Job Ad: Full Time Outreach Worker
At Shelter Nova Scotia we provide places to stay and services to promote stability for marginalized individuals. You will contribute to a community without judgement with spaces and places for people to belong.
About the Program
The Outreach Team meets people who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness where they are - connecting with them in encampments, vehicles, wooded areas, or other locations in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The Outreach Team works with individuals, couples, and families who are primarily living unsheltered. Their focus is to address immediate needs and help connect people to shelter and housing options. Their work is not just about moving people indoors - it’s about making sure no one is forgotten, and that people have opportunities to self-identify the goals they want to pursue.
Requirements
- Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Human Services or a Diploma from a recognized educational institution with relevant experience such as human services, social services, healthcare, or a combination of education and experience is required
- A Valid Drivers License
- Favourable Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check will be required
- Must have Standard First Aid/CPR Level “C” or be willing to acquire within the first 6 months of employment.
- 1 year working in shelter services, homelessness, supportive housing or a similar environment is considered an asset
Hours of Work
40 Hours per week per assigned schedule This is an awake position, staff are required to stay awake, alert, and vigilant at all times while on duty.
Salary
$30.87 per hour
Application Deadline
Monday November 16th, at 8:00am
Benefits
• 3 weeks’ vacation
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Upon completion of probation
Shelter Nova Scotia is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community without judgement. We value people for who they are, the uniqueness they bring and the opportunities to learn from our differences. We welcome applications from members of diverse communities.
Job Description Outreach Worker
Description
Reporting to the Outreach Coordinator, with oversight from the Director of Practice and Development, the Outreach Worker provides community-based outreach support to unsheltered individuals across Halifax Regional Municipality. The Outreach Worker engaged with people in encampments, streets, drop ins and other community settings with a goal of housing focused case management while providing access to some basic living needs. The approach is harm reducing, trauma aware and anti-oppressive.
Responsibilities
Client Service Delivery
- Capacity and willingness to become proficient in the policies, procedures, structure, mission and mandate of Shelter Nova Scotia
- Ability to adhere to a strict policy of confidentiality, code of conduct, policies and procedures
- Proven verbal and written communication skills
- Behave in a calm, professional manner
- Must possess a mature, professional outlook with an ability to experience sound judgement while treating clients with dignity and respect
- Attention to details and organizational skills
- Administrative skills
- Above average interpersonal skills with energy and enthusiasm
- Ability to remain awake, alert, and vigilant at all times while on duty
- Identify and advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, and refer to community programs as appropriate
- Knowledge of the structure and organization of the Opportunities and Social Development and applicable legislation and policies (Employment Support and Income Assistance)
- Develop, maintain, and strengthen relationships with clients, stakeholders and community partners to achieve goals and influence outcomes
- Be knowledgeable about the impact of poverty and homelessness and affordable housing
- Accurately and professionally document notes relating to client interactions and keep other team members up to date on client issues
- Perform First Aid and/or CPR when required
- Maintain client privacy by sharing information only on a need-to-know basis. Protect the confidential information of clients
- Address and resolve conflicts or sensitive situations in a positive and open manner, per established policies and procedures
- Engage regularly and respectfully with clients and respond to queries and requests in a timely, respectful manner
Facility Operation
- This is an outreach and community based position, therefore most duties take place in outdoor, public and private settings, including wooded areas, parks, libraries, etc.
- Vehicles assigned to the Outreach team are Shelter Nova Scotia property and seen as an extension of facility operations. Outreach Workers are required to contribute to their safe and clean operation per the policy manual.
- Outreach Workers are attached to office space, and they are required to contribute to their safe and clean operation.
Action Planning
- Builds trusting, non-judgmental relationships with individuals who may not otherwise access formal supports to increase engagement, safety, trust, and connection to services and supports.
- Conduct street outreach, wellness checks, outreach engagement activities, follow-up contacts, and assessments while monitoring immediate client needs and supporting connection to community services and coordinated access systems.
