POSITION TITLE: Support Worker
PROGRAM: Chilliwack Yale Modular Housing
UNION: BCGEU
SALARY: $26.42/hour (BCGEU grid 34) + $2.50/hour as a premium for overnight shifts.
TYPE: Casual Relief.
SCHEDULE: This is a casual relief position. Casuals will be called in to work to cover vacancies as they arise. Our programs run 24/7 365 days a year. We offer day, evening and over night shifts which are generally 8 hours in length.
START DATE: As soon as possible
To apply please include your resume, with a cover letter describing your suitability for this position, in an email with the subject line of “job2023.049” to: Jassi Malhi at jmalhi@raincityhousing.org
ABOUT US
RainCity Housing is an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives. With a goal of providing a home for everyone, RainCity’s programs sustain relationships, strengthen communities and make change for people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues. We invite you to be a part of the change.
DIVERSITY
RainCity Housing serves a diverse group of people and we need a staff group that reflects the diversity. People of diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Support Worker provides a range of supports, serving homeless/at risk individuals, many of whom are living with mental illness, substance use and/or HIV. Using a strengths-based model, the Support Worker participates with tenants in the development and implementation of service plans, including: assessment; goal setting, service planning for BIPOC tenants, achievement and review; resource acquisition; and monitoring in the areas of daily living, financial, vocational/educational, social supports, health, harm reduction, culture, recovery and leisure/recreational supports. The Support Worker works closely and collaboratively with other direct service staff works closely and collaboratively with other direct service staff, including ICL staff to hold space for cultural perspectives/knowledge and Indigenous-led and informed service planning, family and external service providers, advocating for access and rights as needed. The Support Worker also provides daily supports including medication administration, building security, crisis intervention, health and recreational groups and general problem solving.
Reports to: Program Manager
PROGRAM SUMMARY
Opening in Spring 2019, the Chilliwack Yale site is RainCity Housing’s first modular supported housing facility in Chilliwack. It is located at 45944 Yale Road and will provide 46 units of single room occupancy (SRO) housing to low-income individuals 19 years of age or older who live in the community, have a history of homelessness and who need additional support services to maintain housing. This supported housing program will be staffed by a combination of support workers, including an Indigenous Cultural Support Worker and a Peer Services Support Worker. The support workers oversee the front desk, assisting with program area upkeep, managing guests and providing community supports. The building will also have custodial, home support and facilities management staff.
Each unit will contain a private bathroom with toilet, shower and sink, as well as a kitchenette. The building will have 24 hour/ 7 day a week staffing, with a minimum of two staff working on site to maintain the building, deliver programs, support tenants and ensure a safe environment within the building. The program includes one meal a day, with kitchen facilities and a cook to prepare the dinner meal.
QUALIFICATIONS
Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness; Minimum education and experience includes:
- A Diploma in community social services
- Two years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services
- Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
- Current First Aid and CPR certification; Naloxone Certification
Skills and Abilities – for supporting people receiving our services
- Establish a dignifying and purposeful relationship with the client, contacting and getting to know the client as a unique individual, and clarifying the role of the PSS and client in the service planning process
- Ability to identify and work to increase client strengths, including the use of hope inducing strategies and assisting the client in self-managing their illness and other aspects of their life
- Work collaboratively with ICL staff including Indigenous-led and informed Services Planning
- Work collaboratively with BIPOC staff on case planning for BIPOC people
- Informally teach harm reduction, life skills
- Respond to problematic behavior using an understanding of the behaviour’s context and function
- Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals
- Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources
- Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction
- Knowledge of diagnoses, treatment, and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, HIV and Hepatitis C
- Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and program models for special needs populations
- Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization as related to chronically homeless individuals
- Ability to effectively and safely resolve crisis situations
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to establish workload priorities, adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with conflict situations
- Physical ability to perform the duties of the position