Community Development Worker

**Reports to**: Manager of Supportive Housing **Compensation**:$24.16-$26.27 per hour **Schedule**:8:00am - 7:00pm, Sunday to Tuesday, and 12:00pm - 5:00pm Wednesday (no break), (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 Community Development Worker (CDW) is accountable for delivering programs and services to program participants to support their success as 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; and - Attending to overdoses and administering naloxone. **Key Responsibilities** 1. Provides individualized, person-centred support in a spirit of collaboration and partnership with program participants, including: - Liaising and actively planning with community resources including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, mental health and health care practitioners, police and emergency services; - Coordinating referrals to community-based services and programs including education, employment, volunteering and health and wellness services; - Supporting culturally relevant connections, as appropriate; - Attends appointments with program participants, such as medical, psychiatric, counseling etc., where required; - Assisting program participants in accessing income assistance, pension benefits, disability benefits, obtaining ID or establishing a bank account; - Develops and updates a guide to local resources; - Seeks new partnerships with area resources; - 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; - Contributing to the evaluation of program participants’ progress and preparing related reports; 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; - Assisting the Manager with the development of protocols, policies, procedures and/or proposals; 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 Certific