Out of the Cold Community Association Jobs | Resident Support Worker – Casual Job Employment In Halifax, NS

Population Served: OTC Community Association provides low barrier, people-centered support rooted in anti-oppressive & harm reduction practices. We support individuals (16+) and couples of all genders who are unhoused or precariously housed and who experience a variety of barriers to housing including poverty, criminalization, racism, homophobia, transphobia, food insecurity, inadequate access to physical & mental health supports, alcohol & substance use challenges and varying levels of ability and life skills.

The Resident Support Worker (Casual) is responsible for providing services that are high quality, consistent, and in accordance with OTC’s policies and values. All Staff are responsible for supporting individuals in meeting their basic needs, maintaining their stay and ensuring that Public Health recommendations and OTC protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic are being followed.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager and/or the Executive Director, the Resident Support Worker (Casual) is responsible for actively engaging in support of residents and in the oversight and implementation of OTC’s Shelter and Supported Housing programming, in alignment with the policies and values of OTC.

• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with individuals supported by OTC’s programs and services.

• Maintains healthy boundaries with both residents and colleagues.

• Ensures that all interactions are carried out in a culturally responsive, safe, dignified, and unobtrusive manner

• Provides support to individuals during periods of dysregulation, while in crisis and while under the influence of alcohol or substances. Supports de-escalation and the ongoing process of the development of residents’ own conflict resolution strategies and skills. Supports resident debriefing as needed.

• Supports residents in maintaining their housing and in upholding their responsibilities as collectively agreed upon for the space. Upholds staff responsibilities to residents as collectively agreed upon for the space.

• Adheres to the protocols and practises as outlined in the most up to date OTC document COVID Protocols and supports residents, guests, volunteers and colleagues in doing so as well.

• Ensures that support is confidential and that information is not shared unnecessarily or without the individual’s informed consent. All paperwork relevant to confidentiality is organized, as complete as possible, and in a secured location that is accessible to appropriate staff.

• Participates in maintenance of resident and program documentation, as well as clear written and verbal communication of pertinent information to the staff team, Program Manager and Executive Director as required. Is current in their understanding of all relevant resident and program information as communicated by the staff team, Program Manager and Executive Director.

• Responds to requests for support and referrals from individuals from the community at the door, on the phone and online. Documents all requests for service and the support provided.

• Maintains accurate records, updating individual’s information and pertinent communication notes

• Maintain statistical information. Updates individual’s information in OTC’s electronic database & HIFIS as required.

• Engages in the maintenance of a clean and healthy living and working environment in collaboration with the Household Coordinator and members of the staff team. Completes laundry and other specific household tasks found on the Resident Support Staff Checklist.

• Informs Household Coordinator and/or Executive Director of any issues with the building. Provides a written report for submission for the OH&S meeting as required.

• Participates in meal prep for next day’s meals as needed, under the direction of the Household Coordinator.

• Monitors the space for security and safety. Conducts regular checks of all fire exits, common spaces, sleeping spaces and outdoor spaces. Operates the security system and monitors entrances and exits from the building during the overnight.

• Works diligently within the staff team to foster positive relationships within OTC and wider communities while supporting residents in doing the same. Takes special care to support residents in respecting the neighbours need for quiet outside during night time hours.

• Follows the program plan left for the casual staff team Responsible for organization of materials, space used, clean up, program evaluation and any required follow-up with residents.

• Participates in both individual and group evaluations to ensure programming quality and the support of residents’ self identified needs and goals.

• Provides relevant feedback by email to staff facilitating the bi-weekly communal living meetings and bi-weekly resident meetings. Facilitates additional meetings with relevant staff and individuals as deemed necessary to resolve and/or mitigate conflict.

• Document all requests for service

• Appropriate program forms pertinent confidentiality are organized, as complete as possible, and kept in a secured location

• Ensure that the tasks noted on the shift check-list for casual staff responsibilities in your absence.

• Engages with social justice advocacy, research and public education aligned with the mission and vision of OTC. Sets short and long term social advocacy / public education goals that reinforce OTC’s mission and philosophies. Contact agencies engaged in similar work to get a better understanding of their projects. Consult with the staff team to determine whether assisting with an existing project or setting a new goal is in keeping with the vision. Prepare monthly updates to track progress, request feed-back and reevaluate goals.

• Researches, identifies and applies to appropriate grants and small funding opportunities related to OTC programs and services in collaboration with the Partnership Development Coordinator.

• Ensures that all out-going official communication is reviewed and approved by the Program Manager, Executive Director or Partnership Development Coordinator before being sent out.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participates in on-going personal and professional development which may include presenting to or providing training to colleagues, especially pertaining to best practise in harm reduction, low barrier spaces and any of the barriers experienced by the individuals we support.

