Social Diversion Support Worker

**Social Diversion Support Worker**

**Job Summary**

As part of the Social Diversion Team, workers will respond to calls to assist individuals, many of whom are homeless or marginally housed, who are in a crisis, often related to intoxication or mental health concerns. Workers must assess situations, identify required needs, and transport individuals to appropriate services.

The key function of this position is to provide support to clients referred by the public or emergency services to the Social Diversion Team. Workers will assist through interventions to divert inappropriate use of medical and police services and support individuals to make appropriate service connections.

The Safe Harbour Social Diversion Team is part of a partnership involving RCMP Non Emergency, AHS Street Connect, partnering agencies and work closely with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Police Services. Collaboration is a key component of this position.

7 Days a week, 7 am - 7 pm, Rotation is 4 days on, 4 days off

**Competencies**
- Client Focus
- Commitment to Health and Safety
- Compassion
- Communication
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Organization
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Time Management

**Job Duties**
- Individuals must have the ability to function in high pressure situations and respond quickly to individuals in crisis
- Conduct risk and needs assessments and safety planning to reduce potential threats and retaliation
- Provide on call crisis intervention by minimizing the harm to individuals and others and assisting the individuals to connect to appropriate supports
- Make appropriate supported referrals to housing, health and community services and provide advocacy support services with individuals
- Operate the Social Diversion Vehicle to provide safe and timely transportation for individuals that be experiencing crisis
- Follow up and coordinate with other service providers to ensure clients are referred to appropriate supports
- Develop and maintain productive working relationships with program partners and other community agencies

**Job Requirements**
- Must have a clean driving abstract and Class 5 license
- Able to solve problems for clients quickly, creatively and ethically
- Understand how to employ de-escalation techniques
- Flexible and adaptable to change
- Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
- Works with initiative, commitment and enthusiasm; physically fit
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint)
- 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

**Work Conditions**
- Occasional physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting
- Attendance of appropriate training and all staff functions.
- Some lifting may be required
- Dealing with a homeless population who may have complex mental health issues
- Unpredictable behavior of homeless clients
- Flexible hours
- High levels of stress and pressure
- Occasional overtime

**Education/Experience/Other requirements**

**Diploma in Social Work, Mental Health & Addictions or Community Support Worker or equivalent**
- Minimum two years working in an Addiction and Mental Health setting
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques
- Experience networking with a range of partners and stakeholders
- Excellent knowledge of poverty-related issues, trends and services, particularly within, but not limited to the Indigenous population
- Successful applicants are required to submit a clear Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of poverty-related issues, trends and services, particularly within, but not limited to the urban Indigenous population

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Schedule:

- 12 hour shift

**Experience**:

- working with people with addictions and mental health: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person