POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Outreach Worker position compliments and supports the Healing Bear Outreach Program. The Housing Outreach Worker provides client centered and culturally appropriate services through the housing continuum from homelessness to obtaining and maintaining permanent housing options. As a part of the Healing Bear Outreach Team, the Housing Outreach Worker provides supports in identifying and accessing resources in the community and when appropriate, conducts continuous intakes in homeless camps, shelters and in deep Vancouver(downtown east side) .

REPORTS TO:        Healing Bear Program Coordinator

CORE COMPENTENCIES

Communication:

• Maintain comprehensive records of contact with Indigenous individuals and families
• Demonstrates ability to communicate important information both verbally, written and in reports to coordinator in a timely and professional manner
• Demonstrates honesty, timeliness and consistency in all communications
• Excellent open listening skills and commitment to continually seek understanding of the culture, protocol and communication processes of Indian tribes.

Commitment:

• Demonstrate the ability to carry out the purpose and objectives of the Helping Spirit Lodge Society and ensure a commitment to the delivery of services that provides safe and protective shelter to urban Indigenous women and children
• Liaise with community and government stakeholders while developing partnerships to enhance quality services

• Demonstrate a passion and long term intent to work within the Urban Indigenous community
• Availability and flexibility to maintain on call duties

Indigenous Centred Service Approach

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of, and experience with, Indian Tribes in Kanata (Canada) and work in a setting with a variety of different traditions and cultures represented and general cultural competency
• Demonstrate ability to apply theory to practice working with Indigenous women and children
• Willingness to support Indigenous people in determining their own future
• Experiencing Indian Tribes without judgment or stereotyping; as strong, vital and important members of community

Building Trust Relationships

• Maintain confidentiality in respect to Helping Spirit Lodge Society and all its members seeking assistance
• Demonstrate ability to exercise non-judgement and adherence to confidentiality
• Treat people with fairness and respect independent of their status or disagreement with you

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-Secondary degree in counselling, social work, human services or a related field, or equivalent experience and education.
• A minimum of two years’ recent related experience which should include: Motivational Interviewing skills.
• Understanding of addiction and other abuse issues and current treatment models
• Solid understanding of human services ethics with regard to confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
• Have understanding of Homelessness issues facing an Urban Indigenous population.
• Ability to maintain a calm professional approach in crisis situations
• Demonstrated ability working constructively and cooperatively in a team setting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (Ability to work and collaborate in Share Point with regards to case notes.
• Knowledge and experience with case recording practices and maintaining case files in Share Point
• Demonstrate a cultural sensitivity and understanding of the homeless population’s socio-economic characteristics
• Have the ability to form mutually respectful partnerships with clients and landlords.
• Have the ability to work with any family/ Individual that is referred.
• Have the ability to work with values and behaviours that are very different from those of the employee
• Ensure that personal values and beliefs are not insinuated, promoted, or imposed on the homeless individuals/ families.
• Have a positive conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• Have the ability to work in partnership with other team members, including referring authorities and funding organizations.
• Criminal Record Check clearance and clean drivers abstract
• Non Violent Crisis Intervention, First Aid, CPR
• Proficiency in MS family

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

• Adheres to HSLS and the Healing Bear Outreach program guidelines and policies
• Weekly visits with other sister/ brother organizations to the downtown east side to deliver nutritional meals on a weekly basis to our most vulnerable population
• Conduct continuous intakes in the core of homeless shelters, tent cities and referrals from other agencies.
• Prepare soup kitchen, recruit volunteers to help with distribution
• Assist in holding space for ceremony and other Traditional Gathering Events (Flexibility is a must)
• Builds and maintains a positive supportive relationship with individuals / families
• Engages clients in assessment and case management to reduce homelessness
• Contributes to regular reporting procedures, including ongoing case notes, incident reports, monthly progress summaries and exit reports.
• Makes required referrals and supports Individuals/ families to the connection to the Outreach Project and objectives
• Promotes public awareness of and support for the Outreach Program
• Liaises with landlords, building management companies, community service providers and other professionals to increase awareness of the Outreach Program and to promote and maintain Progressive Landlord Network partnerships.
• Provides Tenant/Landlord support, life skills and intervention to reduce or manage evictions and to ensure positive, safe landlord/tenant relationships for clients and for the program.
• Provides supportive outreach to engage Individuals/ family networks and providing sufficient resources towards increasing our Relation’s access and maintain permanent housing options.
• Provides housing loss prevention support through home visits, bridging clients to educational, job training, recreational and cultural resources.
• Attends weekly team meetings as required
• Represents HSLS in the community when required

• Cleaning Duties Every Day( Clean office Spaces, Kitchen Area, Communal Shared Spaces, Washrooms and Disinfect all keyboards, phones and photocopy room, fridge, garbage goes out to the dumpster and recycling everyday.