Community Service (Housing) Worrker – Full time – Temporary

The Community Service (Housing) Worker is a team member of the Wiseman Centre, a faith-based program, who contributes to the reintegration of clients into the community under the Housing First model.

Illustrative Examples of Work/Expectations

• Assess and prioritize clients’ need for housing assistance intervention and ongoing supports through use of assessment tools as directed by funders and Wiseman Centre management.
• Attend inter-professional case conferences and network with community partners (i.e.: landlords, NLHC, End Homelessness St. John’s, Income Support etc.).
• Deliver presentations on Wiseman Centre services to community partners, in consultation with Shelter Manager.
• Provide education to clients as needed (covering topics such as: “Conducting a Housing Search”, “Eviction Prevention”, “Budgeting”).
• Provide supports and housing-focused case management to shelter clients, including ongoing follow-up in the community after their housing placement.
• Assist clients in conducting housing searches through use of computer resources, connecting them with available landlords and developing daily listings of available accommodations.
• Actively seek out and maintain new landlord relationships; build rapport with landlords and community partners.
• Liaise with various agencies and community partners to identify resources that ensure a smooth transition into community living; advocate for same on behalf of clients.
• Document clients’ ongoing progress in obtaining housing in Wiseman Centre client files and case notes;
• Enter case management notes in HIFIS 4.0.
• Complete reports and maintain statistics as directed by funder, the Supportive Living Program of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (eg HIFIS, SLP Reports).
• Other relevant duties as assigned by management.

Work is performed with considerable independent judgment and initiative under the supervision of the Shelter Manager and Director of Programs and is reviewed through discussions, meetings, observation, and formal evaluations.  Duties performed will complement the work executed by the Liaison Worker and Client Support Worker.

The primary focus of the Community Service Worker is to provide individualized support for clients in securing and maintaining permanent accommodations in a highly competitive housing market.

Completion of a university degree focusing in the area of psychology, special education, social work, or a related field.

• Experience in working with a marginalized population in an empowering community-oriented environment; work experience in a residential program preferred.
• Excellent assessment skills.
• Ability to network with community partners and engage with private landlords in order to advocate on behalf of clients.
• Excellent working knowledge of homelessness and community partners.
• Excellent communication and computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Good interpersonal skills, positive attitude and ability to work in a team setting is essential.
• Ability to provide and accept work direction.
• Ability to understand and maintain client/worker boundaries.
• Ability to work independently.
• Commitment to lifelong learning.
• Must provide a record of a recent Criminal History Check.
• Must have valid CPR/First Aid certificate.
• Valid driver's license required (recent driver’s abstract)
• Non-Violent Crisis Training an asset.

Use of a private vehicle is a condition of employment.