Community Support Worker (2024-491-CC)

Competition: (2024-491-CC)

Position: Community Support Worker

Employment Type: Contract Salary Bargaining Unit (2 Vacancies)

Work Hours: 35 hours/week Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Work Setting: Onsite - Limited opportunities to work remotely

Salary: I: $59,306.06

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025, by 11:59 pm

Program Overview - Relocation Program

The Community Support Worker is a member of the Supportive Housing (SH) Department within Woodgreen Community Services. This position is accountable to the Manager of Housing Supports Services and/or Supervisor of Housing Supports Services.

The Supportive Housing Department provides a variety of housing, community and supports based services to adults & seniors who have struggled with homelessness, mental health and/or addiction related challenges.

This Project/Program will aim to engage and support vulnerable tenants who are at risk of destabilization due to re-development and/or other unexpected events resulting in the loss of their housing.

What You Will Do

• Perform initial and ongoing needs assessment from a strengths-based client support approach.
• Provide case management services including care planning, assessments, personal goal setting, short- and long-term planning, supportive counselling, follow up supports, crisis intervention, care and service coordination, case conferencing and referrals as needed.
• Collaborate with Housing & Financial Empowerment staff to support tenants/clients with strategies to maintain housing, tend to financial structuring of income sources and employment as well as transition planning to support move ins and outs as required.
• 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 (e.g. 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 support including conflict mediation, interpersonal supports, and social resourcing.
• 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. Promote participation in on-site community development programming and tenant engagement initiatives.
• Assist tenant/client to develop a supportive network.
• 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 the provision of community support.
• Participate in team, unit and cross-department meetings and promote healthy functioning of the team and unit.
• Work in collaboration with other WoodGreen staff to ensure the program operates efficiently and effectively.
• Engage in training and education to upgrade skills as directed by Manager to fulfill responsibilities of position.
• Support placement students and volunteers as required.
• Participate in supervisory sessions and annual performance appraisals.
• Participate and represent the organization at external committees and forums, etc.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Support clients with navigating health systems (hospitals, community health centers, primary care).
• Accompany clients as required to appointments that may require therapeutic support.
• General Program Duties:
• Provide service that is responsive and culturally and linguistically sensitive to the individual and caregivers needs.
• Uphold and consistently incorporate into practice harm reduction, trauma-informed, anti-racism and anti-oppressive principles.
• Engage in ongoing outreach to ensure access to the program.
• Keep current about the range of services available in other agencies.
• Stay abreast of current clinical intervention approaches and best/promising practices.
• Provide mentorship, training and/or supervision to student placements and volunteers.
• Maintain a client caseload as assigned by program manager.
• Provide services through home and office visits, emails, phone calls, etc.
• Participate in ongoing training and education.
• Participate in supervision sessions and annual performance appraisals with program manager.
• Collect and report statistical data required for the accountability of the program.
• Complete file documentation and data entry in a timely manner to ensure client information and program activities are accurately captured in accordance with funder and agency requirements and professional practice standards.
• Represent the program/unit on internal staff committees as directed by program manager or unit director.
• Be prepared to work in environments where they might be pest control and hoarding issues.
• Be prepared to work in environments where there may be death and dying.
• Be prepared to work in environments where there may be drug use.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel is required in the community.

What You Bring to the Team

• Bachelor’s degree in Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Related Degree.
• Registered Social Worker (RSW) in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers is an asset.
• Minimum 3 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.

What Will Set You Apart

• Commitment to a client-centered approach and a demonstrated positive attitude.
• 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.
• Experience with and ability to apply Harm Reduction Principles.
• Solid understanding of the Mental Health Act and the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Exceptional advocacy skills.
• Experience encourages tenants to set goals.
• Excellent verbal and written skills.
• Self-directed and independent, but also a dynamic team player.
• Might work in environments where clients use substances or smoke.
• Clients may exhibit responsive behaviours including profanities and expletives.
• Able to lift 40lbs.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at careers@woodgreen.org of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.