POSITION TITLE: Support Worker
PROGRAM: Various Sites in Vancouver
UNION: BCGEU
SALARY:  $26.42/hour (BCGEU grid 34) + $2.50/hour as a premium for night shifts.
TYPE: Casual Relief. All casuals are expected to work at multiple locations
SCHEDULE: This is a casual relief position. Casuals will be called in to work to cover vacancies as they arise. Our programs run 24/7 365 days a year. We offer day, evening and over night shifts which are generally 8 hours in length.
START DATE: As soon as possible

Pursuant to the Provincial Health Officer's Order, the incumbent of this position is required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will only consider applicants who are fully vaccinated, or who have received an exemption from the Provincial Health Office. Proof of either must be provided in advance of any offer of employment being made.

To apply please include your resume, with a cover letter describing your suitability for this position, in an email with the subject line of “job2022.165” to

ABOUT US

RainCity Housing makes a difference in people’s lives, creating, implementing, and managing housing and support programs that sustain relationships, strengthen communities, and make change for people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues, throughout BC’s lower mainland and the Sunshine Coast.

We are continuing to grow, and we are looking for talented and dedicated people to join our team. We are currently adding a significant number of on-call Support Workers to staff various programs throughout Vancouver. Programs operate 24/7 and staff are needed to fill shifts night, on weekends and in evenings.

Right now, our employees are playing a significant role in ensuring some of our most vulnerable individuals continue to receive the support and programs they need. We are looking for dedicated people to join our team and help as we continue to make a difference in the lives of those we work with every day.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Support Worker provides a range of supports, serving homeless/at risk individuals, many of whom are living with mental illness, substance use and/or HIV.  Using a strengths-based model, the Support Worker participates with tenants in the development and implementation of service plans, including: assessment; goal setting, achievement and review; resource acquisition; and monitoring in the areas of daily living, financial, vocational/educational, social supports, health, harm reduction, culture, recovery and leisure/recreational supports. The Support Worker works closely and collaboratively with other direct service staff, family and external service providers, advocating for access and rights as needed. The Support Worker also provides daily supports including medication administration, building security, crisis intervention, health and recreational groups and general problem solving.

QUALIFICATIONS

Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness; Minimum education and experience includes:

• A Diploma in community social services
• Two years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services. Lived or living experience with mental health, substance use, sex work or homelessness is considered an asset.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Current First Aid and CPR certification; Naloxone Certification

Key Skills and Abilities – for supporting people receiving our services

• Establish a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the client, contacting and getting to know the client as a unique individual, and clarifying the role of the PSS and client in the service planning process
• Ability to identify and work to increase client strengths, including the use of hope inducing strategies and assisting the client in self-managing their illness and other aspects of their life
• Informally teach harm reduction, life skills
• Respond to problematic behaviour using an understanding of the behaviour’s context and function
• Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources
• Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction
• Knowledge of diagnoses, treatment and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, HIV and Hepatitis C
• Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and program models for special needs populations
• Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization as related to chronically homeless individuals
• Ability to effectively and safely resolve crisis situations
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to establish workload priorities, adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with conflict situations
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position