Reports To: Manager of Housing Services
Department: Housing services
Job Level: Program Support
Core Purpose & Mission Statement
The Core Purpose of the Ottawa Mission is to reflect Jesus’ love in serving the homeless, the hungry, and the lost.
Our Mission is to provide food, shelter, clothing and skills, and offer healing, faith and hope for building a wholesome life
Vision & Values
Our Vision is that all the hurting, hungry and lost in Ottawa find HOPE, HEALING & HOME
Our Values are Faith first, Excellence in All, Respect & Dignity
Position Purpose
Reporting to the Manager of Housing Services, the Shelter Housing Case Manager (SHCM) primarily works with clients who have been in shelter between 30-180 days. The SHCM has an assigned caseload to whom they provide assistance regarding case management, housing searches and stabilization services to support clients in obtaining and securing appropriate housing. The SHCM supports those with high/moderate acuity, through case management and referrals, who are waiting to be matched to Housing Based Case Management (HBCM) or supportive housing. The SHCM will support and provide case management assistance, when needed, in conducting intakes and trying to divert clients from the shelter. This position may also work with low-acuity clients who were not diverted between 1-30 days of shelter day stays. SHCM will triage clients using VI-SPDAT/SPDAT to determine acuity and housing supports/needs.
Major Responsibilities
- Use a line-of-inquiry in order to safely and appropriately divert clients from accessing the shelter. Assist the client to find and connect to alternate arrangements. Refer to other community supports if necessary to secure housing in situations of immediate housing crisis
- Conduct assessments (e.g. VI-SPDAT) of clients to determine individual needs and make appropriate referrals to community-based programs and treatment facilities, including the Ottawa Mission’s services, while maintaining client privacy and confidentiality
- Record in HIFIS, all successful diversion outcomes including return to safe tenancy, as well as updating someone’s Housing History
- Maintain and record accurate, complete, up to date client files and case notes according to established procedures. This includes inputting required information into HIFIS, CRMS, monthly stats, etc.
- Ensure transit pass log is updated on a regular basis
- Ensure workers list is maintained and updated
- Research, identify, evaluate and prepare a list of appropriate agencies or resources (external or internal services) to assist clients with identification, medications, financial or legal assistance, residency, advocacy, and crisis intervention
- Assist low-acuity clients by supporting them in securing a source of income, retrieving proper identification, conducting housing searches and referrals to any appropriate and safe housing that meet the client’s needs
- Build and maintain a relationship of trust with clients
- Build and maintain positive and effective relationships with landlords
- Arrange or provide transportation for clients, to and from appointments, as required
- Accompany clients to key appointments in the community, if needed
- Support clients with their transition into their housing. Assist clients to settle into their new home with the necessary needs, (i.e., furniture, food items, basic living needs, etc.)
- Support clients to become more independent by visiting them in their home and offering help with their individual goals
- Assist clients in becoming self-sufficient
- Identify and conduct follow ups with clients as required
- Ensure ongoing communication with the necessary Mission departments regarding client issues
- Provide support and back-up to colleagues in Housing Services
- Advocate for clients with community agencies, government, or other groups as required
- Participate in client case conferences and/or weekly meetings as required
- Participate in continuing education activities, remaining knowledgeable in area(s) of expertise
- Participating in agency responsibilities including but not limited to: staff meeting, representing the Ottawa Mission at community meetings, safety and security monitoring, and other related duties
- Participate in special assignments or projects as directed by the Manager of Housing Services
- Other related duties as assigned
Other Requirements
Education
- University Degree or College Diploma in Social Work or Social Services
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in the Social Service field
- Experience working with homeless and vulnerable populations
Qualifications
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Awareness of VI-SDPAT/SPDAT
- Knowledge of Housing First
- Knowledge of the Housing Focused framework
- Knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act
- Knowledge of Case Management approaches
- Professional and excellent oral and written communication skills
- Must be able to time manage, be organized, empathetic, client-centered, compassionate, open-minded, non-judgmental, assertive, patient and respectful.
- Ability to work from a strength-based approach
- Strong skills in critical thinking, decision making and analysis
- Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
- Ability to work independently
- Certified/trained in First Aid CPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, ASIST and Mental Health First Aid an asset
- Bilingualism (French/English) an asset
- Possess a Valid “G” driver’s license and a clean abstract
Working Conditions
- Work Hours are Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday- Saturday mostly 8 AM -4 PM with one late evening shift and the ability to be flexible to adjust working hours if need be
- Must work to, sometimes strident, deadlines, manage and respond to competing priorities
- Must be comfortable driving a company vehicle, e.g. passenger van, or cargo van
- Be capable and able to help clients move into their apartments by doing some of the following tasks: driving clients to appointments, lifting furniture, moving furniture, etc.
- Must be comfortable working in a challenging environment that has the potential for confrontation and/or exposure to violence
- Primarily Office Setting
We thank all applicants for their interest in The Ottawa Mission, however, due to the volume of resumés we receive, only those selected for interview will be contacted.
ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST, FOR ALL APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
THE OTTAWA MISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Pay: $59,265.00-$67,729.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site gym
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
