Indigenous Support Worker

• Assessing individuals and families identified by Resident Services or Community Services, to provide culturally appropriate supports and referrals to other community agencies where necessary;
• Working collaboratively with Resident Services and the Associate Director of Resident Services to address issues negatively impacting tenancies;
• Working collaboratively with Outreach staff and the Manager of Community Services to support efforts to house clients living rough and in shelters;
• Assisting residents and clients in accessing services to meet their basic needs, such as income assistance, housing, food programs, treatment/recovery programs, education, medical care, and mental health services; and
• Developing and managing client case plans to promote long-term wellness and housing stability;

• Initiating contact, assessing needs and building therapeutic relationships with individuals and families identified by Resident Services/Community Services requiring a variety of supports;
• Identifying resident/client strengths and barriers to housing and housing stability, and assisting residents in addressing challenges;
• Working with individuals and families to become familiar with each individual’s situation and developing an individualized case/service plan including advocating/supporting:

• Facilitating regular support meetings with clients and providing ongoing support based on need;
• Providing or facilitating the provision of training and education for Activities of Daily Living (ADL), life skills, financial literacy etc.;
• Transporting and assisting residents and clients to and from appointments, shopping and other activities, as needed; and
• Providing on-going updates in both oral and written form to the Manager on client case management issues, as well as regularly completing required internal and external reporting

• Accept, assess and review internal referrals with Resident Services Coordinators or Outreach Workers as may be the case and the Manager of Community Services;
• Eviction prevention by working closely with the resident to meet expectations of the RTA
• Communicate and meet with Resident Services/Community Services on a regular basis to update and assess ongoing resident/client needs in written and oral form; and
• Where child and family safety is a factor, meet reporting obligations as indicated by child welfare standards and work collaboratively with outside agencies.
• Independently leading team initiatives, in collaboration with partner agencies, to case coordinate and problem solve.

• Assessing clients for appropriate housing placements;
• Assessing clients’ stability in housing placements through regular and on-going contact;
• Mediating complex issues with other community service providers, stakeholders and clients;
• Coordinating and participating in client move out activities
• Coordinating repairs and remediation of units within guidelines and approved budgets.

• Collecting and maintaining complete records and program statistics as required by BC Housing and other community funders;
• Maintaining concise and accurate client files including current case notes and information about each client’s progress with their respective case plans;
• Representing Pacifica Housing in meetings and professional settings;
• Attending and participating in case conferences, staff meetings, training sessions and workshops as required;
• Assisting in the development and implementation of policies and procedures;
• Contributing to ongoing learning and evaluation processes as required;
• Reviewing, training and overseeing work assignments for practicum students.

• Diploma 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

• Minimum of one (1) years recent related experience

• Previous experience working with the urban Indigenous population
• Must have an in-depth working knowledge of the familial and social issues faced by urban Indigenous peoples, including the inter-generational impact of the residential school system and the 60s scoop, and systemic racism
• Must possess a strong knowledge of Indigenous culture and traditions
• 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
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and be part of an integrated community team
• Knowledge of relevant community resources
• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model, harm reduction principles, 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

• Completion of a Criminal Record Check with the Vulnerable Sector is required before employment commences.
• First Aid Certification is required.
• Naloxone administration training is required.
• Must have valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle with a minimum of $2 million liability ‘business class’ insurance.

• A mission driven and meaningful working environment.

• Competitive salary from a Certified Living Wage Employer.
• Minimum six (6) percent vacation accrual rate for all regular employees
• Excellent benefits package for regular employees (includes extended health and dental, life insurance, and more).
• Competitive BCGEU Pension Plan.
• Employee assistance program.
• Wellness time.
• Career development and internal advancement opportunities.
• Organization and individual training opportunities.
• Robust team building and staff social events.
• Dog friendly offices.

Pacifica Housing