*Please note that this post is for an existing position, covering a 12 month leave. This position requires travel within Hamilton, with the ability to work from home one day per week.
St. Matt's Mission Impact / Role Summary
St. Matt's is a place of hope where families, children and individuals most in need receive help to improve their lives and to increase their capacity to participate in the community.
The HOPES Navigator is responsible for providing 1-on-1 support, and facilitating access to external supports to prevent homelessness among older adults living in poverty and at risk of eviction.
The HOPES Navigator reports to the Supervisor and is responsible for advancing the well-being of the people St. Matt’s serves and providing ongoing social support services for older adults living in poverty. The HOPES Navigator must work with other local service agencies to ensure that the needs of our seniors are being met.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Intensive case management to assist in preventing homelessness across program caseloads
- Working with clients to prevent eviction
- Conducting in-home visits to promote healthy social interaction with clients, as well as provide opportunities to observe and understand client’s living situation
- Develop a service agreement which highlights goals to be achieved, and expectations to achieve success for both the client and HOPES Navigator.
- Identify issues that have contributed to breakdown in previous housing, develop a discharge plan including referring to additional service providers to continue concentrated supports to address the presenting needs of the person
- Support individuals in accessing services that will result in faster housing placements, and refer to additional services such as food banks, seniors services, etc.
- Provide intensive case management to assist with issues that might arise due to new tenancy
- Provide follow up for supports up to 24 months to improve housing retention outcomes (1 month, 3 month, 6 month intervals)
- Carry a caseload of 18-30 individuals
- Function as a member of a collaborative team with staff and other participating agencies and serve as the primary access point for referrals
- Receive direction from the Supervisor, discuss intensive needs of clients and create plan of service
- Collect and maintain individual’s information based on program needs and employer requirements in accordance with the St. Matt’s confidentiality/privacy policy, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) legislation and privacy standards
- Advocate on behalf of individuals and/or support them to advocate for themselves
- Represent the agency in the community and promote the work and needs of St. Matt's
- Comply at all times with the Occupational Health and Safety Act to ensure a safe working environment
- Maintain fluid dialogue with the Supervisor to discuss client issues and resolutions.
- Creating/taking part in inclusive programming and engage in EDI focused community outreach for new St. Matt's initiatives, including new community /municipal partnerships.
- Other duties as reasonably assigned
Skills / Knowledge
Qualifications
- A minimum of 2 years of experience working with seniors in a non-profit organization
- Diploma or degree in social work or gerontology with a special emphasis placed on understanding race, age, income, gender etc. and the intersectionality inherent in vulnerable populations, alongside mental health needs of seniors and the impact of concurrent disorders and substance use, which are barriers to successful placement
- Excellent interpersonal skills necessary to interact and communicate with individuals, other community service providers, professionals, volunteers and members of the community
- Must demonstrate a high level of independence and autonomy
- Problem solving skills necessary for clarifying problems and securing and providing information to seniors
- Knowledge of community resources and services for seniors, as well as knowledge of aging-related impacts on health
- Sound knowledge of and sensitivity to the aging process and needs of seniors
- Ability to work within a team setting, to collaborate, and discuss issues with clients to gather advice, knowledge and support from other members of the team
- Valid Certificate – Standard First Aid with Level C CPR
- Completion of a satisfactory Criminal Reference Check and Vulnerable Sector Screen prior to and throughout employment is required
- Non-violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training for dealing with persons in crisis is an asset
- Fluent in at least one other language is an asset
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required as local travel is necessary.
Mental Effort & Physical Effort
The HOPES Navigator works in an office environment, but the nature of the work will frequently take them to non-standard workplaces – most often to individuals’ homes. The incumbent may experience some risk going into homes where substance use and mental health issues may be present.
There are no extenuating physical requirements for the job. They should be able to lift 4.5 kg (10 lbs.) when carrying groceries to an individual.
St. Matt’s respects, honours, and celebrates the diversity in our community that includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, socio-economic status, class, neurodiversity, and religion. St. Matt’s welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Pay: $22.83 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Education:
Experience:
- working with seniors: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hamilton, ON (Hamilton District)
