Housing Intake Worker - Jobs in Victoria

Job Description

Position Title: Housing Intake Worker Posting Number: #23-45Reports to: Assistant Manager of Community ServicesCompensation: $26.60-$28.82 per hourSchedule: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (70 hours bi-weekly)Posting Closing Date: March 26, 2024 at 4pmOrganizational Focus:Pacifica Housing has been providing safe and affordable homes for almost 35 years. We are a rapidly growing organization dedicated to meeting the housing and support needs of our community. As such, we are committed to building our fast-growing team with a culture that supports our people and reinforces our core values of authenticity, leadership, respect, and social justice.Pacifica is proud to be a Certified Living Wage Employer by The Living Wage for Families Campaign.Position’s Primary Objectives: As a member of the Downtown Outreach Services (DOHRS) office team, the Housing Intake Workers provide assessment, placement and advocacy services for homeless members of our community and others with multiple barriers to housing. This position also provides a variety of operational support to the Outreach Team as needed/ deemed necessary by the manager and team lead.The position’s goal is to identify housing specific and ancillary needs of clients with the goal of facilitating transition to stable housing by:

• providing a variety of assessment, placement and advocacy services for clients with multiple barriers to housing for the purpose of securing housing placements;
• welcoming clients to the DOHRS office and ensures a safe and comfortable client waiting area/drop-in center and working at the front desk as needed;
• initiating and/or engaging in community development activities to promote the Housing Outreach Program; and
• providing brief and interim coverage support for Community Support Workers caseloads and Landlord Liaison program; operational support for Outreach Services related projects and tasks; interdepartmental support as needed.

Key Responsibilities:1. Provides a range of support services to clients who have multiple barriers to housing, including:

• conducting comprehensive assessments through direct one-to-one consultations with clients;
• providing guidance, crisis intervention, as well as referral services to other community agencies, including application for income assistance;
• providing brokerage and relocation services for clients who are in crisis i.e. those who are disabled, seniors, chronically homeless, addicted and/or who have mental health issues or are fleeing family violence;
• supporting clients by providing educational materials and guidance regarding how to obtain and maintain housing;
• problem-solving and skills training with clients to facilitate securing affordable, adequate, safe housing; and
• providing interim case management services during the period of assessment and placement in housing.

2. Develops and implements strategies to promote the Housing Outreach Program, increase community awareness, change community dynamics and expand support for safe, affordable housing, including:

• providing orientation and training to enrich a practicum student’s placement;
• participating in community based meetings for the purpose of working collaboratively on behalf of homeless clients; and
• supporting and participating in new and existing community and housing development initiatives (i.e. act as a non-partisan community organizer).

3. As a member of the DOHRS team, performs a variety of administrative duties and attends professional development functions, including:

• supporting and participating in agency/association wide initiatives such as public relations presentations, community forums, strategic planning events and information seminars;
• initiating and participating in program and policy assessment;
• attending weekly team meetings to debrief cases, provide and receive peer support, provide up-dates on community status and exchange information on community resources;
• tracking client housing activities and compiling monthly statistical reports;
• maintaining the BC Housing Data Base and all associated processes such as reports and confidential documents;
• participating in producing year-end reports for the Housing Outreach Program; and
• attending pertinent workshops/seminars and conferences.

4. Provide a wide range of operational support, including:

• providing brief and interim coverage support for Community Support Worker caseloads and Landlord liaison program including, but not limited:

• meeting with case management clients;
• taking/transporting clients to appointments, supporting clients with acquiring food;
• supporting moves for clients and physically moving items for clients; and
• supporting absences in the landlord liaison program.

variety of front desk duties:

• welcoming clients to the DOHRS office and ensures a safe and comfortable client waiting area/drop-in centre;
• responding to telephone calls and greeting clients in person upon their arrival at the DOHRS office;
• providing general information regarding housing and other community resources, according to the client’s stated interests/needs;
• assisting clients in completing various documents (BC Housing applications, CAA referrals);
• ensuring safety within the DOHRS office by identifying potentially volatile situations and intervening where appropriate or requesting assistance as needed;
• sorting incoming mail, word processing, monitoring the ordering of office supplies and ensuring the upkeep of the client coffee centre and washroom;
• accepting, processing and approving or denying requests for housing related emergency subsidies, according to established policies; and
• acting as Pacifica Housing’s representative for Victoria’s Homeless Prevention Fund.

RequirementsNote: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.Education:

• Diploma or Bachelor degree in Social Work or Psychology, OR Counselling, Mental Health or Addictions Worker qualifications or other related social services field from college or university.
• Conflict resolution/crisis prevention training and experience required.

Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years recent related experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of addiction, mental health, homelessness and poverty.
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who have multiple barriers to stable housing.
• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model.
• Knowledge of local community resources.
• Awareness of harm reduction and ‘Housing First’ theory and practice.
• Demonstrated conflict management/crisis prevention skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, staff and community professionals.
• Proficient in MS Office programs including Word, Outlook and Excel.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and be part of an integrated community team.

Additional Criteria for Role:

• Completion of a Criminal Record Check is required before employment commences.

• First Aid Certification is required.
• Candidates will be given preference that have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle with a minimum of $2 million liability ‘business class’ insurance.

As Pacifica Housing works with vulnerable populations, We require all staff to successfully clear a Vulnerable Sectors Criminal Record Check run by the Ministry of Justice and to be double vaccinated for COVID 19. Any offer of employment is contingent on the applicant providing proof of criminal record check and vaccination status prior to commencing employment. Please note: While this position is posted externally concurrently, members within the collective bargaining unit will receive first consideration in the appointment. Benefits

• A mission driven and meaningful working environment.

• Competitive salary from a Certified Living Wage Employer.
• Career development and internal advancement opportunities.
• Minimum six (6) percent vacation accrual rate, excellent benefits package and union pension plan for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week (includes extended health and dental, life insurance, and more).
• Wellness time for permanent staff working 20+ hours per week. Or up to 5 paid wellness days a year for casual and temporary employees
• Employee assistance program available to all staff.
• Organization and individual training opportunities.
• Social committee that includes robust team building and staff social events.
• Dog friendly offices.

Pacifica Housing advises all employees, contractors and volunteers of the risk of violence, injury and harm that is present in the execution of their duties. Pacifica Housing is committed to providing a safe and risk-free work place, however, we acknowledge the inherent risk in social housing and direct support work while in homes and in other support relationships.Pacifica celebrates diversity and what makes you uniquely you. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, and diversability.