), Standard First Aid and COH medication training and/or a commitment to secure those requirements within six months of being hired.
Experience in program development.
Able to provide Criminal Background Check screening that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working for a Walk-in Centre of a non-profit organization is an asset.
Independent and a team player

Responsibilities

Ensure support program delivery congruent with the Centre of Hope’s (COH) Mission, Vision and Values.
Work in accordance with COH policies, procedures and philosophy of practice.
Liaise and develop relationships with landlords and property managers within HRM.
Develop a list of viable housing stock and options for men transitioning to independence within this housing program.
Provide for men: intake, assessment and referral services, assistance in accessing resources, crisis intervention and eviction prevention services, outreach and mediation in relation to the Housing Support program.
Liaise with other agencies on behalf of men and programs and participate in community committees, projects or activities as appropriate.
Work in collaboration with other Housing Support Workers within HRM.
Advocate with community agencies to ensure that the needs, barriers and strengths of males who are at-risk and homeless are addressed.
Conduct public education presentations about the issues of homeless males.
Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics and files, and ensure confidentiality is protected.
Compile statistics and data for accessing housing supports that will assist with the outcomes and evaluation of this housing initiative.
Commit to the development of COH projects and activities and participate in internal committees.
Assist in program and service development to ensure that quality, effective and client-centered programs and services are delivered.
Provide a supportive environment and foster a therapeutic milieu that promotes empowerment.
Supervise field placement students as required.
Perform other duties as required.
Help with occasional “special occasions” after hours: i.e. Feast of Christmas, resident’s Christmas Party, to be supportive to Chapel programs.