Community Engagement Worker

Overview

The Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an organization of more than 700 businesses and property owners located in the core commercial area of the City of Kingston. The organization promotes Downtown Kingston as the vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential, and entertainment center of our region, attracting more people to live, shop, work, and gather.

The organization is governed by an elected Board of Management, committees made up of downtown Kingston business owners, and a small, dedicated staff team. BIAs exist in cities and towns across Canada, funded by their members and mandated to oversee the improvement, beautification, and maintenance of municipally owned land and structures, and to promote the area as a business and destination district.

Our team is collaborative, community-minded, and professionally engaged. We thrive on successful events, busy streets, and a downtown core that members and visitors love.

Reporting to the Welcoming Streets Program Supervisor, the Community Engagement Worker is responsible for addressing concerns raised by business owners and the public related to street-involved individuals experiencing housing instability and those facing mental health and/or substance use challenges. As a representative of Welcoming Streets, you will help ensure coordinated and comprehensive support for vulnerable community members.

Duties

• Build trusting and meaningful connections with street-involved individuals who may be experiencing complex challenges.
• Establish genuine and positive relationships with business owners, residents, visitors and community members.
• Collaborate with social service partners, bylaw officers, special constables and Kingston Police to ensure appropriate and coordinated support.
• Assist individuals in accessing appropriate services and supports.
• Respond to non-emergency calls and safely engage with community members in crisis.

Note: The Community Engagement Worker is expected and required to conduct activities outside the office and outside regular working hours, including during events and community activations. You will be required to be outside in all kinds of weather and the position can be physically demanding, requiring walking for extended periods of time.

Education & Experience

• Post-secondary education in a Social Services discipline is preferred
• Minimum 1 year relevant experience working with vulnerable populations

Assets

• Experience and/or training in supporting individuals with addictions, housing instabilities and/or mental health challenges an asset.
• Vulnerable Sector CPIC
• First Aid and CPR
• NVCI
• Knowledge in Universal Precautions
• Lived experience
• Experience in responding to overdoses
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a small team

Pay: $22.00-$25.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 15.0 per week

Work Location: In person