Under the direction of the Legal and Transitional Support Team Lead, the Support Within Housing Counsellor will coordinate the Support Within Housing Program for women with moderate to severe mental health issues who require supportive housing. This role will also provide screening, referral, intake and discharge for housing within specific program units in the community, as well as providing supportive counselling, transitional support, crisis management, day program and drop in activities. Additionally, the Support Within Housing Coordinator will provide individual advocacy and referrals.

Responsibilities:

• Managing the screening, intake and discharge process of the program

• Providing service to clients through ongoing support, facilitating peer and group support, providing crisis support and intervention

• Case management

• Providing support services to individuals with moderate to severe mental health issues who are homeless or at risk of being homeless

• Actively working and collaborating with other organizations to ensure residents receive all necessary supports and services.

• Individual advocacy for residents and former residents

• Developing and coordinating program and drop in activities

• Working towards building partnerships in the community with those involved in the mental health, abuse, housing and addiction sectors

• Participating on relevant community and regional committees

• Exploring and developing opportunities to address the stigma associated with abuse, mental health and housing

• Educating the community on issues relating to abuse, mental health and housing

• Providing occasional education/informal presentations to professional and community groups

• Developing and distributing program information to the community

Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• Post-secondary degree in a related field or combination of related diploma and 3 years direct experience in a similar role in the Social Services Sector

• Extensive knowledge of woman abuse, mental health, addiction and housing issues

• Knowledge of issues of violence against women and children, including the intersection with mental health and addictions

• Excellent crisis management, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

• Communication and report writing skills

• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act

• Ability to calmly assess security and risk situations and respond appropriately following required policies and procedures

• Must be able to utilize listening skills, empathy and interpersonal skills when dealing with clients

• Maintain a current understanding of feminist philosophy

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries

• Works from an ARAO/Intersectionality lens

• Excellent documentation skills

Employment Requirements:

• Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance Certificate and maintaining of clearance requirements during course of employment

• Valid driver’s license and insurance to allow for client transport

• CPR and First Aid Certification

Physical / Mental Effort:

Based on the work schedule/flow the frequency of the following tasks will vary according to need:

• Changing priorities and work flow to accommodate needs of others, and imposed deadlines

• Working with individuals in crisis situations

• Working under pressure to meet imposed deadlines while performing daily duties

• Using interpersonal skills, empathy and acute listening skills

• Using good problem solving and crisis management skills

• Attending Support Within Housing community residential units

Working Conditions:

• 35 hours per week. Some evening work is required

• Shared Office

• Community residential units

• Busy environment with many interruptions

• Many activities occurring in community settings

• Rural and urban driving conditions in all seasons

• Working independently out in the community, often in high needs crisis situations

The successful candidate will join a compassionate, caring and forward-thinking family of professionals.

Our steadfast feminist and family-first approach guides the work we do. We are committed to ensuring that FTP continues to boast strong staff retention and satisfaction through consistent collaboration, communication, skills and culture development opportunities throughout our organization.

Our commitment to our internal agency values of compassion, respect, inclusion, continuous learning and integrity is unwavering, and we are striving to create a culture rooted in inclusiveness. We are committed to unlearning biases and working towards undoing systemic racism and oppression towards, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, 2SLGBTQ+ and all marginalized identities.

We are focused on innovation and enhancement of our services for our clients; we are equally focused on creating a workplace that works with our staff. We are deeply proud of the culture we have developed, and the staff who continue to help us shape it. We’d love to have you join us!

Family Transition Place is dedicated to achieving a workplace that reflects the diversity of the community it serves and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. We thank all applicants, however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.