Resource Specialist - Housing

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:

The Resource Specialist – Housing position provides support and case management, as well as implements programming, for Centre of Hope residents.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Resident Support/Case Management:

• Welcomes and orients residents to program and services.

• Engages with community support services to determine appropriateness of referral from the perspective of the individual’s need and resource referral criteria.

• Conducts resident intake interviews, assessments, and completes follow-up tasks, as determined

• Responds to community and resident inquiries, providing suggestions/information on appropriate resources and referrals (e.g., funding for housing)

• Provides resident support through several different channels/strategies based on resident needs.

• Signs agreements with residents regarding behaviour concerns, and occupancy fees arrears, as determined by program guidelines

• Provides emergency/crisis intervention and responds accordingly (may involve conflict resolution.)

• Works collaboratively with community agencies to resolve resident concerns.

• Assesses and work with residents to develop SMART goals; participates in resident meetings and progress reviews.

• Researches, creates, and presents information on programs and workshops.

• Attends community agency meetings and workshops, as approved by the Manager

• May participate in case file reviews for Corrections residents.

• May work with Corrections residents.

• May assist at the West Desk/South Desk.

• May pack up and lift resident belongings and engage in recreational activities.

• May facilitate approved groups sessions with residents

Administrative:

• Enters and maintains data base, resident case notes, and other resident records as required, hard or soft copy as required (e.g., referrals, appointments, meetings, etc.); may extract data from database for statistical purposes

• Supports team members in upholding best practices and service to residents and shares learnings and findings.

• Completes designated reporting requirements (including month ends, statistics, learning summaries)

• Completes paperwork as/when required (incident reports, communication book, etc.)

• Performs administrative tasks (i.e., filing, photocopying, email, etc.) that support program objectives and/or as delegated by supervisor

• Attends and participates in meetings/events/committees (internal and external) as required.

• Gathers, shares, and maintains up to date resource information in determined format.

• Supports, orients, and trains volunteers and students as required.

• Reviews information and forms to ensure information is correct and relevant.

• Participates in annual program planning

• May be required to take/prepare meeting minutes

Program Support

• May research, develop, adapt, and facilitate learning/skill building/educational functions including lesson plans, evaluations to meet resident needs (may involve recruitment of outside agencies.)

• May be required to assist with set-up/tear-down of projects, workshops, etc.

• May be required to assist with coordination of donations and supplies.

• May provide support for other position tasks.

• May evaluate programs and services for quality improvement.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a relief position as need and schedule will vary based on the needs.

• Works in an office within a men’s residential shelter facility located downtown at our Centre of Hope location.

• Meets one-on-one with residents

• May have to deal with aggressive and/or disruptive people. Potential of verbal, and less likely physical, attacks.

• May be exposed to infectious diseases

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of a two-year diploma in a related social services or mental health field (i.e., social work, addictions)

• Incumbents with a Social Work diploma or degree must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers

• Satisfactory Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search

• Current Standard First Aid certification with Level A or C CPR from an Alberta approved training provider.

Experience and Knowledge Requirements:

• At least one year of prior related experience in frontline casework with an emphasis on mental health, homelessness, addictions or social services.

• Knowledgeable about and demonstrate understanding of marginalization of the homeless.

• Knowledge of concurrent/co-occurring disorders including mental health diagnosis and treatment resources.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Collaborates effectively to build relationships with residents to support them to increase their strengths.

• Able to help develop and implement service plans and be a strong advocate for residents.

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.

• Responsive to safely resolve crisis situations and respond nonjudgmentally to problematic behaviors.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey information to residents and community partners.

• Able to effectively liaise with a range of service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve services for residents.

• Attentive listening and observation of body language and continuously monitoring the environment.

• Self-motivated, able to work under pressure and manage time effectively, prioritizing work tasks to need.

• Able to multi-task

• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations

• Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, familiarity with databases, as well as keyboarding skills.

• Ability to occasionally pack and lift resident’s belongings and engaging in recreational activities.

• Teamwork to make positive contributions to the team, support and back up co-workers at all times.

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.