Outreach: Encampment

Position is scheduled from Monday to Thursday, with 10-hour workdays. Start times rotate between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

Position Summary:
Alpha House’s Encampment Team is a mobile response program.

The main activities of the program include locating, connecting, and providing supports to individuals and couples who rough sleep and are either unconnected to the Shelter system or are infrequent users. The primary goal is to support individuals with experiences of chronic homelessness who rough sleep to obtain and maintain housing stability through two main routes. This position entails a great deal of driving as well as working in rough terrain, through all weather conditions, both in the daylight and dark.

**Responsibilities**:

- Act in a professional, non-judgmental, empathetic and caring manner with clients, treating them with dignity and respect
- Conduct community sweeps, engage with clients, who may not otherwise seek out services, in campsites, in the bushes and other out of the way areas
- Using independent thinking and sound decision making, assist clients in meeting their needs, especially in inclement weather
- Advocating on behalf of the client and working with partner agencies, both in social services and housing
- Daily driving of an Agency Van, transporting clients when appropriate.
- Provides immediate response to distress or crisis situations
- Conduct and complete housing assessments with clients (NSQ’s)
- Provides an ethical, efficient and responsible with staff and clients alike
- Provides support services (as required), to clients who present a unique and often different set of values, behaviors and challenges.
- Role model Alpha House’s value’s and be a positive ambassador when interacting with the public, partners and businesses
- Provides educational sessions as requested as well as liaising with community partners
- Conduct administrative tasks including preparing reports, case notes and daily stats
- Works a part of collaborative team in support of each other and the agencies mission, including assisting in training new staff
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and the ability to reference them from appropriate sources
- Ensures compliance with all regulatory standards (Act, Laws and Policies) including but not limited to maintaining confidentiality at all times.

Required Qualifications
- A 2-year Diploma or a Degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Health Sciences or related from a publicly funded post secondary educational institution. Those in progress may be considered
- 1-year experience with conducting client assessments and/or case management
- Experience in Crisis Counseling and/or Outreach work, working with vulnerable populations and a desire to work with socially disadvantaged people
- An understanding of addictions including: withdrawal management, harm reduction, stages of change, trauma informed-care, crisis management and crisis counseling, and impact of mental health issues.
- Must be tolerant, non-judgmental with a high degree of compassion and empathy towards the homeless and those struggling with addictions and or mental health
- Proven crisis management, problem solving skills, rapport-building and advocacy skills
- Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to communicate showing respect and dignity as well as with discretion and maintain confidentiality of clients
- Team player with strong oral and written English communication skills
- Resourceful and knowledge of Community Development.
- Understanding of issues related to mental health and addictions
- An open, accepting attitude with the ability to read situations and respond appropriately
- An understanding and appreciation of the Protection of Persons in Care Act

Position Requirements
- Provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID
- Steel-toed foot wear
- Class 5 drivers license (non-GDL) and willingness and ability to obtain a Class 4 within 45 days
- Be able to physically assist clients from prone to sitting or standing, and vice versa;
- Be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, as well as hiking through rough terrain
- Able to provide a Vulnerable Sector Search, valid within the last six months, that does not contain any results material to the position
- FOIP Certification
- “It’s your Move” training, or equivalent Patient Lift training
- Computer literacy, including effective working skills in MS Word, Excel and Outlook
- Be able to work early mornings, days and late evenings