Aboriginal Homeless Outreach Worker

**“Looking for Passionate Individuals who are willing to extend client-centered care to the members of our Urban Indigenous Community”**:
**About Us**:
The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) is a rapidly growing Indigenous community-based organization, serving BC’s largest urban Indigenous population of children, youth, families & Elders. Our Vision is to build **_a community of strong, healthy, successful Indigenous people connected to each other and to their roots _**by fostering their health & well-being through culturally relevant services, support, and advocacy.

**About Surrey**:
The City of Surrey is one of 21 municipalities in Metro Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. We are located on the Lower Mainland on the south side of the Fraser River and share a border with the United States of America. Surrey is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Salish Peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and Semiahma (Semiahmoo) land-based nations.

**W**hy **FRAFCA**:

- Opportunity to work alongside cultural knowledge keepers & Elders
- Holistic, culturally safe, approaches to serving our clients and community.
- Freedom to share and observe own cultural practices (i.e. smudging in the office)
- Access Work B.C Employers Training grants and other bursaries to fund training & other professional development
- Extended Health Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Travel) and Employee Assistance Plan after 3-months on continuous employment
- 10 annual paid sick/personal leave days
- Paid vacation days (up to 25 days based on years of service)
- Offices located along main transportation routes. Main office by the Skytrain station.
- Parking available on-site

**Y**our **D**uties**:

- Provide client support to our urban Indigenous community;
- Complete intakes, referrals and use the HiFiS data base and VAT tool;
- Provide supports to help clients in obtaining their basic needs such as shelter, recovery homes, transition homes, assistance with medical appointments, housing, employment and personal development;
- Conduct street outreach on a regular basis to inform the community of FRAFCA’s programs and services;
- Provide cultural supports and services to assist in healing for individuals, families, and our urban Indigenous community;
- Have a solid understanding of the historical and current effects of:

- Colonization
- intergenerational and direct effects of residential schools
- homelessness;
- Actively participate in FRAFCA events, such as but not limited to, cultural workshops/youth night, outreach events, NIPD, and homeless counts. This can include evenings and weekends;
- Willingness to participant in OH&S committee for a term certain period;
- Other job-related duties as required.

**Q**ualifications**:
**_Education and Experience:_**
- College Certificate or Diploma in Social Services or relevant equivalent;
- Minimum 1 years’ experience of working with vulnerable individuals/families/a combination of relevant education and experience;
- Previous experience working with the urban Indigenous community;
- Must have a broad-based knowledge of the family and social issues faced by the urban Indigenous people, including the inter-generational impact of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities;
- Must possess knowledge of Aboriginal culture and traditions;
- Current First Aid training;
- Must demonstrate a good working knowledge of community resources in Surrey and surrounding communities, particularly Indigenous-specific resources;
- Must have strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to compile accurate records and prepare reports;
- Must have a personal support system and self care plan in place;
- Experience working independently in a fast-paced environment with competing demands and tight timelines.

**_Key Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:_**
- Sound understanding of available housing, income support and related agency/government assistant programs in Surrey community;
- Demonstrated ability to perform proactive community outreach activities;
- Able to exercise discretion, compassion, and empathy, and maintain confidentiality;
- Able to work independently and utilize sound judgement to perform all assigned duties with mínimal supervision;
- Results focused to meet high standards of performance, able to monitor progress towards goals and adjust plans as required;
- Ability to build organizational trust in his or her own professionalism, integrity, and expertise;
- Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures and traditions and ability to work with culturally diverse people. Familiarity with First nation, Metis and Inuit communities in Surrey and surrounding area, and issues and challenges facing those choosing to move to urban centres, is an asset;
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office software database programs;
- Must pass criminal record check in