Housing Support Worker – Waverley- Evenings/Overnights

Title: Housing Support Worker – Waverley Evenings/Overnights

Department: Housing

Reports to: Waverley Team Lead

Job Classification: Full-Time, Hourly, Term, Evening/Overnight shift

Location: Halifax

Program Overview

The YWCA Halifax operates a 32-room housing program for single, unaccompanied women and gender diverse people, aged 35-70+, named Waverley Inn. The program offers living accommodations in the form of a bachelor room with a private bathroom, with shared common rooms and kitchen. Housing is anticipated to be long-term for the duration of the building’s leasing contract. As with all of the YWCA’s housing programs, the goal is to provide safe, secure, and supported housing to women and gender diverse people who have experienced barriers to stable housing.

The Housing Support Worker (HSW) – Waverley contributes to the overall success of the Housing Program and YWCA Halifax by providing participant -centered supports to participants under the direction of the Waverley Team Lead:  as necessary to support participant case plans.  The HSW researches best practices in preventing and alleviating homelessness and assists in updating procedures and practices to incorporate best practices.

The Housing Support Worker will work in teams of two to support the daily operations of Waverly Inn. The Housing Support Worker will work to ensure the safety and support for residents while on shift. The worker’s role will include providing navigational support, referrals and supportive programming to residents.

The Housing Support Worker – Waverley is responsible for identifying risk management concerns in their area of responsibility when conducting program activities and supports. The HSW – Waverley is responsible for following all YWCA procedures, policies, and ensuring they work safely at all times.  The HSW – Waverley contributes to the advancement and achievement of the YWCA mission, vision, values, guiding principles, strategic plan, business plan, and departmental plan. Work is guided by using a Harm Reduction, Participant-Centered, Housing First, and Trauma Informed model.

Qualifications and Experience:

The Housing Support Worker – Waverley will hold a degree/diploma in social services or related field such as, social work international development studies, sociology, child and youth studies, education, health promotion, or equivalent education and experience. They will have a minimum of 6-12 months’ experience within supportive housing programs within homelessness. The Housing Support Worker will have an understanding of feminist theoretical perspectives and intersectionality. Also, of issues such as racism/colonialism, violence against women, sexualized human trafficking, sexual health, and poverty. They will have knowledge of, and experience with community-based, trauma-informed, harm reduction practices as well as a strong commitment to ongoing learning and development in these areas and experience working in collaborative environments on complex issues involving multiple and diverse stakeholders. There should be a high proficiency in the following:

• Delivery of direct support services
• Collaboration
• Communication, both written and oral
• Interpersonal skills
• Computer literacy
• First Aid/CPR
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention

Strong knowledge of community resources, excellent organizational and communication (both written and oral) skills and the ability to work collaboratively with community partners. Familiar working with evaluation in an outcome-based framework. Experience in case management, and delivery of direct supports services required. Strong administrative skills, strong advocacy skills and an ability to work independently and in a team environment, effective interpersonal, high level of computer literacy, ability to maintain a collaborative partnership internal and external to the organization, knowledge of community development strategies from a feminist theoretical perspective.

Essential Duties of the Position:

• Advance the vision and mission of the YWCA of Halifax:

Program Delivery

• Responsible for direct service delivery to participants, case planning, case management, securing resources for participants, working with participants on transitions, advocacy, and referrals. Other direct service may include:

• Case management
• Navigation
• Advocacy
• Life skills programming
• Eviction prevention
• Conflict resolution
• General support

• Awareness of local community resources and agencies to assist in wrap around supports for residents in need.
• Daily monitoring of safety and risk management concerns.
• Maintaining daily records and notes.
• Maintaining operational standards.
• Light cleaning to maintain the cleanliness of shared spaces.
• Ensuring the policy and procedural guidelines are followed.
• Responsible to assist with intake and move in/out procedures in collaboration with the Housing and Intake Coordinator and Waverley Team Lead
• Responsible for assisting with By Name List referrals, subsidy applications, and coordinating support to residents of housing program.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with external program partners including Department of Community Services workers, HRM Maintenance workers, Coordinated access participants, donors, and health care providers.
• Responsible for assisting with reports to funders including Department of Community Services.
• Responsible for achieving goals/objectives/outcomes and reporting on results in relation to work plans. Responsible for tracking results to outcomes as required.
• Responsible for participant risk assessments.
• Ensures high quality of direct service for program participants, assists in administration of program evaluation to assess the strengths of the program and to identify and assess areas for improvement.
• Ensures that program activities are complying with all relevant legislation, insurance coverage, and reports deficiencies to Housing Manager.
• Ensure that participant information files are properly maintained and kept confidential.
• Assist participants with transitions out of the YWCA Housing programs and provide follow up support in collaboration with Housing staff.
• Provide support to housing participants by phone, in person and by email.
• Participate in regular staff meetings.

Financial Management

• Responsible for submitting monthly billing and operational documentation to Housing Manager and Waverley Team Lead.
• Responsible for safe use and storage of YWCA property, which includes cell phone, laptop, unit/office keys, and other YWCA equipment.
• Responsible to follow the direction of the Waverley Team Lead to ensure that program expenditures fall within budget guidelines, fall within YWCA financial policies and procedures, and obtains Housing Manager’s signature for all program expenditures.

Staff/Volunteer/Student Supervision

• Under the direction of the supervisor, orients program staff, volunteers/students to housing programs to ensure compliance with organizational standards and procedures, to achieve program/project outcomes/goals.
• Monitors and mentors, volunteers/students to achieve program outcomes.

Other Duties:  

• Serves in community/sector task forces and committees as appropriate.
• Participates in YWCA and community-based advocacy activities that are consistent with YWCA policies.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Ensures the maintenance of all files, information systems, and databases related to areas of responsibility.
• Other duties as delegated by the Housing Manager and/or Waverley Team Lead

YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, disAbility, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.

If you are interested, please submit your resume by April 30th at 4:59pm.

Please send your cover letter and resume in one document to humanresources@YWCA.com

Subject Line: HSW – Waverley