Rapid Rehousing Worker (Full Time)

JOB SUMMARY

The Rapid Rehousing Worker is responsible for assessing and assisting community members staying in shelter with finding housing.  The worker will assess the level of support needed to assist the community member to find housing, ensuring that lower-acuity community members use as many pre-existing resources available to them as possible to move into housing quickly. The Rapid Rehousing Worker will connect with community members in drop-in, shelter, community, and in their homes, to establish housing goals and plans to obtain or maintain housing. The focus of this position is on shelter diversion, rapid rehousing, light-touch support, and resource linkage.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prioritize housing location with participants, assisting them in finding permanent housing as quickly as possible;
• Develop an individualized service plan in collaboration with participants, respecting their right to self-determination;
• Provide light touch supports in the areas of, but not limited to, independent living skills, housing stabilization, money management, community integration, employment linkage, benefits establishment, linkage to community providers for substance abuse, primary and mental health care, and other services needed to assist participants in meeting their housing needs;
• Operate from a strengths based, person centered, trauma informed, harm reduction perspective; 
• Establish partnerships with landlords, and advocate on behalf of program participants;
• Support participants to create stability in housing;
• Meet with participants in the community and in their homes to assist in the transition to living and integrating in the community for up to one month after a participant is housed;
• Act as an advocate for the needs of the community members of Siloam Mission;
• Maintain participant records and required documentation in a timely manner;
• Monitor, evaluate and communicate the progress of participants with the participants themselves, team members and the supervisors on a regular basis;
• Other duties as it relates to the position.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE  

• Completion of a degree in social work, psychology, counselling or a diploma in a relevant field.  Years of relevant/direct experience may be considered;
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge in mental health and/or addiction field;
• Experience in co-creating individualized service plans, completing assessments, service planning, and goal setting;
• Experience working in the housing sector an understanding of a variety of housing models including Housing First and Recovery-based;
• Lived experience of homelessness and/or addiction recovery is considered an asset.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/BEHAVIORS

• Knowledge of community resources for homelessness, health, mental health and substance use;
• Good working knowledge of the housing resources available in the community;
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique issues and barriers affecting those experiencing poverty and homelessness;
• Good understanding of colonization and its impact on Indigenous peoples;
• Ability to work within a harm-reduction framework;
• Ability to work from a trauma-informed perspective;
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Highly developed understanding of and proven ability to communicate appropriate professional boundaries;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form relationships;
• Demonstrate maturity and excellent ability to work well in a team and also independently;
• A compassionate and empathetic outlook and ability to convey these characteristics in relationship with participants;
• Experienced user of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Experience in working with HIFIS4 an asset;
• Certification in or demonstrated knowledge of NVCI, ASIST, CPR/First Aid, Mental Health First Aid training (MHFA), Motivational Interviewing is preferred.

RELATIONSHIP 

• Reporting to the Manager of Transition Services;
• Work closely with Transition Services, drop-in staff, and emergency shelter staff;
• Work with other departments within Siloam Mission;
• Liaise, advocate and collaborate with housing providers throughout the sector. 

WORKING CONDITION 

• Hours of work: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.;
• Will require working alone with participants and visiting participants in their homes;
• Hazardous conditions could potentially include unpredictable or risky behaviours from community members;
• May be required to lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally and assist participants with moving into housing;
• Must have valid Class 5F driver’s license, an acceptable driver abstract, access to a vehicle in good condition and be willing to drive participants to appointments.

Workplace Health and Safety

The incumbent contributes to making the organization safe for clients and staff and recognizes the importance of reporting unsafe situations and participating in follow up reviews as a learning opportunity.

• Provides a safe environment by ensuring adherences to Workplace Safety and Health
• Regulations and Policies, Infection Control Guidelines, WHMIS and Safe Work Procedures. Immediately investigates and recommends corrective action on any unsafe acts, work conditions, incidents, near misses, injuries or illnesses.
• Demonstrates understanding of role and responsibilities in fire prevention and disaster preparedness and participates in safety and health training programs including the facility’s Fire, Disaster and Evacuation Plan.
• Supports an environment which avoids, prevents and corrects all activities or actions which may result in an adverse outcome in the delivery of services. Community Member safety is a standing item for all individual and departmental meetings.