Do you have experience working in the homeless-serving sector-of-care? Do you have a strong foundation in addictions and mental health? Do you have a solid understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction? If so, this position may be for you!

Who We Are

The Alex is a beacon of hope for Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens, offering wrap-around health care, housing, social, and wellness programs. With a patient and client-centered approach, we envision a community where every individual is valued and empowered to thrive. Our mission is to improve quality of life through accessible and integrated health, housing, and social services. With five decades of experience, we have earned a reputation for tackling tough health and social issues, guiding individuals on their journey from crisis to wellness, and from challenge to change.

Reporting to the Team Lead, the Case Manager will provide ongoing support to formerly homeless individuals as they establish permanent housing. Working within the Intensive Case Management model, and utilizing a strength-based, client-centered approach, the Case Manager will support program participants in creating a personalized plan with individualized goals. Case Managers will meet on a regular basis with program participants in community settings and provide the necessary support to achieve and maintain housing stability as well as community integration.

This is a full-time, six (6) month contract term position.

What You Will Do

• Provide case management to individuals exiting homelessness
• Connect individuals to appropriate services in the community and assist in facilitating referrals
• Complete appropriate needs and risk assessments
• Work from a culturally competent framework
• Work with individuals in their homes and community settings to teach and support with daily living skills.
• Work alongside program participants to help identify risk factors which could lead to eviction.
• Transport program participants to and from appointments and assist with daily activities as required.
• Advocate for the rights of tenants and landlords using the Residential Tenancy Act.
• Aid participants in navigating the justice and health care system.
• Assist in finding and securing appropriate housing.
• Assist in obtaining and maintaining income support.
• Support individuals who are experiencing acute, severe, and persistent mental health and substance use disorders.
• Work as a member of a team, supporting colleagues as needed.
• Display a high degree of professionalism.
• Collaborate with partner agencies.
• Demonstrate strong time management and organization skills.
• Support housing processes to assist with moves and liaise with landlords.
• Receive ongoing training to support with professional development and career goal.
• Participate in the afterhours Landlord Consult line rotation.
• Assist with data collection and entry as directed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a relevant field.
• Experience working in the homeless-serving system-of-care, along with strong knowledge of community resources.
• A strong foundation in addictions and mental health, including personality disorders, PTSD, and trauma.
• Solid understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including active listening skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to problem solve and think critically.
• Commitment to contributing positively to team culture.
• Openness to a wide scope of practice with a commitment to innovation and flexibility.
• Ability to work independently, including an ability to assess risk.
• A certificate in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention/De-escalation or equivalent is an asset.
• Class 5 driver’s license, personal vehicle for business use, clean 3-year drivers abstract, and $2 million liability coverage are required.
• Minimum of 21 years of age and three (3) years of driving experience is required to drive an Alex fleet vehicle.
• First Aid (Basic or Standard) - Level C CPR within 30 days of hire date; certification must be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon hire.
• A satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal record clearance is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action is preferred.

Work Environment and Hours

• Predominately outreach; single staff visits in program participant homes.
• In-office components take place at The Alex Community Health Centre: 2840-4 Ave, Calgary, AB.
• 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours/week)
• 6-month contract term position.
• Standard hours 8:30-4:30pm, Monday to Friday; flexibility in crisis situations is required.
• Continuous extended periods of sitting, with some standing and walking.
• Frequent driving as part of work duties.
• Occasional climbing of stairs throughout shift.
• Occasional time outside in all weather conditions.
• Occasional physical activity requiring the ability to bend/crouch, reach above shoulder height, kneel, and carry objects (up to 50Ibs) throughout shift. This includes lifting or transferring clients who require assistance supporting themselves.

Working Conditions

This position requires frontline staff, in some cases, to be exposed to emotionally disturbing events, such as medical distress, threatened/actual serious injury, violence, abuse, and death. There may also be exposure to situations where clients may be experiencing fear, terror, hopelessness, rage, self-harm and conflict. It is understood and accepted that this position will be working in distress/high-stress situations, which may include emergency response where resiliency, stress tolerance, and the ability to maintain composure is imperative. This position may also be exposed to bodily fluids. The health and safety - both physical and psychological- of our employees is a priority. The Alex is focused on providing a safe, supportive and healthy work environment.

What We Offer

Some of the great benefits The Alex has to offer include:

• 3-weeks’ vacation
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• Health / Wellness Spending Accounts
• RRSP, Student Loan Repayment Program, and/or Mortgage Accelerator Repayment Program (up to 5% match)
• Personal Days
• Floating Holiday
• Sick/Wellness Days
• Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)
• Professional Development

Driving on behalf of The Alex

This position requires the use of a personal vehicle for work-related purposes and, at times, driving an Alex fleet vehicle. Candidates must show proof of a class 5 driver's license, a personal vehicle, and a clean 3-year drivers abstract. Candidates must also agree to maintain $2 million liability insurance on their personal vehicle to transport clients, and consent to the possibility of an annual driver's abstract review to meet our insurance provider’s requirements. Mileage will be reimbursed in alignment with the CRA guidelines. Driving a fleet vehicle at The Alex also requires that staff are at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three (3) years’ driving experience.

How to apply

If you are as passionate as we are about making a difference in people’s lives, please visit our career centre: Jobs at The Alex | The Alex.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We will make every effort to accommodate candidate’s schedules and needs in all parts of the hiring process.

The Alex is committed to embedding the principles of equity, inclusion, and diversity across the organization. We are committed to removing barriers to employment that are faced by equity-seeking groups and encourage (but not require) members of these groups to self-identify as such in their cover letters.

In accordance with our strategic priorities, we particularly encourage applications from individuals who self-identify as racialized* or Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, or Inuit).

• The term “racialized” is used here instead of the more outdated and inaccurate terms “racial minority, “visible minority”, “person of colour”, or “non-White”.

For further information about The Alex and its programs, we encourage you to visit our website at www.thealex.ca.