Community Support Worker
Toronto, ON, Canada
Full Time
Housing Services
Mid Level
Employment Type: Full- Time (Permanent)
Department: Housing Services
Union: Included (CUPE Local 2497)
Salary: Level 3- $26.42
File #: 24-HS-33
Posting Date: September 10, 2024
Posting Close: September 24, 2024
The Community Support Worker will be required to work Monday to Friday, from 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM
Position Summary
Reporting to the Manager, Rooming House Project, the Community Support Worker works proactively and responsively with rooming house tenants and the staff team to provide support to tenants with persistent alcohol and drug use to maintain their housing and improve their quality of life.
Duties and Responsibilities
Qualifications
Department: Housing Services
Union: Included (CUPE Local 2497)
Salary: Level 3- $26.42
File #: 24-HS-33
Posting Date: September 10, 2024
Posting Close: September 24, 2024
The Community Support Worker will be required to work Monday to Friday, from 9:00 Am to 5:00 PM
Position Summary
Reporting to the Manager, Rooming House Project, the Community Support Worker works proactively and responsively with rooming house tenants and the staff team to provide support to tenants with persistent alcohol and drug use to maintain their housing and improve their quality of life.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Use harm reduction approach to engage positively, with people who use illicit substances, and other stigmatized populations.
- Builds rapport, provides support and advocates for a diverse range of clients including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges.
- Is grounded while applying sound judgement and using creativity, flexibility and assertiveness to work through often unpredictable situations and emergencies.
- Develop and coordinate several events and weekly programs in consultation with Management and other staff that deliver rich and broad harm reduction programs to build healthier communities and improve well-being of individuals.
- Responds to changeable, and sometimes volatile, behaviours utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques.
- Participate in external partnerships and on internal committees that benefit the community of rooming house tenants and the broader community as required.
- Provide harm reduction materials/supplies to people who use drugs who living in the properties included in the Rooming House Project.
- Provide educational materials on harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, Hep C, etc.
- Provide support for people who use drugs with regards to health promotion, community resources/referrals, and one-on-one counselling.
- Order, stock and maintain needle exchange and other instruments as necessary.
- Assess and assist tenants who use substances to develop an individualized plan of action with short and long-term goals and identified strategies to improve well-being and maintain housing stability, in conjunction with Housing Support Workers.
- Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as medication records, client files and logbooks.
- Arrange for referrals and follow-up appointments and documentation for medical specialists for assigned practitioners.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with local community agencies.
- Participate in case conferences with tenants as needed.
- Provide educational support to tenants regrading emerging and persistent challenges related to substance-use.
- Performs administrative support duties such as answering calls, collating intake packages, taking referrals, and providing program information to clients, other agencies, and the public.
- Provide supportive and lifestyle counselling and crisis management when indicated.
- Arrange and maintain regular and intermittent times for home visits with tenants.
- Accompany tenants to appointments, medical, legal, or otherwise where necessary.
- Advocate on behalf of tenants.
- Inform tenants of their rights and responsibilities.
- Ensure monitoring and data collection of community programs.
- Maintain up to date case notes, progress reports and tenant files.
- Other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Relevant post-secondary degree, certificate, or equivalent work experience in the field Harm Reduction/Mental Health Support (required).
- Degree or diploma in social services or equivalent experience (required).
- Two years related experience in crisis support, substance use issues, mental health and harm reduction and crisis intervention and counseling skills.
- Knowledge of current social issues related to homelessness, mental illness, substance use and harm reduction.
- Demonstrate ability in case management with supportive counseling, strong assessment and in, clinical skills.
- Demonstrated knowledge of community resources including applicable harm reduction resources.
- Demonstrated ability to apply harm reduction principles and strategies.
- Comfortable observing people injecting drugs.
- Excellent advocacy skills and application of therapeutic strategies.
- Strong written and verbal English language communication skills; other languages an asset.
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, DSM IV, and psychiatric medications.
- Knowledge of best practice guidelines for disorders assessment and treatment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of community agencies and their relevant programs and services.
- Self-directed and independent; ability to work effectively as an inter-disciplinary team and in collaboration with other community professionals.
- Ability to exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity to changing client situations and needs.
- Intermediate level of computer literacy utilizing MS Office applications.
- Emergency First Aid & CPR certification an asset.
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention training/certification an asset.
- Must be qualified to work in Canada legally for the employer.
- Able to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening check with a ‘Clear’ or satisfactory result that meets the operational requirements of the Agency.
- Must have up-to-date vaccinations against COVID-19 with a vaccine that has been approved for use in Canada.
Dixon Hall is dedicated to fostering an inclusive selection process and work environment, guided by their Race Relations and Employment Equity Policies. If selected for an interview, please inform the hiring manager or the People and Culture team of any accommodations you may require during the interview process.
To achieve their goal of inclusivity and diversity, Dixon Hall actively seeks exceptional candidates from varied backgrounds and with lived experiences. Individuals who self-identify as being from marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or who have experienced homelessness, are strongly encouraged to apply.
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