Indigenous Support Worker

Position Title : Indigenous Support Worker

Competition : 24-79

Reports to : Assistant Manager of Community Services

Union : BCGEU

Compensation : $27.39-$29.69 / hour

Schedule : 8 : 30am-4 : 30pm, Monday-Friday (70 hours bi-weekly)

Posting Closing Date : October 18, 2024 at 4pm

Organizational 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

This position provides comprehensive case management services for Indigenous clients & residents who require temporary and on-going support by :

• 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;

As a requirement of the position involves working closely with indigenous clients and residents, preference will be given to qualified candidates who have lived indigenous experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Using a strength-based client centered approach, provide comprehensive temporary and ongoing case development and management services to promote access to housing / long-term housing stability, including :

• 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 :
• access to government agencies;
• substance use;
• rental assistance;
• mental health;
• hoarding;
• family violence;
• 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

2. Collaborate with Resident Services, Community Services and other agencies to support identified individuals and families, address ongoing challenges, assess family safety and maintain / access housing, including :

• 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.

3. Establish and manage successful relationships to advocate on behalf of clients’ to support access to appropriate housing and long-term housing stability, including :

• 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.

4. Maintain case files and perform a variety of other functions to support the successful delivery of Support Services Programming, including :

• 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.
• 5. Provide guidance to team members of different departments from time to time regarding matters related to Indigenous residents / clients to assist in fostering culturally sensitive approaches across the organization;

6. Perform related duties, tasks and projects as required.

Requirements

Note : An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Qualified candidates who have lived indigenous experience will be given preference when filling this role.

Education :

• 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

Experience :

Minimum of one (1) years recent related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• 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

Additional Criteria for Role

• 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.

Behavioural Competencies Assigned to the Role

Core Competencies

Caring : Intermediate

Creative : Intermediate

Responsible : Intermediate

Role-Specific Competencies

Relationship Building : Intermediate

Self-Management : Advanced

Decision Making : Intermediate

Benefits

• 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 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.

Although all qualified candidates from all walks of life and backgrounds will be considered for this position, preference will be given to candidates with lived Indigenous experience in accordance with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code.