- Transport and/or accompany clients to service and housing appointments
- Provide solutions-focused care to clients
- Work in partnership with both the private and non-profit sector of the housing market to ensure appropriate placement of clients.
- Work closely with community partners and other services providers/case managers to ensure continuity of care as required (i.e., medical treatment, shelter, housing, etc).
- Complete referrals to the By-Name Database (BND).
- Provide weekly updates at scheduled team check in
- Develop positive working relationships with clients, referral sources, service agencies, and others encountered in the course of work
- Provide community referrals and information about other programs offered
- Contribute to collaborative interactions with clients and practice de-escalation techniques where appropriate and safe to do so
- Respond to crisis situations (environmental events or individual health events), emergency needs, and unpredictable community-based situations by applying independent judgement, de-escalation, conflict resolution, emotional regulation, risk assessment, and problem-solving skills in accordance with established protocols, practice standards, and organizational policies to support participant safety and wellbeing in dynamic and often high-risk environments.
- Facilitate activities required to support and enable Trusteeship
- Responding to and participating in CAS Matching and Referral meetings
- Attend Case Conference and group meetings as needed
- Be an active team player
- Other duties, as required
Admin
- Data entry into HIFIS on a daily-basis to support housing-focusing case management. Information that includes, but is not limited to:
o Client demographics
o Client housing history
o Goods and services referrals
o Case notes/sessions
- Prepare additional HIFIS and other progress and evaluation related reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis
- Compose and keep record of Outreach Incident Reports
- Follow internal program policies and procedures
- Monitor, track, and report credit card spending and eligible travel expenses on a monthly basis.
Occupational Health and Safety
- Be knowledgeable of the Nova Scotia OH&S Act and regulations and abide by same
- Comply with the employee responsibilities as outlined in the Internal Responsibility System for OH&S and cooperating with occupational health and safety initiatives.
- Responsible for following safe work procedures; wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the environment, carry outreach visit bag when conducting site visits, use personal protective and safety equipment as required, etc.
- Reporting any illness or injury immediately to their manager; reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions
Other
- Support volunteer and student placements by modeling professional behavior
- Support new employee orientation and training by assisting with training and knowledge transfer
- Perform other related duties as assigned
- Monitor, track and report petty cash spending on a monthly basis
Working Conditions
- Hours to be negotiated
- Working outside in rain, snow, cold/hot temperatures, etc.
Hazards
- Exposure to hazardous material (e.g. body fluids), sharps (e.g. needles), chemicals and noxious agents (e.g. infectious material)
- Exposure to second-hand smoke is possible
- Hazards associated with working in physical contact with clients with possible exposure to body fluids, infections, and communicable diseases
Mental, Visual and Physical Demand
- Working with clients can often lead to ambiguous situations that are stressful for the employees, management, and guests. Issues encountered are not easily unraveled, and solutions are at times difficult to address and achieve
- High stress environment, requiring sensitivity and confidentiality, and significant degree of visual and mental acuity
- Challenging, fast pace and constantly changing environment, with multiple interruptions and competing demands
Technical Competencies
- Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Human Services or a Diploma from a recognized educational institution with relevant experience such as human services, social services, healthcare, or a combination of education and experience is required
- Certification in the following or the ability to obtain: Standard First Aid/CPR Level “C”; Non-Violent Crisis Intervention; Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST); Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS); Safe Food Handlers certification
- Successfully obtain Child Abuse Registry check and/or Government of Canada Personnel Screening or Criminal Record Check
- Proficiency in Microsoft Applications, including: Word, Excel, Outlook
- Experience with interviewing and intervention techniques is considered an asset
- Knowledge of mental health and addictions is an asset
- Experiences, certifications, and/or training related to outdoor wilderness survival is considered an asset
- 1 year working in shelter services, homelessness, supportive housing or a similar environment is considered an asset
- A valid driver’s license
Hours
40 Hours per week per assigned schedule
