Resident Support Worker - Overnight

Program: The Permanent Supported Housing sites at 7 Church St in Dartmouth and 5580 Cogswell St in Halifax are housing projects facilitated by Out of the Cold Community Association. These programs support individuals and couples who have been chronically unhoused and who experience high barriers to maintaining independent housing. Both programs offer single-room housing placements, individualized case management, and resident programming in a low-barrier, harm-reduction focussed setting. This housing is a welcoming and intentional space that fosters a sense of home and community while still focusing on the unique, self-identified needs of the individuals we support

The 7 Church St. site in Dartmouth is equipped to support 26 residents who experience high barriers to maintaining their housing, with programming facilitated by professional support staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The 5580 Cogswell St. site in Halifax is equipped to support 38 residents who experience high barriers to maintaining their housing, with programming facilitated by professional support staff, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Population Served: OTC Community Association provides low-barrier, people-centered support rooted in anti-oppressive & harm reduction practices. We support individuals (16+) and couples of all genders who are unhoused or precariously housed and who experience a variety of barriers to housing including poverty, criminalization, racism, homophobia, transphobia, food insecurity, inadequate access to physical & mental health supports, alcohol & substance use challenges and varying levels of ability and life skills.

The Resident Support Worker - Overnight is responsible for providing services that are high quality, consistent, and in accordance with OTC’s policies and values. All Staff are responsible for supporting individuals in meeting their basic needs, maintaining their stay and ensuring that Public Health recommendations for the COVID-19 pandemic are being followed.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, Manager and/or the Executive Director, the Resident Support Worker is responsible for actively engaging in support of residents and in the oversight and implementation of OTC’s Shelter and Supported Housing programming, in alignment with the policies and values of OTC.

Responsibilities:

● Supports the creation and maintenance of a low barrier, anti-oppressive, harm reduction focussed environment at all times.

● Engage residents in genuine, dignified and humanizing interactions while fostering relationships and community building.

● Establish and maintain positive working relationships with individuals living and working at the supportive housing site.

● Work within the staff team and the wider community to foster relationships and support best outcomes for residents

● Maintains healthy boundaries with both residents and colleagues.

● Be accountable to each other, always acting with intention and care. Ensures that all interactions are carried out in a culturally responsive, safe, dignified, and unobtrusive manner

● Supports residents in maintaining their housing and in upholding their responsibilities as collectively agreed upon for the space. Upholds staff responsibilities to residents as collectively agreed upon for the space.

● Support residents with guest management and in following the supportive housing community guidelines around guests.

● Is familiar with individuals listed on the DNA and supports folks in leaving the site if needed.

● Responds to requests for support and referrals from individuals from the community at the door, on the phone and online. Documents all requests for service and the support provided.

● Conduct shelter diversion conversations and offer appropriate diversion support.

● Adheres to the protocols and practices as outlined in the most up-to-date OTC document COVID Protocols and supports residents, guests, volunteers and colleagues in doing so as well.

Harm Reduction

● Supports the creation and maintenance of a low barrier, harm reduction focussed space. Be familiar with harm reduction principles and be able to put them into practice.

● Supports Residents in accessing harm reduction supplies. Keeps supplies stocked following the most recent guidelines from the Harm Reduction Coordinator.

● Engages residents in supportive conversations about substance use and safer use practices.

● Recognize the signs and symptoms of both overdose and over-amping and responds appropriately.

● Prepares sharps bins for pick up by Mainline

● Support residents in accessing appropriate medical care through community partners like MOSH

Crisis Intervention & Deescalation

● Provides support to individuals during periods of dysregulation, while in crisis and while under the influence of alcohol or substances. Supports de-escalation and the ongoing process of the development of residents' own conflict resolution strategies and skills. Supports resident debriefing as needed.

● Engages in crisis intervention as needed and when appropriate, while acknowledging that staff intervention is not always necessary to support safety in the space.

● Monitors the space for security and safety. Regularly checks all fire exits, common spaces, sleeping spaces and outdoor spaces while engaging in walk-throughs.

● Supports residents in accessing Emergency Responders. This includes supporting folks in asserting and understanding their rights in their interactions with Emergency Responders including Police, Fire, Emergency Health Services, and Mobile Mental Health Crisis Support. Complete all relevant documentation after these interactions.

Household Responsibilities

● Engages in the maintenance of a clean and healthy living and working environment in collaboration with the Household Coordinator and members of the staff team. Completes laundry and other specific household tasks as needed.

● Collaborates with the staff team to prepare rooms for new residents. This includes packing up, labeling and storing any belongings left behind by former residents, cleaning and sanitizing bed space following COVID and OH & S protocols, remaking beds, and sweeping and mopping the bed space for new residents. This may include more intensive labour such as painting or minor repairs.

● Informs the Household Coordinator, Program Manager and/or Executive Director of any issues with the building. Provides a written report for submission for the OH&S meeting as required.

● Participates in meal prep as needed, under the direction of the Household Coordinator.

● Completes daily cleaning and safety tasks as outlined in the daily task list.

Documentation & Administration

● Is current in their understanding of all relevant resident and program information as communicated by the staff team, Program Manager and Executive Director.