• Assists in the organization and preparation of household and program events as needed

• Supports staff team with the preparation of monthly program reports as needed. Prepares stats and reports as required.

• Engages in social justice advocacy, research and public education aligned with the mission and vision of OTC

• Contributes to the weekly staff meeting through a written weekly update via the Google Drive.

• Engages in person in the house/staff meetings as sleep schedule allows.

• Is involved in committees as necessary

• Other duties as necessary and/or as assigned by the Program Manager or Executive Director

Qualifications:

• University Degree or Community College Diploma in the Social Services field OR combination of relevant education and experience acceptable to OTC.

• Relevant experience working with individuals experiencing poverty, criminalization, racialization, food and housing insecurity, substance and alcohol use, mental health challenges and a demonstrated understanding of the associated barriers and challenges of those who are precariously housed or unhoused. Lived experience of same is considered an asset

• Ability to connect to individuals and engage in ways that are relevant to them while attentively listening to and responding to identified needs

• Ability to build authentic relationships with individuals from racially and socioeconomically diverse communities.

• Demonstrated commitment and ability to use low barrier, people-centered support rooted in anti-oppressive & harm reduction practices. Be both comfortable and familiar with harm reduction principles and practice.

• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate conflict & mediate disputes in a non-confrontational and unbiased manner

• Demonstrated understanding and engagement of healthy boundaries with individuals and within the context of work

• Knowledge of community resources, programs and services

• Ability to work independently, as a member of a team and under pressure.

• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability. Demonstrated initiative in starting and completing tasks.

• Effective written, verbal, interpersonal communication and computer skills.

• Must provide Criminal Background and Vulnerable Sector Checks. Please contact us to discuss if you feel this may be a barrier.

Must have the following or be willing to acquire within 3 months

• Standard First Aid/CPR Level “C”

• De-escalation Training

• Harm Reduction / Naloxone Training

Physical Requirements:

• This is an awake position meaning staff are required to stay awake for their full shift, including overnight. Sleeping on shift is grounds for immediate termination.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Can safely carry out the duties of the position including being able to lift heavy shelter supplies and physically support individuals with their belongings when needed.

• Must be able to access and navigate different areas of the shelter including stairs and storage areas.

COVID-19 Protocols & Procedures : To support the health and safety of all people living and working in our community, we began implementing preventative health protocols and policies in March 2020. As of March 1st, 2022, OTC Community Association has made the decision to prioritize community care and will continue to adhere to our masking protocols and other COVID-19 preventative measures. Staff, volunteers and visitors are required to self-screen before each shift. Folks who are sick are encouraged to stay home. All full-time and permanent part-time staff are entitled to paid sick days, as per our collective agreement. Residents are screened with the support of staff, as needed, following NSHA’s current COVID screening guidelines. Rapid self-tests and support to take them are available to residents on-site, on-demand, 24/7. All staff are encouraged to self-test while at work, twice per week. All residents must wear masks at all times while accessing the communal spaces, except when actively eating/drinking. Residents are not required to wear masks while in their own rooms or homes unless a staff person is required to support them in that space for an extended period of time. Staff, volunteers and visitors are required to wear masks at all times while on-site or while working off-site in the community, unless actively eating/drinking. For a current copy of OTC’s COVID-19 Operational Plan, please contact the Executive Director.

Pay: $ 22.00 / hr Benefits as per the Collective Agreement

Work Term: Immediately and ongoing

Schedule:

• Must be available to work weekends, days, evenings and overnights

• Must be able to work 8 to 12 hour shifts

• Must be available to work no less than 2 – 12 hour weekend shifts a month as well as no less than 8 additional hours each week.

• Must be willing and available to work holidays, including December 25th, 26th, 31st and January 1st.

This position is part of the SEIU Local 2 Collective Bargaining Unit. Bargaining unit employees are given first consideration. All other applicants will only be considered if there are no qualified internal candidates. You will only be contacted if selected for an interview.

Out of the Cold is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applicants to self identify in their cover letter as Indigenous, Black, African Nova Scotian, Person of Colour, Person with a Disability or 2SLGBTQ.

Job Type: Casual

Salary: $22.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Employee assistance program

Schedule:

• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift

COVID-19 considerations:
Staff, volunteers & residents are required to wear masks in the common spaces unless they are actively eating. Staff & residents are encouraged to engage in asymptomatic testing twice weekly. Protocols follow most current NSHA guidelines & may change.

Application question(s):

• Please provide us with a cover letter to let us know why you would be a great fit for our team.

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (required)
• Night Shift (required)
• Overnight Shift (required)