CharityVillage

Competition: (2024-491-CC): Community Support Worker
Employment Type: Contract Salary Bargaining Unit (2 Vacancies)
Work Hours: 35 hours/week Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Work Setting: Onsite - Limited opportunities to work remotely
Salary: I: $59,306.06
Application Deadline:December 23, 2024, by 11:59 pm

Program Overview - Relocation Program
The Community Support Worker is a member of the Supportive Housing (SH) Department within Woodgreen Community Services. This position is accountable to the Manager of Housing Supports Services and/or Supervisor of Housing Supports Services.

The Supportive Housing Department provides a variety of housing, community and supports based services to adults & seniors who have struggled with homelessness, mental health and/or addiction related challenges.
 
This Project/Program will aim to engage and support vulnerable tenants with whom are at risk of destabilization due to re-development and/or other unexpected events resulting in the loss of their housing. 

What You Will Do

• Perform initial and ongoing needs assessment from a strengths-based client support approach
• Provide case management services including care planning, assessments, personal goal setting, short- and long-term planning, supportive counselling, follow up supports, crisis intervention, care and service coordination, case conferencing and referrals as needed
• Collaborate with Housing & Financial Empowerment staff to support tenants/clients with strategies to maintain housing, tend to financial structuring of income sources and employment as well as transition planning to support move ins and outs as required.
• Provide tenant/client support to empower the individual and increase their independence.
• Assist tenant/client to set objectives and plan activities to achieve goals.
• Assist tenant/client to develop necessary skills to live in the community (e.g. cooking, housekeeping, budgeting, shopping, leisure planning, etc.).
• Identify deterioration in mental status or in independent functioning of client and take appropriate action.
• Provide crisis prevention, management, and intervention support including conflict mediation, interpersonal supports, and social resourcing.
• Establish and maintain an ongoing flexible and supportive relationship with clients.
• Introduce new tenants to other tenants and staff and to the various committees and activities they can participate in. Promote participation in on site community development programming and tenant engagement initiatives.
• Assist tenant/client to develop a supportive network.
• Keep documentation and client files current and updated and collect data as required.
• Document any significant problems, events, changes to services, special needs, etc.
• Apply ethical standards related to the provision of community support.
• Participate in team, unit and cross department meetings and promote healthy functioning of the team and unit.
• Work in collaboration with other WoodGreen staff to ensure the program operates efficiently and effectively.
• Engage in training and education to upgrade skills as directed by Manager to fulfill responsibilities of position.
• Support placement students and volunteers as required.
• Participate in supervisory sessions and annual performance appraisals.
• Participate and represent the organization at external committees and forums, etc.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Support clients with navigating health systems (hospitals, community health centers, primary care)
• Accompany clients as required to appointments that may require therapeutic support.General Program Duties:
• Provide service that is responsive and culturally and linguistically sensitive to the individual and caregivers needs.
• Uphold and consistently incorporate into practice harm reduction, trauma-informed, anti-racism and anti-oppressive principles.
• Engage in ongoing outreach to ensure access to the program.
• Keep current about the range of services available in other agencies.
• Stay abreast of current clinical intervention approaches and best/promising practices.
• Provide mentorship, training and/or supervision to student placements and volunteers.
• Maintain a client caseload as assigned by program manager.
• Provide services through home and office visits, emails, phone calls, etc.
• Participate in ongoing training and education.
• Participate in supervision sessions and annual performance appraisals with program manager.
• Collect and report statistical data required for the accountability of the program.
• Complete file documentation and data entry in a timely manner to ensure client information and program activities are accurately captured in accordance with funder and agency requirements and professional practice standards.
• Represent the program/unit on internal staff committees as directed by program manager or unit director.
• Be prepared to work in environments where they might be pest control and hoarding issues
• Be prepared to work in environments where there may be death and dying
• Be prepared to work in environments where there may be drug use
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Travel is required in the community

• Bachelor’s degree in Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Related Degree.
• Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of solid community experience.
• Related experience in case management, supportive counselling, conflict/crisis mediation and client engagement.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals with mental health, substance use/addiction issues, physical health issues, and/or street involvement.

• Commitment to a client-centered approach and a demonstrated positive attitude.
• Demonstrated cultural competency with ability to communicate and engage with individuals from diverse, ethno-cultural backgrounds and levels of abilities.
• Strong capacity for multi-tasking, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated information and referral skills and ability to work collaboratively with service providers and stakeholders.
• Experience with and ability to apply Harm Reduction Principles
• Solid understanding of the Mental Health Act and the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Exceptional advocacy skills.
• Experience encourages tenants to set goals.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Self-directed and independent, but also a dynamic team player.
• Might work in environments where clients use substances or smoke.
• Clients may exhibit responsive behaviours including profanities and expletives.  
• Able to lift 40lbs.