Housing Focused Caseworker

JOB SUMMARY

The housing-focused case worker is responsible for assessing where community members who present for shelter are on a spectrum of needs, and ensuring that lower-acuity community members use as many pre-existing resources available to them as possible to move into housing quickly. They connect with community members in drop-in, shelter, community, and their homes, to establish housing goals and plans to get or maintain housing. Their focus is on shelter diversion, rapid rehousing, light-touch resources, and short-term case management.

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 addressing short term and long-term goals;
• Identify new sign-ups to shelter and provide short-term diversion services by assisting community members to enhance their capacity for self-determination, meeting short-term needs in order for participant to exhaust all other support options.
• Develop individualized diversion plan in collaboration with community member addressing short-term goals;
• Provide short-term case management services in the area 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 all other services needed to assist participants in meeting their housing needs;
• Provide strength-based case management and service coordination services designed to assist clients in obtaining and maintaining stable housing;
• Establish partnerships with landlords, and advocate on behalf of program participants;
• Support the participant to create stability in housing and with eviction prevention;
• Meet with participants in the community and in their homes to assist in the transition to living and integrating in the community;
• Act as an advocate for the needs of the community members of Siloam Mission;
• Maintain participant records in a timely manner, including documentation for discharge;
• Maintain updated housing resources for staff and community members;
• Monitor, evaluate and communicate the progress of participants with the participants themselves, team members and the supervisors on a regular basis.

 EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

• Completion of a health or human service degree such as social work, psychology, counselling, or equivalent years of experience;
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge in mental health and/or addiction field;
• Experience in case management, completing assessments, service planning, and goal setting;

• Experience working in Housing First and an understanding of a variety of housing models including Housing First and Recovery-based;

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/BEHAVIORS

• Good working knowledge of the housing resources available in the community;
• 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 with marginalized individuals;
• Demonstrate maturity and excellent ability to work well in a team and 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;
• Demonstrated knowledge of NVCI, ASIST, CPR/First Aid, Mental Health First Aid training (MHFA), Motivational Interviewing is preferred;
• Must have a valid drivers license and be willing to drive participants to appointments.

RELATIONSHIP

• Report to the Manager of Emergency Shelter and work closely with the manager of Emergency Shelter and Drop-In.
• Work closely with Transition Services, drop-in staff, and emergency shelter staff;
• Work with other departments within Siloam Mission

 WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hours of work are Sunday to Thursday  7:30 am - 4:30 pm 
• Ability to lift items up to 50 lbs
• Work location: 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• May require working alone with community members and visiting them in their homes
• Ability to lift items up to 50 lbs
• Work location: 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Clear Vulnerable Sector Check and Clear Adult Abuse Registry Check will be required.

Closing Date: Nov 4, 2024