Supportive Housing Worker

Job Posting
Supportive Housing Worker
Carling Supportive Housing

TITLE: Full Time Supportive Housing Worker

LOCATION(S): 399 Bell St S, Ottawa

SALARY: From $46,604.27 to $52,554.36 based on experience

HOURS: Full Time, 40-hour work week (35 working hours plus 5 hours allocated to daily half hour paid lunches and unpaid breaks). ) 11pm to 7am Sunday to Thursday.

EMPLOYER: John Howard Society of Ottawa

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit your cover letter and resume through the John Howard Society of Ottawa’s website, under the Careers tab at: https://johnhoward.on.ca/ottawa/careers/

CLOSING DATE: November 23, 2026

About the environment: Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focused on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.

About who we support: Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.

About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal opportunity for success in the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.

About the role: As an Supportive Housing Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a safe, stable, and supportive home environment for individuals who have experienced homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use concerns, and other barriers to housing stability. Working from a harm reduction, person-centred, and trauma-informed approach, you will build meaningful relationships with residents, support their housing goals, and help them connect with community resources that promote wellness, independence, and inclusion. Every day presents an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of people as they work toward greater stability and self-defined success.

Psychological and Physical Risks:

• High Workload and Competing Priorities
• Harassment and Incivility
• Funding and Job Insecurity
• Threat of Physical Harm
• Adverse Psychological Events
• Cumulative Grief and Loss
• Vicarious Trauma
• Secondary Traumatic Stress
• Compassion Fatigue / Empathic Strain
• Emotional Labour
• Boundary Management Strain
• Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards
• Ergonomic Strain
• Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
• Physical Assault or Aggression
• Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens
• Exposure to Infectious Disease and Pests
• Fatigue from Shift Work and Physical Demands
• Lone and Community-Based Work

As the successful candidate, you have:

• Experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use concerns, or other complex social barriers.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, Housing First philosophy, and person-centred support practices.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills that allow you to engage respectfully with diverse populations.
• The ability to de-escalate crisis situations and respond calmly, professionally, and effectively under pressure.
• Experience collaborating with community partners, healthcare providers, emergency services, and social service agencies.
• Sound judgment, strong documentation skills, and the ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• A genuine commitment to dignity, inclusion, equity, and supporting individuals in achieving their personal goals.

You’ll also be prepared to

• Support residents through periods of crisis, instability, or significant life transitions.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, critical incidents, and resident concerns while following agency policies and procedures.
• Facilitate conflict resolution, housing stability plans, life skills development, and community integration activities.
• Maintain accurate case notes, incident reports, and resident documentation.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team while also demonstrating initiative and independence.
• Adapt to evolving resident needs and contribute to a positive, respectful, and welcoming residential community.

You’re a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work:

• You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches.
• Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve.
• Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all.
• You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential
• Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections.

You’re a fit with our organizational culture if you believe:

• In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighbourhoods in order to foster inclusion and empowerment.
• In a person-centred approach, recognizing the value, expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self.
• That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, health promotion and other supports.
• In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability.
• In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation.

We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position- only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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