Housing Support Worker

Do you have an understanding of addiction and mental health issues? Do you have knowledge of local resources and services to help clients integrate into the community? The Mustard Seed is seeking a Housing Support Worker._

The Mustard Seed is committed to helping people who are homeless transition toward and maintain sustainable and healthy lifestyles. The Housing Support Worker is a member of a team that provides housing and facilitates support services for 19 high-acuity persons experiencing multiple barriers, who require the support of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH).

The main role of the Housing Support Worker will be to provide case management services, assist clients with daily living skills, connecting to community resources and other day-to-day tasks as needed. The Housing Support worker will work with the Housing team to provide ongoing addiction and mental health support. The Housing Support Worker will be working onsite at the residence with the goal of moving residents toward recovery.

**Position Type**: Permanent, Full-time
**Schedule**: Rotating**:Week 1** - 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m./**Week 2** - 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m./**Week 3** 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
**Reporting to**: Housing Support Supervisor
**Location**: Edmonton
**Number of Positions to be Filled**: 1
**RFR#**: 1000

**MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Meet with clients housed in The Mustard Seed apartment units on an on-going weekly basis.
- Provide ongoing client support with daily living skills, and managing tenancy.
- Provide medication assistance to residents who use the medication assistance program and coordinate with pharmacies as needed.
- Document client interactions, service plans and client progress in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO).
- Provide addiction support through connection to resources and support.
- Act as an advocate to assist clients with accessing community resources and external supports.
- Provide crisis intervention, as necessary using Non-violent Crisis Intervention techniques.
- Provide input into program development and community resources.
- Attend scheduled team meetings and training sessions.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships within The Mustard Seed and with external agencies.
- Active role in community programs and in-house activities.
- Provide programming activities such as games and crafts.

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS**
- A passion to be part of ending homelessness in Alberta.
- Degree/Diploma in Social Work or related Human Services field and two years of related work experience.
- Minimum one year work experience working with those experiencing homelessness; direct experience with Housing First initiatives considered a strong asset.
- Experience with case management is considered a strong asset.
- Knowledge of Edmonton’s community resources.
- Preference given to those with experience working with mental health and/or addictions.
- Demonstrated competency and ability to practice crisis intervention.
- Ability to de-escalate and problem solve with individuals under the influence and/or struggling with a mental health crisis.
- Ability to establish and maintain rapport with culturally diverse clients, including a familiarity with the Indigenous culture.
- Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with clients, members of a team, and community agencies.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- A self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team.
- Ability to accomplish goals with mínimal supervision.
- Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office Programs); experience with Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) an asset.
- Knowledge of FOIP and ability to observe confidentiality standards.
- Valid Class 5 drivers licence, clear 3-year drivers abstract and access to a reliable vehicle with $2,000,000 liability insurance.

**WORKING CONDITIONS**
- The position will require ongoing compassionate care, mínimal physical effort, conflict resolution and organizational ability while working directly with risk population in life recovery.
- This position requires varied mental and emotional effort and must be able to respond appropriately to intense situations and with an understanding that residents may be belligerent or confrontational at times and a calm demeanor is beneficial.
- Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them uttering threats, discriminatory statements, and other insults at your person. This may be a raised voice, or in seeing unpredictable behaviour up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive.
- Training on how to respond is provided, but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments.
- Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them u