Housing Coordinator

Housing Coordinator – Geraldton/Longlac HC2024-10
Salary range: $ 53331.98 – $ 61141.22 per annum
* potential salary increases may include a sliding scale based on the hire date anniversary and a 1.5% increase effective April 1, 2025, as per the Collective Agreement.
Competitive and comprehensive employer-paid health and dental benefits, along with paid sick time.
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP).
12 paid days off to honour and observe statutory holidays, including a holiday shutdown during the winter break.
4-weeks' vacation* with 3 Family Care Days and 3 Floater Days pro-rated for the first year of employment.
*vacation entitlement increases based on the number of years of employment.
Other Benefits:

Expense claim reimbursement for mileage and meals when travelling across the district.
Flexible work schedule per accrual of flex time.
Opportunities for growth and professional development.
Agency Wellness Committee initiatives.

Summary
Working within a Recovery Framework and applying a Harm Reduction and Housing First approach, the Housing Coordinator provides a range of supports for individuals living with mental illness and/or addiction, who are living in the community and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Housing Coordinator provides engagement, assessment and support, as required, based on the unique needs of the individual, with the goal of supporting the individual in securing and/or maintaining safe, affordable housing in accordance with funding agreements. This position is mobile in nature, working with individuals in the community, including within their homes. The Housing Coordinator reports directly to the assigned Clinical Services Manager (CSM).
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
Working with individuals 18 years and older, who are living with mental health challenges, substance use health needs, addiction, problem gambling and/or concurrent disorders, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, duties include, but are not limited to:

Providing comprehensive, person-centered assessment, supportive counselling and case management supports.
Collaboratively working with other Agency-assigned staff and committed to limiting service duplication, maintaining continuity of care through coordinated care planning, and achieving clear and consistent communication with clients and/or their families/guardians by actively participating in formal direct interdisciplinary planning meetings and/or indirect team member interdisciplinary planning meetings to enhance collective efforts and avoid redundancy in service delivery.
Providing psycho-education, information and referral specific to individual needs.
Providing practical supports and life-skills coaching to assist individuals in managing and maintaining their housing.
Advocating with landlords and supporting individuals through the Housing Tribunal process, as required.
Supporting the application process for long-term affordable housing.
Assessing, intervening and developing individualized safety plans when imminent risk has been identified.
Engaging in ongoing assessment and evaluation of clients' progress using standardized assessment tools and other evidence-based methodologies.
Supporting housing individuals in their psychiatric assessments and actioning psychiatrist recommendations with life-skills coaching, case management and/or internal or external referrals for clinical counselling.
Co-facilitating psycho-educational and/or support open or closed groups, and/or discussion workshops as they relate to housing needs.
Maintaining a client caseload consistent with expectations of the role.
Documenting all client engagement, case management activities and client progress in the electronic client clinical record.
Liaising with the most appropriate physician(s), community agencies and/or care providers, facilitating the removal of barriers to care and ensuring the wrapping around of services to best meet the holistic needs of the client.
Accompanying and/or transporting clients to/during appointments, in community, as necessary, in order to remove barriers around access, excludes emergency service support. Note: In cases of mental health or medical emergencies, 911 or other emergency services must be contacted.
Maintaining confidentiality and working in a manner consistent with ethical guidelines of the Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers or applicable College.
Participating in the clinical supervision and performance enhancement process.
Developing personal goals for continued learning and engaging in ongoing development and self-evaluation.
Assisting, precepting and providing support for colleagues, students and others to enhance and further develop clinical practice.

Administrative

Participating as an active and contributing member of the NOSP team.
Participating in team and agency staff meetings, actively contributing to discussion, planning and problem solving.
Participating in agency change initiatives, actively contributing input to support for success.
Participating in research and program evaluation projects within the agency.
Participating in and contributing to agency-wide activities and initiatives (e.g., committees, working groups, agency planning days, etc.).
Familiarizing self and working in alignment with agency policies and procedures, College Standards and governing legislation.
Maintaining up-to-date documentation within the agency's electronic client information system, applying College Standards as they relate to clinical documentation.
Actively engaging and representing the Agency at educational, career, and other health-care-related community fairs and events, as needed.

Occupational Health and Safety

Following all policies and procedures to ensure personal safety and safety of others.
Following the principles of the Internal Responsibility System (IRS), reporting any observed health and safety risks to the immediate manager or designate.

Additional duties as required to support the effective operation of the Housing Program and related delivery of services to individuals and families across the District of Thunder Bay.
Qualifications/Requirements

College diploma or bachelor's level of post-secondary education; preference given to graduates with membership in their respective Regulatory College.
A preference of three (3) years' experience in a supported housing role, preferably with experience working with mental health and/or substance use health.
Experience working within a and/or knowledge of the Recovery Philosophy, Harm Reduction approach and Housing First approach to the provision of supports.
The ability to actively engage with individuals accessing services, while fostering sustainable and meaningful interpersonal professional relationships.
Proven knowledge in utilizing evidence-based and evidence-informed assessments, supportive counselling techniques, case management and discharge planning tailored specifically for removing barriers for secured housing.
Demonstrated skill in how to develop goals and plans of care for individuals accessing services based upon their individual needs and circumstances based on the principles of person-centered planning, self-determination and choice and providing services reflective of this plan.
Experience in community networking, service navigation and facilitating linkages to programs and services.
Knowledge of and experience with clinically sound documentation standards.
Sound clinical acumen.
An understanding of the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the ability to effectively apply privacy practices within the rural living context.
Familiarity with evidence-based therapy approaches (e.g.: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Solution-focused therapy (SFT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, etc) is considered an asset. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is considered an asset.
Extremely organized and able to multi-task several competing priorities at any given time with a demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team, with minimal supervision.
Aware of and committed to valuing the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
An understanding of the impacts of intergenerational trauma in the Indigenous community and a sound understanding of culturally relevant approaches in service delivery.
Clear understanding of how systemic racism and oppression have adversely affected the social determinants of health for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour) communities with a demonstrated ability to apply an anti-oppressive/anti-racist perspective in service delivery throughout the lifespan.
Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of and imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts for service users.
Clear understanding of scope of practice as it relates to the position and in keeping with the applicable Regulatory College and performance of duties within this scope.
Advanced skills in oral and written communication.
Working knowledge and excellent application with the use of technology with experience working with Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook and confidence in utilizing other clinical databases and/or platforms (e.g., EMHware, DATIS, CATALYST, Time tracking software, etc.).
A valid Ontario Driver's Licence is required.
The use of a privately-owned vehicle and appropriate insurance coverage is required.
Ability to travel across the District of Thunder Bay and/or out-of-District communities, as required.
Ability to speak French is considered an asset.
This position may require working flexible hours contingent upon client need.

Before starting with us

A Vulnerable Sector police check.
A positive police check does not automatically disqualify an applicant for a position with North of Superior Counselling; however, the Police Check will be reviewed and evaluated to decide on suitability for employment to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.

North of Superior Counselling Programs is an equal-opportunity employer. We benefit from the diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. North of Superior Counselling Programs participates in the Government of Canada's 50-30 Challenge. This program challenges organizations to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as racialized, Black, and/or people of colour, people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal, and/or Indigenous Peoples to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace.
Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and North of Superior Counselling Programs' policies, accommodation requests will be considered throughout the hiring process.
We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
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