Outreach Worker

Status: Temporary, Full-time (2 Year Contract)

Wage Range: $33.49 - $35.31

Location: Garibaldi Ridge, Corrections & Community, Maple Ridge, BC

Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am -4:30pm

Job Summary

This position is responsible for outreach activities designed to connect individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with appropriate resources by use of the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation practices and in line with the mission, objectives and policies of Coast Mental Health. The majority of clients this program serves will have been released or will soon be released from custody of corrections. This position operates in close partnership with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS), Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), BC Corrections, and BC Housing.

Breaking the Cycle: Housing First After Custody is a two‑year program with an end date of March 31, 2028. Continuation of services beyond this date is contingent upon renewal of funding through the Reaching Home Foundation. The successful applicant will work in tandem with a team of outreach workers and with a dedicated program manager to deliver culturally safe, strength‑based, and trauma‑informed Housing First services for individuals being released from correctional facilities. The goal of the program is to support individuals who are exiting custody – many of whom are discharged without stable housing – to achieve successful transitions into housing and community integration.

A significant proportion of program participants are Indigenous people who experience compounding risks related to longstanding systemic barriers, including direct experience with homelessness or precarious housing.

Typical duties include

• Initiate and actively participate in the development of viable and effective outreach and Housing First services that address the current and emerging needs of individuals exiting custody.
• Work in partnership with Indigenous‑led and community organizations to support culturally safe service delivery.
• Work closely to help secure housing and other supports for individuals being released from Alouette Correctional Centre for Women, Fraser Correctional Centre, and Surrey Pretrial Services Centre.
• Assist clients with moves.
• Connect individuals with new community resources after moving (labs, doctor, support groups, etc.).
• Work with client support networks to facilitate successful independent living.
• Provide one-to-one support and counseling on life skills and health maintenance.
• Implement crisis management techniques when necessary.
• Participate in appropriate community and public relations regarding the Coast outreach program, including networking with appropriate agencies, publicizing services, and engaging in public presentations.
• Provide input and assist the manager with the planning, development, and evaluation of the outreach program.
• Maintain all relevant records and statistics for both Coast reporting and Reaching Home requirements.
• Fulfill any other responsibilities as assigned.

Job Qualifications * Required Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Service
• Certificates in First Aid + CPR, WHMIS
• Recent, related experience of two years, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience or other qualifications determined to be reasonable and relevant to the level of work
• Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Clearance
• Valid class 5 and access to a vehicle is an asset

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of housing issues and community resources
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation practices
• Knowledge of program policy and procedures
• Knowledge and proficiency in relevant software
• Ability to work with clients living with mental illness
• Ability to work effectively independently and in cooperation with others
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups
• Some knowledge of the criminal justice system

About Coast

Coast Mental Health (Coast) is one of the largest mental health non-profit societies in Canada and operates a large array of innovative housing and community-based rehabilitation services for people with a mental illness living in and around Vancouver. Coast operates in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia providing approximately 1000 people with supportive housing and 4000 clients living in the community with a wide variety of programs and services.

Coast fosters a client-driven, recovery-oriented environment that promotes restoring health, personal growth and a return to society for individuals with a mental illness through advocacy and providing direct programs and services. Coast is deeply invested in cultural safety, reconciliation, and anti-racism. Our employees receive training on cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and inclusive leadership. We strive to reflect the communities we serve and value lived experience alongside professional qualifications.

Why Coast

• We recognize safety as a top priority for the organization.
• We believe in our people and recognize hard work.
• We operate client-centered care under the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.
• We offer a variety of work placement opportunities within the organization.
• We strive to be the best that we can be.
• We hold Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada.
• We have been recognized with numerous awards for our innovative programming.
• We care about our employees, and believe in living our values and culture throughout the organization

Some of the Benefits we Offer

• 100% employer-paid benefits for employees and their families.
• Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Group Life, Massage therapy, Physiotherapy, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies.
• General sick-leave accruals.
• Long-term disability programs. Short-term disability programs available to exempt positions only.
• 5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year.
• 8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program, which includes personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching. In addition, Coast provides a cognitive behavioural therapy program (CBT abilities program) and Headversity for managing a variety of life issues and includes self-paced therapeutic support.

***For any unionized positions, current/internal Coast employees must apply within seven (7) days of the posting date with their internal UKG account (using their Coast email address), in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Current/internal Coast employees who apply to a unionized position using an external account (or email), or after the seven (7) day deadline will be considered an external candidate. In this case, seniority will not be considered.***

Coast Mental Health is committed to creating a culture of diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.