Team Lead, Indigenous Led Outreach

REPORTS TO: Program Manager

HOURS: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM. Some evening and weekend work as needed.

LENGTH OF CONTRACT: 1 year, with the possibility of extension

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

Reporting to the Outreach Services Manager, the Indigenous Led Outreach Team Lead will work directly in the community with the Indigenous Led Outreach team and provide support and supervision to the team. This program is in partnership with Montana First Nation. The program is part of the City of Edmonton’s Encampment Response Team and is a coordinated response between various stakeholders, professionals and organizations involved in responding to individuals residing in encampments.

Indigenous Led Outreach is a program directly supporting Indigenous individuals who are houseless and residing in encampments throughout the entirety of Edmonton with a specific focus given to individuals camping in the river valley and more hidden locations who are not connected to services. The program supports individuals towards transitioning from life on the streets to a more stable lifestyle, while increasing understanding amount stakeholders about the target population and related challenges facing this unique population. This program also aims to increase housing outcomes for individuals who are experiencing homelessness. “We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force”

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force”

Position Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Coordinate and oversee the daily operations of the Indigenous Led Outreach team, including task delegation and follow up; directly supervise 2 staff members.
• Work with the Outreach Program Manager to maintain strong relationships with Montana First Nation.
• Work to identify and implement best practices as an Indigenous Led Outreach service.
• Provide guidance and support to staff in navigating ethical challenges in their work.
• Work with the Outreach Services Manager to develop and implement outreach strategies that align with organizational goals and community needs.
• Work in direct partnership with the Street Outreach Team Lead to coordinate the Outreach program’s day to day work.
• Work as a leadership team with the Outreach Services Manager and Street Outreach Team Lead to oversee the overall outreach service coordination.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of best practices for delivering outreach services to individuals living outdoors.
• Lead discussions promoting healthy level of coexistence, tolerance, and respect within the community.
• Promptly escalate any human resources related inquiries to the Outreach Services Manager and support in performance related issues and coaching of staff

Frontline Work

• Provide outreach services, engaging with individuals experiencing homelessness to provide support, resources, and assistance in accessing services.
• Working in the field with the team and being actively involved in the Outreach work including carrying a caseload.
• Deliver diversion housing services to individuals experiencing homelessness
• Foster partnerships and maintain communication with community groups, citizens, businesses, stakeholders, funders, and other relevant entities involved with the served population.
• Coordinate between partners involved in the Encampment Response team, including Peace Officers, EPS, City of Edmonton, etc.
• Identify gaps in services for individuals experiencing homelessness and work towards addressing those needs.
• Possess knowledge and connections with various community supports/services such as food assistance, shelter, housing programs, employment resources, mental health services, legal aid, etc.

Administration

• Assist in the recruitment and selection process of new team members.
• Facilitate initial onboarding activities for new hires, ensuring a smooth transition into the team.
• Fulfill administrative responsibilities as assigned by the Outreach Services Manager.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings and provide debriefs and monthly supervisions.
• Facilitate training sessions for team members to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Ensure adequate communication with the Outreach Services Manager regarding team activities and challenges.
• Assist in data collection and creating reports as required by program.
• All other duties as outlined by program manager.
• All staff at BSCS are expected to participate in occasional outreach and emergency response efforts (e.g., winter response) to support and engage with clients.
• BSCS is more than a workplace. It is a community where everyone helps and contributes to the whole, and there is an expectation that all employees will take part in events (during the work week and occasionally during weekends and evenings). This includes fundraising campaigns, running community meals, medicine picking etc.

Qualifications

• Post Secondary Education in a relevant field of study (Social Work/Human Services) and/or relevant work experience; management or program development experience is considered an asset.
• At least three years of experience delivering community-based services.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of poverty-related issues, trends and services, particularly within, but not limited to the urban Indigenous population
• Familiarity with data collection, case management and reporting processes
• Ability to identify skills and abilities to help foster growth and development of both individual workers and a team
• Ability to work in a stressful and ever-changing environment.
• Ability to deal with escalated or complex situations and assist the team in addressing them, use of de-escalation techniques
• Able to solve problems for clients quickly, creatively, and ethically.
• Able to communicate effectively including excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiar with entering data into databases such as Efforts to Outcomes system.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint)
• Great attention to detail and excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• This position requires you to walk long distances and carry a backpack weighing between 10-15lbs.
• Experience with and knowledge of Indigenous culture and ceremonies is considered an asset.
• Valid First Aid certificate or enrolled in a future course
• Police Check with the Vulnerable Sector completed within the past six months and kept up to date (every 3 years)
• Child and Youth Intervention Check completed within the past six months and kept up to date (every 3 years)

Why Work for Boyle?

• All work done positively impacts the community and its members!
• Access to Lumino Health, including Stress & Wellness support
• Employee activities and events throughout the year
• Various training initiatives, and development opportunities

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our community members.

Clients, staff, and partners are vital members of the Boyle Street team, so we place emphasis on making sure that we address each other correctly by using preferred pronouns. We invite you to Job Posting let us know how to properly refer to you and your pronouns as you explore finding a professional home with us.

Boyle Street Community Services aims to foster a work environment that is rich with Indigenous culture, teachings, ceremonies, and activities- as a reflection of the communities we serve and the land we reside upon.

Boyle Street Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of the communities we serve and are committed to engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Boyle Street Community Services welcomes applications from First Nations, Métis, & Inuit peoples as well as New Canadian, differently abled, and LGBTQ2S communities.