Housing Support Worker Relief

Position: Housing Support Worker

Program: Home for Good – Robinson Place

Role Type: Zero Hour / Relief

Job Classification: Existing Vacancy

Work Hours: Based on program needs

Reports to: Team Supervisor

Union Status: Unionized

Rate of Pay: $26.11 – $29.61

This position is paid according to a unionized collective bargaining agreement (CBA) wage grid. Successful candidates start at $26.11/hour, increase to $27.70/hour after completing Year 1 requirements, and reach $29.61/hour in Year 2, based on the established hours and progression steps in the agreement.

About Marathon Community Services (formally known as Gateway Residential and Community Support Services)

Mission

Through a person-centred approach, we empower individuals to live lives of their choosing. To be independent in their way and housed safely and affordably.

Vision

We envision a future free from barriers, where all people are valued, connected and empowered to reach their full potential.

Values

Respect – We treat everyone with dignity and kindness, recognizing the inherent worth of people

Inclusion – We honour diversity and actively work to ensure everyone feels seen, heard and valued

Compassion – We meet each person with empathy, understanding that everyone’s journey is unique

Empowerment – We support people to make informed choices, take charge of their own growth and persevere in the face of life’s challenges

Job Summary

As a team member of Robinson Place - Home for Good building, the housing support worker will provide front line client centered approach to maintain housing stability. We believe that access to secure affordable housing is a key determinant of health, and well-being of people who have experienced chronic homelessness. The Home for Good program will work in collaboration with other agencies to ensure the well-being of clients is met by providing meaningful engagement and involvement in services required to create healthy long-term housing stability.

Responsibilities

• Support tenants to maintain housing stability by developing independent living skills and peruse personal wellness
• Ensuring the client is informed of Home for Good philosophy
• Serve individuals in accordance with Coordinated Access and By-Name List policy and procedure
• Work closely with the team supervisor, and program manager to facilitate access to available program supports, including addictions, mental health, peer support and landlord engagement
• Conduct ongoing case management and in unit visits with clients
• Arrange for rent supplements or housing allowances, as necessary
• Offer client engagement, intake and identification of goals
• Work with high acuity clients that will require wrap around supports
• Support clients to rapidly access permanent housing
• Provide additional housing support, including neighbourhood orientation, property management services, utility setup, assistance with rent payment, and co-signing or subletting of leases as necessary to support successful tenancy
• Support client to maintain tenancy and develop/maintain relationships with landlord to mitigate risk of housing loss
• Support a "No Wrong Door" approach to service access by developing and maintaining partnerships with other community partners that contribute to an array of services related to secondary needs; making referrals as required
• Intervene in crisis situations using a suite of de-escalation techniques
• Provide strong advocacy for participants' self-determination and independence in day-to- day activities
• Support successful exit from program (as appropriate)
• Work closely with Niagara Region to ensure an effective system-wide approach, policy development and implementation, attendance at training and regular Home for Good meetings
• Distribute harm reduction products and provide harm reduction education as needed
• Utilize HIFIS reporting tool for accurate and timely records
• Conduct SPDAT with clients to assess progress within the program
• Adapt and utilize the Home for Good / Housing First Approach
• Ensure a safe environment for all tenants and staff of the building

This position description reflects the general duties of the position, but it is not intended to be a detailed description of all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Housing Support Worker may also be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

Requirements

• Community College Diploma or a University Degree in social services or other closely related field or a in Social Work, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Social Service Worker Diploma, Mental Health and Addiction Worker Diploma)
• College Diploma in a related field with 10 years’ experience working in social services related to homelessness programs
• One-year experience in the community focusing on homelessness programs
• Two years’ experience related experience working in social services
• A valid G driver’s license with a reliable vehicle and permission to carry rider attached with $2 million dollar
• liability
• A satisfactory police clearance and vulnerable sector check is a condition for employment
• Must be available to work weekends and evenings
• Demonstrated knowledge of Housing First principles, guidelines, and related housing
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery principles, and harm reduction philosophy
• An understanding of case management; including assessment, service planning, skills reaching, monitoring and evaluation, concepts, acts and regulations
• Demonstrated knowledge of human/legal rights and relevant legislation
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written skills
• Must possess a valid First Aid/CPR certification that does not expire within the probationary period. If certification expires, the employee is responsible for all renewal costs
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training is an asset
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills
• Computer literacy, including effective working skills of HIFIS, MS Word, Excel and e-mail required
• Good organizational, time management and prioritizing skills
• Strong morals and ethics, along with a commitment to staff and client privacy
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional education
• Ability to monitor financial accountabilities
• Physically able to perform all assigned tasks
• Bi-lingual in both French and English is an asset

Police Clearance and Vulnerable Sector Check Requirements

To ensure the safety of the individuals we serve, all successful candidates for this position will be required to provide a Police Clearance and Vulnerable Sector Check from their local police service. A clear Vulnerable Sector Check is a condition of employment. Any prior convictions or offenses (outside the scope of the Vulnerable Sector Check) will be assessed in accordance with applicable privacy and human rights legislation. A criminal record may be considered in the hiring decision, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants will have the opportunity to discuss any relevant information once the check is requested.

Work Conditions

• May be exposed to infectious waste, communicable diseases, and other conditions
• Interacts with residents, family members, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel under all circumstances
• Exposure to traumatic situations
• Travel is required. Client travel in ones’ own vehicle may be required
• Manual dexterity required to use a desktop computer and peripherals
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting
• May be exposed to environments that have cigarette smoke, drug paraphernalia or illegal substances

Additional Information

AI Use Disclosure (Ontario Employment Standards Act – ESA)

In accordance with Ontario’s Employment Standards Act and related job posting requirements, this employer does not use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to screen, assess or select applicants at any stage of the recruitment or hiring process. All applications are reviewed by our hiring team.

Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Gateway is committed to supporting a culture of diversity and inclusiveness across the organization. We believe in equal opportunity, and it is our priority to ensure a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. If you are contacted for an interview, please notify Human Resources of any accommodation needs you may have during the selection process. Information received regarding the accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially. We thank all respondents for their applications but only those selected for an interview

Pay: From $26.11 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• Do you have a Community College Diploma or a University Degree in social services or other closely related field or a in Social Work, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Social Service Worker Diploma, Mental Health and Addiction Worker Diploma) ?
• Access to a vehicle
• Availability to work evenings and weekends
• Email Address

Education:

• DCS / DEC (required)

Experience:

• community focusing on homelessness programs : 1 year (required)
• with homelessness, mental health and addictions: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• G drivers license not G1 or G2 (required)
• CPR First Aid Level C (preferred)
• NVCI (preferred)

Work Location: In person