Community Support Worker (2022-649-HHS)

Employment Type:

Contract (6-months), Bargaining Unit

Work Hours:

35 hours/week

Salary:

I8 - $30.56/hour

Application Deadline:

Open until filled

Program Overview – WoodGreen Spadina Housing, Housing & Homelessness Services

The WoodGreen Spadina program serves clients with significant mental health challenges who have experienced homelessness. This holistic program also offers case management, community development, trauma and wellness care and coaching, nutritional programming by a Registered Dietician, and hoarding management. The clients live in WoodGreen owned housing small-scale apartment buildings as well as scattered units throughout the City.

What You Will Do

• Perform initial and ongoing needs assessment from a strengths-based client support approach.
• Provide tenant/client support to empower the individual and increase their independence.
• Assist tenant/client to set objectives and plan activities to achieve goals.
• Assist tenant/client to develop necessary skills to live in the community (eg. cooking, housekeeping, budgeting, shopping, leisure planning, etc.).
• Identify deterioration in mental status or in independent functioning of client and take appropriate action.
• Provide crisis prevention, management, and intervention supports including conflict mediation, interpersonal supports, and assistance in illness management.
• Establish and maintain an ongoing flexible and supportive relationship with clients.
• Introduce new tenants to other tenants and staff and to the various committees and activities they can participate in.
• Assist tenant/client to develop a supportive network.
• Provide support and/or assistance, if necessary, when tenant moves in/out of their unit.
• Keep documentation and client files current and updated and collect data as required.
• Document any significant problems, events, changes to services, special needs, etc.
• Apply ethical standards related to provision of community supports.
• Work in collaboration with other WoodGreen staff to ensure the program operates efficiently and effectively.
• Participate and represent the organization at external committees and forums, etc.

What You Bring to the Team

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work required.
• Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
• Minimum five (5) years of solid community experience.
• Related experience in case management, supportive counselling, conflict/crisis mediation and client engagement.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals with mental health, substance use/addiction issues, physical health issues, and/or street involvement.
• Ability to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL) considered a strong asset.
• Effective September 7, 2021, all newly hired employees will be required to provide proof that they have completed an approved course of vaccination against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to commencing employment or provide documentation to support an exemption based on grounds covered by the Ontario Human Rights Act (i.e. Medical exemption).

What Will Set You Apart

• Demonstrated cultural competency with ability to communicate and engage with individuals from diverse, ethno-cultural backgrounds and levels of abilities.
• Strong capacity for multi-tasking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated information and referral skills and ability to work collaboratively with service providers and stakeholders.
• Commitment to a client-centered approach and a demonstrated positive attitude.
• Ability to understand and apply Pshyco-Social Rehab principles and Recovery Model.
• Experience with and ability to apply harm-reduction strategies.
• Solid understanding of the Mental Health Act and the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Exceptional advocacy skills.
• Experience with encourage tenants to set goals.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Self-directed and independent, but also a dynamic team player.