Life Skills Worker

**Reports to**: Manager of Supportive Housing **Compensation**:$24.16-$26.27 per hour **Schedule**:12:00pm - 5:00pm Wednesday (no break), and 8:00am - 7:00pm, Thursday to Saturday, (70 Hours bi-weekly) **Union**:BCGEU **Organizational Focus**: Pacifica Housing has been providing safe and affordable homes for almost 35 years. We are a rapidly growing organization dedicated to meeting the housing and support needs of our community. As such, we are committed to building our fast-growing team with a culture that supports our people and reinforces our core values of authenticity, leadership, respect, and social justice. Pacifica is proud to be a Certified Living Wage Employer by The Living Wage for Families Campaign. **About "The Aurora"** The Aurora is the latest addition to the supportive housing buildings that Pacifica Housing operates, providing 39 units to up to 47 program participants. We are looking for creative and empathetic support staff to foster a safe and supportive home for our program participants in the Central Saanich area, and forge community connections within the area. **Position’s Primary Objectives**: The Life Skills Worker is accountable for delivering programs and services to program participants to support their success at Pacifica Housing, including: - Delivering person-centered support services and programs following a “housing first” philosophy to program participants as part of a dedicated team - Following prescribed policies and procedures associated with Property Management - Supporting program participants through a PSR approach - Advocating on behalf of program participants with community agencies - Attending to overdoses and administering naloxone, when required **Key Responsibilities** 1. Provides individualized, person-centred support in a spirit of collaboration and partnership with program participants, including: - Providing life skills training such as meal preparation, house keeping, and personal self management skills; - Providing transition support for program participants moving in or out of supportive housing; - Supporting program participants to participate in the Community Volunteer Program; - Developing and implementing social and recreational programs in collaboration with Housing Support Workers; - Assisting with organizing and decluttering units; - Assisting with case management by identifying potential problems and reporting any difficulties; - Providing input to counsellors and other professionals with regard to the development of appropriate program plans; - Monitoring client mental health and substance use and determining when to recommend additional support; - Recognizing, analyzing and responding to potential emergency situations; - Encouraging and facilitating program participant participation in decision-making regarding housing and support policies and practices; - Contributing to the evaluation of program participants’ progress and preparing related reports; - Providing support to program participants experiencing health issues including end of life support; and - Advocating for program participants who are experiencing oppression, stigmatization and/or discrimination within the community. 2. Performs administrative responsibilities, including: - Maintaining reports such as statistics, logbooks, program participant daily activity records; - Preparing Incident Reports for staff follow-up and for the Health and Safety Committee; and - Assisting in fundraising, public relations campaigns, workshops and special events. 3. Other related duties, including: - Maintaining regular contact with, and providing back-up for team members and other staff as required; and - Participating in community meetings including coordinating individual case conferences. **Requirements**: **_ Note:_**_ An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered_ **Education**: - Training and/or education in a related human/social service field is an asset - Conflict resolution/crisis prevention training and experience is an asset **Experience**: - Recent and related experience preferably in the non-profit housing sector or in a related social service field - Demonstrated experience working with populations impacted by substance use and mental health challenges, homelessness, and/or other barriers to stable housing **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**: - Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model - Demonstrated ability to manage and balance role responsibilities and interpersonal dynamics in a fast paced, high pressure environment - Working knowledge of harm reduction and Housing First theory and practice - Proficient in MS Office programs including Word, Outlook and Excel **Additional Criteria for Role**: - FoodSafe Certification is required. - First Aid Certification is required. - Naloxone administration training is required. - Must have valid driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle with a minimum of $2 million li