Relief Resource Specialist - Housing

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:

The Resource Specialist – Housing position provides support and case management, as well as implements programming, for Centre of Hope residents.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Resident Support/Case Management:

• Welcomes and orients residents to program and services.

• Engages with community support services to determine appropriateness of referral from the perspective of the individual’s need and resource referral criteria.

• Conducts resident intake interviews, assessments, and completes follow-up tasks, as determined

• Responds to community and resident inquiries, providing suggestions/information on appropriate resources and referrals (e.g., funding for housing)

• Provides resident support through several different channels/strategies based on resident needs.

• Signs agreements with residents regarding behaviour concerns, and occupancy fees arrears, as determined by program guidelines

• Provides emergency/crisis intervention and responds accordingly (may involve conflict resolution.)

• Works collaboratively with community agencies to resolve resident concerns.

• Assesses and work with residents to develop SMART goals; participates in resident meetings and progress reviews.

• Researches, creates, and presents information on programs and workshops.

• Attends community agency meetings and workshops, as approved by the Manager

• May participate in case file reviews for Corrections residents.

• May work with Corrections residents.

• May assist at the West Desk/South Desk.

• May pack up and lift resident belongings and engage in recreational activities.

• May facilitate approved groups sessions with residents

Administrative:

• Enters and maintains data base, resident case notes, and other resident records as required, hard or soft copy as required (e.g., referrals, appointments, meetings, etc.); may extract data from database for statistical purposes

• Supports team members in upholding best practices and service to residents and shares learnings and findings.

• Completes designated reporting requirements (including month ends, statistics, learning summaries)

• Completes paperwork as/when required (incident reports, communication book, etc.)

• Performs administrative tasks (i.e., filing, photocopying, email, etc.) that support program objectives and/or as delegated by supervisor

• Attends and participates in meetings/events/committees (internal and external) as required.

• Gathers, shares, and maintains up to date resource information in determined format.

• Supports, orients, and trains volunteers and students as required.

• Reviews information and forms to ensure information is correct and relevant.

• Participates in annual program planning

• May be required to take/prepare meeting minutes

Program Support

• May research, develop, adapt, and facilitate learning/skill building/educational functions including lesson plans, evaluations to meet resident needs (may involve recruitment of outside agencies.)

• May be required to assist with set-up/tear-down of projects, workshops, etc.

• May be required to assist with coordination of donations and supplies.

• May provide support for other position tasks.

• May evaluate programs and services for quality improvement.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a relief position as need and schedule will vary based on the needs.

• Works in an office within a men’s residential shelter facility located downtown at our Centre of Hope location.

• Meets one-on-one with residents

• May have to deal with aggressive and/or disruptive people. Potential of verbal, and less likely physical, attacks.

• May be exposed to infectious diseases

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of a two-year diploma in a related social services or mental health field (i.e., social work, addictions)

• Incumbents with a Social Work diploma or degree must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers

• Satisfactory Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search

• Current Standard First Aid certification with Level A or C CPR from an Alberta approved training provider.

Experience and Knowledge Requirements:

• At least one year of prior related experience in frontline casework with an emphasis on mental health, homelessness, addictions or social services.

• Knowledgeable about and demonstrate understanding of marginalization of the homeless.

• Knowledge of concurrent/co-occurring disorders including mental health diagnosis and treatment resources.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Collaborates effectively to build relationships with residents to support them to increase their strengths.

• Able to help develop and implement service plans and be a strong advocate for residents.

• Attention to detail, problem solving and analytical skills.

• Responsive to safely resolve crisis situations and respond nonjudgmentally to problematic behaviors.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey information to residents and community partners.

• Able to effectively liaise with a range of service providers or agencies to establish and/or improve services for residents.

• Attentive listening and observation of body language and continuously monitoring the environment.

• Self-motivated, able to work under pressure and manage time effectively, prioritizing work tasks to need.

• Able to multi-task

• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations

• Computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, familiarity with databases, as well as keyboarding skills.

• Ability to occasionally pack and lift resident’s belongings and engaging in recreational activities.

• Teamwork to make positive contributions to the team, support and back up co-workers at all times.

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $25.39 to $31.73 with a maximum of $38.08.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected]if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.