● Maintains accurate records, updating individual information and pertinent communication notes

● Maintain statistical information. Updates individual information in OTC’s electronic database & HIFIS as required.

● Ensures that support is confidential and that information is not shared unnecessarily or without the individual’s informed consent. All paperwork relevant to confidentiality is organized, as complete as possible, and in a secured location that is accessible to appropriate staff.

● Participates in the maintenance of resident and program documentation, as well as a clear written and verbal communication of pertinent information to the staff team, Program Manager and Executive Director as required.

Other Responsibilities:

● Ensures that all mandatory training are up to date and checks in with the Office Manager for recertification or refreshers are required.

● Has a dedicated OTC email address and checks it a minimum of every three days to ensure that they are current in all relevant information.

● Participates in ongoing personal and professional development which may include presenting to or providing training to colleagues, especially pertaining to best practices in harm reduction, low barrier spaces and any of the barriers experienced by the individuals we support

● Assists in the organization and preparation of household and program events as needed

● Supports staff team with the preparation of monthly program reports as needed. Prepares stats and reports as required.

● Engages in social justice advocacy, research and public education aligned with the mission and vision of OTC

● Attend and actively engage in team meetings as required.

● Is involved in committees as necessary

● Participate in the on-call rotation

This is not an exhaustive list. Other duties as necessary and/or as assigned by the Program

Manager or Executive Director

Qualifications:

● University Degree or Community College Diploma in the Social Services field OR a combination of relevant education and experience acceptable to OTC.

● Relevant experience working with individuals experiencing poverty, criminalization, racialization, food and housing insecurity, substance and alcohol use, mental health challenges and a demonstrated understanding of the associated barriers and challenges of those who are precariously housed or unhoused.

● Ability to connect to individuals and engage in ways that are relevant to them while attentively listening to and responding to identified needs

● Ability to build authentic relationships with individuals from racially and socioeconomically diverse communities.

● Demonstrated commitment and ability to use low-barrier, people-centered support rooted in anti-oppressive & harm-reduction practices. Be both comfortable and familiar with harm reduction principles and practices.

● Demonstrated ability to de-escalate conflict & mediate disputes in a non-confrontational and unbiased manner

● Demonstrated understanding and engagement of healthy boundaries with individuals and within the context of work

● Knowledge of community resources, programs and services

● Ability to work independently, as a member of a team and under pressure.

● Demonstrated organizational skills and ability. Demonstrated initiative in starting and completing tasks.

● Effective written, verbal, interpersonal communication and computer skills.

● Provide Criminal Background and Vulnerable Sector Checks. If you have concerns about anything that may appear on your background checks, please reach out to discuss. We do not want this to be a barrier to your application.

Must have the following or be willing to acquire within the first 3 months of employment.

● Standard First Aid/CPR Level "C"

● De-escalation Training

● Harm Reduction / Naloxone Training

Physical Requirements:

● This is an awake position meaning staff are required to stay awake for their full shift.

Sleeping on shift is grounds for immediate termination.

● Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

● Can safely carry out the duties of the position including being able to lift heavy shelter supplies and physically support individuals with their belongings when needed.

● Must be able to access and navigate different areas of the shelter including stairs and storage areas.

● Common Hazards: conflicts, sharps, bodily fluids

COVID-19 Protocols & Procedures: To support the health and safety of all people living and working in our community, we began implementing preventative health protocols and policies in March 2020. OTC Community Association has made the decision to prioritize community care and will continue to adhere to our masking protocols and other COVID-19 preventative measures. Staff, volunteers and visitors are required to self-screen before each shift. Folks who are sick are encouraged to stay home. All full-time and permanent part-time staff are entitled to paid sick days, as per our collective agreement. Residents are screened with the support of staff, as needed, following NSHA’s current COVID screening guidelines. Rapid self-tests and support to take them are available to residents on-site, on-demand, 24/7. All staff are required to self-test while at work, twice per week. Re4sidents may be asked to wear masks while accessing the communal spaces if NS Health recxommends this or individual resdeints are exhibiting symptoms of COVID 19. Residents are not required to wear masks while in their own rooms or homes unless a staff person is required to support them in that space for an extended period of time. Staff, volunteers and visitors are required to wear masks at all times while on-site or while working off-site in the community, unless actively eating/drinking.

Pay: $ 23.50 / hr Bi-weekly.

Work Term: Permanent

● 40 hours /week Sunday - Thursday

● Potential for Overtime (must be pre-approved by Executive Director)

Benefits that you are deemed to qualify for as agreed upon per the Collective Agreement

● Paid sick days for injury or illness that prevents you from working, prorated to reflect the

length of your term

● Paid Vacation

● Health Insurance

● Wellness Days

This position is part of the SEIU Local 2 Collective Bargaining Unit. Bargaining unit employees are given first consideration.

Out of the Cold is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applicants to self-identify in their cover letter as Indigenous, Black, African Nova Scotian, Person of Colour, Person with a Disability or 2SLGBTQ.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $23.50 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Schedule:

• Night shift

Application question(s):

• In order to be considered for this position, please be sure to include a COVER LETTER.

Work Location: In person