Homeless Outreach Worker

**Homeless Outreach Worker**
**CMHA NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER (5 days/week)**
- Our vision: Mentally healthy people in a healthy society_

**Specific Duties and Responsibilities**
- Connect with people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness to provide housing search services and links to community resources.
- Build trust and rapport with clients while respecting their privacy and autonomy
- Lead and support clients to access income (Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Income Assistance, and Persons with Disability).
- Educates, informs and advocates for clients regarding benefits and entitlements (social assistance, rental subsidies, employment supports, low-income services i.e. food bank and food stamps)
- Build partnerships with appropriate community supports including government, the Shelter, mental health services etc. to build awareness of the program as well as to facilitate supports for clients
- Providing outreach, case management, counseling, advocacy, and other needed services to clients in any environment including: the streets, shelters, hospitals, institutions, apartments, and office
- Coordinate and train volunteers, as appropriate, to support program goals within agency’s current framework for volunteer recruitment
- Assist with required program statistical documentation and distribution including daily updating of BC Housing database
- Attend all regional and partnerships meetings, and training as required
- Creates, builds, and fosters partnerships with housing providers and landlords
- Facilitates client attendance at appointments, programs, and services including escorting or accompanying client to appointments, and for shopping and leisure activities, including driving a vehicle. Participates in and supervises social and recreational activities as required.
- Documents client progress to maintain permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
- Consults and works cooperatively with community agencies and families to maintain coordination in the service and treatment process.

**Qualifications**
- 2+ years of experience supporting adults with mental illness, addiction, poverty and homelessness with a diploma or Degree in Social Services and/or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience*.

*_We are looking for experience in the social services sector particularly, working with federal or provincial clients; acquired knowledge of the continuum of housing and barriers to accessing safe and affordable rental markets; and serving socially marginalized or disadvantaged populations with complex and multifaceted needs. Sensitivity to clients with Aboriginal ancestry and disabilities._
- Valid First Aid and CPR
- Criminal Record Check is a condition of employment
- Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
- De-escalation training and indigenous cultural competency training are recommended

**Skills and Abilities**
- Experience working with people with mental health and/or addictions issues as well as familiarity with “the street”
- Knowledge of harm reduction principles, crisis prevention and intervention and conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
- Ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment wit community partners.
- Trained in Naloxone administration and know the signs of a drug overdose
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Teamwork and leadership skills

**Salary**: $25.00-$26.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Evenings
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

- North Vancouver, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location