Outreach Coordinator

CMHA Kelowna is hiring a full-time Outreach Coordinator. This position offers 37.5 hours per week with a work schedule of Monday – Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm

WHO IS THE OUTREACH COORDINATOR? 

The Outreach Coordinator identifies unsheltered homelessness through direct street outreach activities and through community referrals from mental health, hospitals, local law enforcement, and other social service agencies. The Coordinator supports a team to work collaboratively while building relationships with people experiencing, or at significant risk of homelessness, providing advocacy, and assisting with connection to benefits and housing.
 

WHAT DOES THE OUTREACH COORDINATOR DO? 

·         Conducts proactive outreach efforts to locate and engage individuals who are sheltering outdoors, focusing on those who have not accessed Outdoor Sheltering Site 4 or mainstream services

·         Completed supplies inventory for care kits including food, hygiene, and harm reduction items

·         Performs food bank and other donation pick-ups as needed when Navigators are unavailable

·         Develops strategies to establish trust and rapport with individuals to encourage their participation in support services

·         Advises the Manager of information that could affect the safety and well-being of street involved individuals including toxic supply, dangerous offenders or predators

·         Approaches each interaction with sensitivity, empathy, and cultural awareness to create a safe and supportive environment

·         Identifies individuals' needs in various domains, including hygiene, food, housing, medical, substance use, and mental health

·         Creates individualized service plans to address specific needs and goals, working collaboratively with clients to determine appropriate action steps

·         Locates individuals and maps their locations throughout Kelowna

·         Regularly monitors and reviews clients' progress, adjusting support plans as needed

·         Connects with individuals who have been successfully discharged from our Intensive Case Management program should they require “light touch” support and short-term intervention

·         Assists Case Managers as needed with moving clients in and out of their homes including packing, carrying, and moving client belongings

·         Facilitates connections and referrals to other community services, including medical facilities, mental health services, social assistance programs, and substance use services

·         Collaborates with relevant service providers to ensure seamless and coordinated support for clients

·         Engages with local residents and businesses to support outcome focused discussions

·         Supervises staff by performing duties such as assigning work, providing feedback and evaluation, determining training requirements, orienting new staff, and completing schedules and timesheets

·         Oversees the Outreach communication log, maintaining timekeeping and attendance records as well as resolving staffing issues, advising the Manager of any staffing concerns

·         Chairs weekly team meetings to build team and culture, and connect regarding trends, gaps in service, safety concerns, etc.

·         Communicates regularly with the Manager regarding mutual participants and service collaboration

·         Assists in recruitment and selection of staff by performing duties such as reviewing applications, developing interview questions and participating in interviews

·         Attends and represents CMHA Kelowna Outreach at community meetings, including Coordinated Access to Supportive Housing (CASH) Table

·         Responds to crisis situations among individuals sheltering outdoors, including de-escalating tense situations and providing immediate assistance during mental health crises or overdoses

·         Collaborates with emergency response teams, law enforcement, and medical personnel when necessary

·         Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of all interactions, assessments, and services provided to client systems

·         Administers and completes provincially mandated housing applications and screening tools (Supportive Housing Registry & Vulnerability Assessment Tool)

·         Works within the program budget, monitors expenditures, and assists with financial reports

·         Provides information for reporting on grants and funding to the Manager as needed

·         Hosts and coordinates the Youth Coordinated Access Table (YCAT), maintaining accurate records, referral tracking, and follow-up documentation.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

·      Grade 12 required

·      Valid Class 5 driver’s license

·      Proof of Liability Insurance

·      Criminal Record Check clearance in the Vulnerable Sector

·      Diploma in Human Service Worker or related field considered an asset

·      Certificates in First Aid, CPR, Naloxone and Food Safe considered an asset

·      Minimum 2 years work experience in addictions and mental health is preferred

·      Experience leading a small team preferred

·      Experience working directly at street-level with individuals experiencing homelessness is preferred

·         Ability to engage respectfully and develop rapport with individuals, with multiple barriers, through a harm reduction lens

·         Communication skills to effectively support clients

·         Ability to listen with sensitivity to other people’s feelings, needs, and point of view, tactfully expressing options or ideas, recognizing opportunities to enhance community relations

·         Ability to work in cooperation with team members and independently

·         Understanding of and commitment to working with people experiencing mental health concerns and substance use

·         Working knowledge of community-based resources

·         Ability to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner, utilizing good organizational skills

·         Ability to manage multiple cases efficiently and effectively

·         Ability to maintain consistent professional boundaries, exercising mature judgment and understanding of safety concerns

·         Understanding of Harm Reduction theory and demonstrated ability to implement harm reduction strategies

·         Understanding of Intentional Outreach, Housing First, Rapid Re-Housing, and Shelter Diversion principles

·         Understanding of working with a Trauma Informed lens

·         Familiar with or ability to learn Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS)

·         Proficient understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel

·         Strong attention to detail

·         Critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

·         Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills

·      Ability to be regularly exposed to individuals who are struggling with and/or recovering from trauma, drug/alcohol use, homelessness, mental health challenges and/or mental illness

·      Ability to be regularly exposed to and in direct contact with dust, dirt, germs and human bio-products

·      Ability to travel between facilities and other locations on a daily basis

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website at www.cmhakelowna.org

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU:

•         A competitive hourly wage of $47,395.17-61,613.73

•         Dental, Health & EAP Benefits

•         Wellness Spending Account

•         RRSP matching program

•         Vacation & Personal Health Days

•         Workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and teamwork

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.