Youth Housing Caseworker

Company Overview:

For over 75 years enCompass has been building safe and inclusive communities by supporting individuals to navigate change – and lead healthy, meaningful lives. We provide holistic services and wraparound supports that address the root causes of crime and social disorder. We do this through preventative and restorative activities including release planning, housing, safety planning, employment transition, education, substance recovery, cultural supports and more. By exemplifying care, compassion and understanding, we are laying the foundations for positive change.

We are a values-driven organization that supports clients from a strength-based approach. If your values are aligned with our core values listed at: https://myencompass.ca/about-us/who-we-are/, please consider joining our team.

Position Summary:

Youth Housing First is part of the Housing division of enCompass Community Safety Agency (" the Agency") and supports youth between the ages of 16-24 who are experiencing housing instability to obtain and maintain safe, secure and sustainable housing. The Youth Housing First Case Worker provides community-based outreach and individualized case management support using the Critical Time Intervention model. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with youth to identify and secure suitable market housing, develop individualized goals, navigate community systems, access resources, and build the skills and supports necessary to maintain housing stability.

This position involves working independently in the community and building relationships with youth, landlords, community agencies, and other service providers. The successful candidate must be comfortable working with youth experiencing complex barriers, including homelessness, mental health concerns, substance use, involvement with the justice system, family conflict, and other challenges impacting housing stability.

Responsibilities:

Client Support

• Deliver services in a client centered, strength-based approach consistent with program philosophy

• Maintain a case load of up to 15 youth at a time

• Work with clients to secure suitable and sustainable market housing

• Adapt services to meet the needs of diverse populations as per program policy

• Role model life skills, social skills, communication skills and conflict resolution

• Transparently address current challenges with the youth

• Build collaborative relationships with youth

• Ensure that clients have the required necessities to establish their household while allowing client agency in the process

• Encourage youth to engage in healthy lifestyle alternatives

• Assist youth in developing and revising individual goal plans using SMART goals

• Role model and assist the youth with self-advocacy

• Facilitate meetings with youth and their identified supports as service team meetings

• Assist youth in completing referrals to additional services

• Travel to meet youth for individual support as needed

• Utilize the Critical Time Intervention case management model to prevent recurrent homelessness

• Transport youth in personal vehicle as directed and approved

Administration

• Completion of accurate written daily documentation (Database entries, contact notes, incident reports)
• Completion of referral and intake documentation
• Manage monthly expenses and petty cash claims
• Maintain accurate and timely data collection, data entry and completing of any program assessments and surveys as directed
• Submit invoices and cheque requests within expected timelines

Health and Safety

• Deliver services in accordance with unit and agency policies and procedures
• Ensure youth are aware of and understand program rules and respond accordingly
• Follow working alone protocols as per program policy
• Communicate pertinent information to supervisor and other staff as necessary

Community Engagement

• Liaise with guardians, program partners and other professionals
• Maintain positive relationships with community members (neighbors, visitors, landlords etc.) and report significant challenges/incidents to supervisor immediately
• Liaise with other members of the Youth Housing First Project on a weekly basis

Agency Collaboration

• Contribute to a positive culture by assisting and supporting colleagues as needed and encourage and teach others about the program’s operations
• Practice agency mission, vision, values and guiding principles
• Maintain positive, professional working relationships with colleagues
• Participate in program staff meetings
• Participate in agency staff meetings and on agency committees as appropriate

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in core agency and additional ongoing training opportunities as directed and approved
• As directed by supervisor

Qualifications / Skills:

• Diploma in a related human services field
• 2-3 years’ experience working with youth experiencing complex barriers
• Understanding and experience engaging in Harm Reduction, Strength Based and Trauma Informed approaches
• Strong knowledge of community resources for youth
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
• Able to work within a team and effectively deal with crisis situations
• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR
• Criminal Record Check and Child Intervention Check
• General computer knowledge (Microsoft word, Outlook)
• Reliable vehicle, valid Class 5 Driver’s License, Driver’s Abstract, and $2 million liability

PREFERRED CRITERIA:

• Degree in a related human services field
• Certification in Suicide Intervention and Crisis Intervention Prevention
• Experience entering information into a database

Conditions of Employment:

• Monday Through Friday 8:30-4:30pm
• Location - Community Outreach and Transition Place

What we offer

• The salary range for this position is $53,060.40 to $62,611.27 annually.
• enCompass strives to provide a meaningful work environment through the following:

• Strong focus on employee wellness and work-life balance
• Service recognition and employee awards
• Professional development opportunities
• Staff team building and appreciation days
• Competitive health, dental and RRSP benefits

Please include how you heard about the position in the cover letter. Resumes without a cover letter will not be considered.

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted

Building Safe, Inclusive Communities.

enCompass is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from people of Indigenous heritage, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.