Wabanaki Homelessness Outreach Worker
Program: Wabanaki Homelessness Outreach Services
Organization: John Howard Society of Fredericton
Location: Fredericton, NB, with travel throughout New Brunswick
Employment Type: Full-Time
Wage: $25.75/hr
Reports To: Cultural Lead
Position Summary
The Wabanaki Homelessness Outreach Worker provides culturally safe, trauma-informed, and Indigenous-focused outreach and support to Indigenous individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The position supports individuals with housing, prevention and diversion, advocacy, service navigation, cultural connection, and community reconnection. The worker will build relationships with Indigenous communities, service providers, Elders, housing originations and other community partners to improve access to safe and culturally appropriate supports.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide basic needs support to Indigenous individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Respond to referrals and connect with clients in a timely manner.
- Build trusting rapport using culturally safe, trauma-informed, and client-centred approach.
- Identify immediate needs, housing barriers, and support goals.
- Provide practical support, problem-solving, and service navigation.
- Assist with housing searches, applications, and housing-related documentation.
- Support eviction prevention and housing stabilization.
- Assist individuals with accessing income, healthcare, legal, transportation, and other essential services.
- Support diversion from homelessness when safe and appropriate.
- Help clients navigate housing and community systems.
- Support clients who wish to reconnect with their home communities, family, Elders, or cultural supports.
- Connect clients with Indigenous organizations, Friendship Centres, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural programs, and other culturally relevant services.
- Recognize that returning to a home community may not always be possible, safe, or desired.
- Help clients build meaningful cultural connections where they currently live.
- Attend meetings and appointments with clients when requested.
- Advocate within housing, healthcare, income assistance, legal, correctional, and other systems.
- Develop and maintain strong referral pathways with Indigenous communities and service providers.
- Follow up on referrals and identify service gaps and barriers.
- Build relationships with First Nations communities and Indigenous organizations throughout New Brunswick.
- Participate in community visits, meetings, presentations and outreach activities.
- Develop a strong network of housing, cultural, health, and social service resources.
- Complete client documentation and maintain confidentiality.
- Use HIFIS and other required systems.
- Track referrals, housing outcomes, prevention/diversion interventions, cultural connections, advocacy, and barriers addressed.
- Contribute to program reporting and evaluation.
Qualifications & Experience
- Indigenous identity, lived experience, and connection to a Wabanaki community.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability or complex social needs.
- Understanding of Indigenous communities and culturally safe practice.
- Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-based support.
- Understanding of Indigenous communities and culturally safe practice.
- Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship building skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to maintain confidentially and professional boundaries.
- Valid driver’s licence and ability to travel throughout New Brunswick.
- Experience with HIFIS
- Experience in housing navigation, case management, or social services.
- Knowledge of New Brunswick Indigenous communities and resources.
- Training in trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, harm reduction, or crisis intervention.
Core Competencies
- Cultural safety and humility
- Rapport building
- Advocacy
- Trauma-informed practice
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Organization and documentation
- Collaboration
- Professional boundaries
- Ability to respond calmly to changing or urgent situations
Working Conditions
The position includes office work, community outreach, client appointments, shelter settings, virtual meetings, community visits, and travel throughout New Brunswick. The worker may support individuals experiencing complex or urgent circumstances and will participate in appropriate supervision, team support, and debriefing.
Overall Purpose
The Wabanaki Homelessness Outreach Worker will help reduce Indigenous homelessness by connecting individuals to housing, culturally safe supports, community, advocacy, and practical resources, while strengthening relationships between Indigenous communities and the homelessness service system.
Pay: $25.75 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Work Location: In person
