Housing and Homelessness Intern

Our Internship program offers paid 18-month internships for new grads interested in a career in municipal public service. The program provides training, development, and on-the-job experience for candidates that have graduated within the last 24 months.
We are inviting applications for the Up to 18-month term position of Housing & Homelessness Intern in Community Safety. This is a bargaining unit position; external candidates will be considered if there are no qualified NSGEU 222 candidates.
The intern program is designed to provide experiential learning and maximum professional exposure to interns in their chosen field of study while exploring the benefits of working for the municipality. Over the course of the internship, candidates will learn about government policy, operations, administration, services, and planning in a collaborative and supportive environment. Interns make a difference in our community and organization!
Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is committed to reflecting the community it serves and recognizing Diversity and Inclusion as one of the Municipality’s core values. We have an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented in the workforce, Indigenous/Aboriginal People, Persons with Disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ Persons. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify on their electronic application.
Under the direction of the Housing Coordinator, the Housing and Homelessness Intern will provide support to the Housing & Homelessness team with emergency response to homelessness for the municipality. This includes building and fostering relationships with the community through street outreach, working with service providers, as well as engaging HRM business units and other stakeholder organizations to address issues of homelessness.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Proactively engage and build trust with people with a street presence, who may or may not be homeless, throughout HRM with priority on encampments on HRM lands;
• Work closely with community partners and other services providers/case managers to ensure continuity of care as required (e.g., medical treatment, mental health and substance abuse treatment, shelter, Housing and employment).
• Provide regular access, encouragement and advocacy with individuals as they progress through the process of leaving homelessness.
• Provide a daily visible street presence and support for those living on HRM property;
• Build and maintain knowledge of legislation, community services, resources, policies, programs, procedures and issues affecting client population.
• Assist Homelessness Coordinators liaise with staff from other programs and community agencies (e.g., hospitals, social workers, doctors, immigration, shelters, drop-ins, health clinics, legal programs, other City Programs, etc.) to provide program information or in advocating for transfers/placements of clients.
• Support Housing Coordinator in designing, implementing, and problem-solving within all aspects of the Pallet Shelter and Tiny Homes projects (& similar projects), consistent with Regional Council’s Framework on Homelessness and the Province of Nova Scotia sheltering and housing strategy.
• Regularly inspect and coordinate general site maintenance and upkeep of these communities.

Administration:

• Complete paperwork on each individual while adhering to Privacy Act requirements.
• Compile and maintain records and related statistics, with bi-weekly updates provided to Director of Housing and Homelessness.
• Represent HRM in a positive and professional manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• Post secondary Degree or certificate in Social Work, Addiction Services, Behavioral intervention, Social Services
• Experience (volunteer or otherwise) in street outreach with highly vulnerable populations, particularly those with health, mental health, and substance abuse issues would be considered an asset.
• Crisis management training and/or experience would be considered an asset.
• Lived experience with homelessness, mental health, or addictions would be considered an asset.
• To be eligible for the internship, candidates must have graduated within the last 24 months or be confirmed to graduate in June 2024 from a recognized or legally authorized university or community college.
• Candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada at time of application and maintain this status for the duration of 18-month term.
• We value non-traditional experience and candidates are encouraged to outline in their application any student leadership, volunteering, extra-curricular, or community-based experience they possess.
• Preference will be given to those candidates who have demonstrated an interest in public policy or government administration

Technical / Job Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of evidence-based intervention: Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, and Housing First.
• Engagement and rapport building skills with hard-to-reach clients.
• Demonstrated knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to work independently and as part the team.
• Ability to exercise mature and professional judgment.
• Sound problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and tasks.
• Knowledge of and adherence to HRM confidentiality requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• Flexible, adaptable and capable of working in a fast paced, professional environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Security Clearance Requirements: Applicants may be required to complete an employment security screening check. You will be provided with more specific information during the recruitment process.
COMPETENCIES: Valuing Diversity, Analytical Thinking, Communication, Decision Making, Customer Service, Risk Management, Organization and Planning, Teamwork & Cooperation, Visioning Strategic Thinking & Innovation
WORK STATUS: Full Time -Temporary up to 18 months
HOURS OF WORK: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 35 hours per week
SALARY: $50,000 per year
WORK LOCATION: 40 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth however flex options to work outside of these hours under a hybrid work model may be available
CLOSING DATE: Applications will be received up to 11:59pm on April 14, 2024
Please note: We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
During the recruitment process, applicants have the right to request an accommodation. Applicants invited to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing) and who require accommodation, should discuss their needs with the Recruiter when invited to the assessment process.

Administrative & Clerical