Housing Worker, Nihdawin

**_**Indigenous Women are encouraged to apply. First preference will be given to all qualified Indigenous applicants.**_**

**Why make ONWA your career choice?**

**_
Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:_**
- Competitive salaries
- Generous paid vacation time
- Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
- Additional paid stat and civic holidays
- 35 hour work week
- Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.
- Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
- Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
- Paid sick days
- Paid cultural/personal wellness days
- Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
- Ongoing professional development.
- Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses

**VISION**:
At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.

**SCOPE**:
The **Housing Worker** advocates and supports Indigenous people 16 years of age or older who are or are at imminent risk of homelessness throughout the province. Priority is given to Indigenous people who are at a greater risk of losing their children to the child welfare system and or who are at a greater risk of becoming in conflict with the law because of their homelessness.

The Nihdawin Program assists Indigenous people in these circumstances and supports their traditional roles within our culture. The** Housing worker** provides advocacy and support in the areas of housing; maintaining existing housing and finding affordable sustainable housing for Indigenous people, acting as advocates with Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, the court system, schools, landlords and medical services. Nihdawin recognizes the importance of providing wraparound supports and services to attend to the needs of Indigenous people as they strive for personal recovery, to maintain their families and live their best lives.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, indigenous learning, women’s studies with a minimum three (3) years’ work experience in community service delivery.
- Knowledge of housing systems.
- Proven experience in and knowledge of victims’ issues surrounding housing and homelessness, poverty, and addictions.
- Proven experience navigating mental health, addiction, and housing systems on behalf of community members
- Strong communicator - excellent written, oral, and facilitation skills.
- Experience in advocacy with demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous families and/or communities. The ability to speak Ojibway and/or Oji-Cree is an asset.
- Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to create and maintain a confidential, welcoming, friendly, and safe environment for Community Members.
- Knowledge of and relationships with other service agencies, ability to network and create/maintain these relationships.
- Strong organizational/time management skills with an ability to plan ahead to define measurable objectives and outcomes and meet objectives in a timely manner.
- Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
- Working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
- Valid G Class Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate 2-million dollar insurance.
- Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
- A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
- Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
- Ability/willingness to travel and to work flexible hours.
- ONWA is committed on implementing measures to protect its community members, staff, and other stakeholders from COVID-19. As a result, ONWA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Exemptions will be made for those with a valid medical exemption; proof of the exemption will be required