Encampment Housing Outreach Worker

REPORTS TO: Team Lead, Encampment Response Team (ERT)

HOURS: 7:00AM -3:30PM, Monday to Friday (hours may vary slightly to meet program needs)
- Please note this position is a one year contract with possible extension pending funding*

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

Would you like to be a part of an organization that works with some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable populations and counts on the professionalism, expertise, insight, and passion of its staff to develop programs and services for the clients they work with? Join us at Boyle Street Community Services.

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want - a constant and consistent caring force”

JOB PURPOSE:
The Encampment Housing Outreach Worker works within the Housing First modality, a twelve month intensive case management program targeted towards individuals and families that are chronically homeless and have multiple barriers to permanent housing. This position works specifically with people who reside in encampments and chronically sleep rough throughout Edmonton (including in the river valley/parkland areas).

The Encampment Housing Outreach Worker will be responsible for ensuring that program participants receive appropriate assessment of their housing needs, and will work in partnership with landlords from the public and private sector to ensure that individuals and families find appropriate, safe and affordable housing.

**KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Receive referrals from outreach teams and community partners and connect with those referrals through intensive outreach in the River Valley, parks and other public spaces
- Utilize the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) to ensure clients receive appropriate assessment of their needs and are provided with the assistance and information they need regarding services
- Provide short-term problem-solving, identify and assess supports and referrals needed, and inform the Follow Up Support Worker
- Ensure clients are fully informed of their obligations while in the Housing First Program
- Work in partnership with both the private and non-profit sector of the housing market to ensure appropriate placement of clients, this includes housing searches and viewings
- Ensure that all necessary paper work including (but not limited to) the lease agreement and move in report are completed once housing is secured
- Maintain a close working relationship with Alberta Works and Alberta Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) in order to facilitate a smooth transition into permanent housing
- Facilitate a warm transfer meeting with the Follow Up Support Worker, Team Leader and the participant once the participant is housed
- Maintain accurate comprehensive documentation regarding all interactions with clients and landlords to be in accordance with agency standards, and according to funder requirements
- Support people sleeping rough to move into available bridge housing options

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education**:
**Skills, Abilities and Attitudes**:

- Able to quickly, creatively and ethically solve problems with clients
- Proven ability to work in a respectful and client-centered manner
- Understands how to use de-escalation techniques
- Works with initiative, commitment and enthusiasm; physically fit
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office
- Familiar with entering data into databases, such as the Efforts to Outcomes system
- Able to plan and make decisions in a timely, organized and appropriate manner

**Experience**:

- _Experience in the following areas is essential:_
- Working with Indigenous peoples and individuals from diverse cultures
- Working with marginalized communities
- _The following would be an asset:_
- Knowledge of Housing First programming in Edmonton
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural techniques
- Knowledge of Landlord and Tenant Legislation
- Understanding of current housing market and trends, vacancy rates, and rental amounts
- Local travel on behalf of clients and the agency is required; must have a valid class 5 license, reliable vehicle and clean driver’s abstract
- Criminal record and Child and Youth Information Systems checks are require

This unique position requires team members to walk long distances on rugged terrain, carrying bags with supplies that weigh between 20-25 pounds, in all weather conditions.

Clients, staff and partners are vital members of the Boyle Street team, so we place emphasis on making sure that we address each other correctly. Pronouns are an important part of how we speak about people.

Pronouns might be:
She/Her/Hers

He/Him/His

They/Them/Theirs

And other pronouns that help individuals to express themselves