Supportive Housing Client Relations Liaison

**Employment Opportunity**: Supportive Housing Client Relations Liaison (Casual)

**Location**: Waverley, NS

**Salary Range**: $22.00/ hour

**Employment Term**: Casual ongoing

**Reports To**: Transitional Housing Coordinator

**General Description**:
Sage House is a newly developed housing facility, created and operated by the MNFC, and we are looking to hire Supportive Housing Client Relations Liaisons to work shifts on a casual basis**.** Sage House is a newly renovated supportive housing complex, located in Waverly, NS. Sage House will offer culturally appropriate programming and residence to urban Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, trans and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and who are transitioning from unstable or unsafe housing situations to supportive temporary housing. The purpose of Sage House is to provide clients with a safe and culturally rich living environment. Safety is of the utmost importance in offering supports at Sage House.

This role will require strict confidentiality, strong boundaries and crisis management skills. The Supportive Housing Client Relations Liaisons will work with residents to establish plans for long-term housing and stability using a client-centred model of practice that is anti-oppressive, decolonized and trauma-informed. Indigenous clients with complex needs may experience a variety of barriers when trying to access and maintain housing and other services including physical health, mental health, and substance use challenges and varying levels of abilities and life skills.

Sage House will connect its clients with the wrap around supports and community involvement that is necessary for them to progress through their healing journey. Individual needs and situations will be assessed to determine what referrals, resources and teachings are required to regain housing stability. The Supportive Housing Client Relations Liaisons will provide 24/7 in-person support to the Sage House clients, and assist with programming, reporting, and the daily operations of the facility. This job description will change as the workplace changes.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Ensure the program delivery is congruent with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s mission, vision and philosophy.
- Ensure a positive, healthy, safe, and culturally vibrant work environment is maintained in accordance with all applicable Sage House policies, legislature, and regulations.
- Carry out the daily operations of Sage House, and assist clients in following the daily schedule (mealtimes, laundry access, quiet hours, etc)
- Assist the Intensive Case Manager and Transitional Housing Coordinator in helping clients work towards and accomplish personal goals.
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive documentation regarding all interactions with clients.
- Utilize, maintain, and input client information into the MNFC Database and HIFIS.
- Ensure that clients are fully informed of all programs of MNFC and the appropriate referral processes.
- Advocate for client’s rights at an individual and broader systemic level when required.
- Practice and maintain a positive leadership role; lead by example with non-judgemental, client-centred and trauma-informed support.
- Develop and implement cultural and communal activities for clients, and take initiative in making Sage House a comfortable, participatory environment for the clients.
- Assist in program facilitation and encourage client participation and collaboration.
- Aid and support to clients during difficult and crisis situations.
- Perform regular rounds during the evening shifts to ensure client and facility safety.
- Ensure that all interactions with clients are carried out in a safe, dignified, and unobtrusive manner.
- Help clients to navigate and access social services, health care, financial assistance, cultural resources, Elder services, etc.
- Maintain confidentiality, privacy and clear boundaries.
- Attend and participate in professional development opportunities as required.
- Work collaboratively with staff to achieve desired excellent service and outcomes.
- Identify and evaluate potential safety, cultural, and health-related risks to clients, staff, property, finances, and the image of Sage House; implement measures to control these risks.
- May perform other related duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**:
**_Diploma/Certification in community social services or social work; or education in mental health and addictions._**

**_Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience; or adequate combinations of education and experience._**

**_Experience working with Indigenous populations and comprehensive cultural knowledge considered an asset._**

**_Previous experience in mental health, working with alcohol/substance dependency and vulnerable people, considered an asset._**

**_Comprehensive understanding of Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBTQQIA+ issues, poverty, homelessness and their root causes._**

**_Comprehensive