Client Engagement Worker

CMHA Kelowna & District is hiring for full-time Client Engagement Worker at our Ellis Place location. This position offers 40 paid hours per week with a work schedule of Sunday - Thursday, 9am-5pm.

WHO IS A CLIENT ENGAGEMENT WORKER?

The Client Engagement Worker (CEW) is the initial point of contact for all participants entering Supportive Housing. It is a harm reduction focused, collaborative position that focuses on housing success and connects participants with complex barriers to programs and services, both internal and external, that can help to address their needs. The CEW supports all social issues including, but not limited to, poverty, mental illness, bullying, substance use, domestic violence and abuse.

WHAT DOES A CLIENT ENGAGEMENT WORKER DO?

• Assumes primary responsibility for case management including conducting initial participant engagement, assessing needs and collaboratively developing SMART goals
• Proactively engages participants to build rapport and gain an understanding of what motivates them
• Provide information, and connect participants to resources both within supportive housing and in the community
• Problem solves and advocates for participants to access appropriate health supports when required
• Recognizes participants’ strengths and honors their abilities while offering flexible person-centered support in establishing and progressing towards goals
• Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet participant needs and facilitates referrals
• Provides individual support in cases where an individual is struggling with belongings management and home maintenance issues
• Supports participants in off-site community-based activities such as grocery shopping, applying for gyms or community programs, and learning to use public transit
• Perform day-to-day administrative duties including maintaining participant records
• Ensure flow of critical participant information with the team
• Create and maintain a system/schedule of tasks for the Supportive Housing Workers (SHW) on all shifts to complete for participants (i.e. referrals and applications), and for them to provide progress updates
• Collaborates with SHWs, Team Lead, Counsellors and external teams to provide wraparound support for individuals who require more attention - i.e. severe belongings management
• Manage time effectively and assists with tasks assigned by the Team Lead
• Actively participate in participant-related meetings and trainings
• Recognize and responds to emergency situations such as mental health crises, and involves other services when appropriate
• Manages crises, including providing timely response in providing CPR and Naloxone as part of overdose response
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team liaising with staff to promote a supportive respectful environment which emphasizes collaborative approaches and values contributions of all members, including staff and participants;
• Actively participate in participant-related meetings and trainings
• Performs other related duties as assigned

YOUR STRENGTHS & EXPERIENCE:

• Diploma in Human/Social Service or related field or a combination of education, training and experience
• 1 year of case management experience required
• Criminal Record Check clearance in the Vulnerable Sector
• Reliable vehicle and ability to transport clients and travel between facilities and other locations daily
• Valid Class 5 BC driver’s license
• Ability to provide a Driver’s Abstract & ICBC Claims & Insurance History Record
• Ability to obtain Rate Class 007 Business Insurance
• Certificates in First Aid, Mental Heath First Aid, CPR, Naloxone and Food Safe considered an asset
• Experience working in a Supportive Housing environment considered an asset
• Experience working in the Community Social Service sector considered an asset
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to engage respectfully and develop rapport with program participants with multiple barriers
• Ability to work in cooperation with team members and independently
• Ability to be non-judgmental and open with clear interpersonal boundaries
• Understanding of and commitment to working with people experiencing mental health concerns and substance use
• Working knowledge and ability to effectively navigate community-based resources
• Ability to provide clear instruction
• Ability to maintain consistent professional boundaries
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow privacy policies
• Strong understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Intermediate computer skills
• Understanding of working with a Trauma Informed lens
• Understanding of Harm Reduction and Housing First principles
• Ability to organize and prioritize competing program and participant needs
• Strong attention to detail for documenting participant logs and critical incidents
• Ability to recognize changes in participants, analyze and resolve challenges
• Problem-solving and crisis intervention skills to resolve participant conflicts
• Knowledge of local community resources
• Ability to be regularly exposed to individuals who are struggling with and/or recovering from trauma, drug/alcohol use, homelessness, mental health challenges and/or mental illness
• Ability to be regularly exposed to and in direct contact with dust, dirt, germs and human bio-products

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA & DISTRICT?

At CMHA Kelowna & District, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website at www.cmhakelowna.org

CMHA KELOWNA & DISTRICT OFFERS YOU:

• A competitive wage of $26.57/hour
• Dental, Health & EAP Benefits
• RRSP matching program
• Vacation & Personal Health Days
• A workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and teamwork

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna & District strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna & District that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna & District does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.