JOB POSTING – Program Worker

Hours: Mon – Fri | Full-Time
Location: 316 Spruce Street South, Timmins ON

Living Space is a low-barrier, co-ed emergency homelessness shelter offering 24/7 supports for those experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. Living Space is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending homelessness by acting as a hub, ensuring that wrap-around services are available to our clients while they transition into sustainable housing. Living Space acts as a community partner, advocating for the removal of systemic barriers which keep people stuck in homelessness and poverty.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Housing Manager, the Program Worker (PW) provides front-line, person-centered services in a non-judgmental, compassionate and responsible manner. The Program Worker engages clients proactively by identifying and removing roadblocks to housing, including legal, financial, and social issues. This position works alongside Team Leads, Volunteers, and Community Partners, advocating low-barrier access to internal and external programs.

Requirements:

·         Paid or unpaid experience working with marginalized individuals.

·         Ability to speak multiple languages; including Cree will be considered an asset.

·         Post-Secondary Education in a related field (i.e. social work, law, public policy) or equivalent education/experience.

·         Proven ability to uphold professional/ethical boundaries and confidentiality.

·         Demonstrated critical thinking skills including strong clinical judgement and conflict resolution skills. Any additional training certificates are considered an asset: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, CPI(Crisis Prevention Institute De-Escalation Skills), ASIST(Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

·         Knowledge and understanding of the complex issues related to addictions, mental illness, poverty, and homelessness, as well as the impact of social/cultural/economic factors on the determinants of health will be considered an asset.

·         Experience with e-reporting and case notes, shift logs and other documentation.

·         Vulnerable Sector Criminal Records Check is required.

·         Living Space has a Vaccination Policy that requires employees to take part in COVID-19 vaccination programs recommended by Public Health.

Core Competencies:

· Experience working in a cross-cultural environment with a trauma-informed focus.

· Experience advocating for marginalized and complex clients.

· Strong understanding of legal issues affecting homeless populations, including local laws and resources related to financial support, legal-aid, and housing rights.

· Experienced Case Management through strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

· Demonstrated ability to work independently in community settings with minimal supervision.

· Demonstrated strong sense of initiative, personal accountability, and dependability.

Specific Duties:

· Engage one-on-one with Clients and writing Case Notes, Incident Reports and Bulletins.

· Coordinate client access to legal-aid and justice services. Track and follow-up on cases to ensure timely assistance. This may include offering support during off-site visits to lawyer, court, banking, appointments, etc.

· Expand client supports by developing educational materials on legal rights and processes related to access to justice, housing, and other identified areas of client need.

· Control keyed access to washrooms/showers and perform regular safety checks (knock/speak/listen) to ensure the safety of Clients.

· Maintaining awareness of your surroundings inside and outside the building, watching for high-tension situations by paying attention to body language, verbal cues.

· Ensure the safety of Living Space property by notifying Team Leads and Joint Health & Safety committee of any damages or safety concerns in a timely manner.

· Enforce site rules and policies following established Best Practices.

· Teamwork focused, assisting in workplace tasks at the discretion of Housing Manager.

· Must be willing to attend paid site-specific training during days off to ensure compliance.

Applications must contain a cover letter and resume, and will be received in confidence by the Human Resources Department via jobs@livingspacehub.org

Disclaimer:

This job posting indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required by the incumbent. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Living Space is committed to equitable recruitment practices and to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from historically marginalized and/or underserved/underrepresented communities, especially individuals who identify with diverse gender and sexual identities (including LGBTQ2+); women; Indigenous/Black/people of colour; people living with disability, HIV and/or other chronic/long-term health conditions; and people with lived experience of mental illness, substance use, trauma, and poverty.

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Pay: From $29.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 hours per week with a daily schedule to be determined in partnership with the Housing Manager.