Street Outreach Worker-Full Time

Who We Are

For more than 130 years The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church each year we help more than 2 million people providing necessities such as food clothing and addition we support people experiencing unemployment addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission vision and values of hope service dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

POSITION PURPOSE SUMMARY:

Street outreach workers participate as members of various 2-person teams working with the street entrenched population to ensure their basic needs are being met while encouraging and assisting them in moving towards the initial steps of securing housing. There are 3 specialty teams within the position - emergency response interim case management and encampment engagement.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Share driving responsibility and safe operation of Street Outreach Van during 8 hr shift

Connect and engage with homeless individuals where they are physically emotionally and spiritually

Provide mobile on-site assessments including provision of outreach supplies referrals and transportation to safe shelter

Gather pertinent information and complete necessary forms such as consents referrals VI-SPDAT assessments and registry applications on behalf of homeless individuals

Provide intervention services in the event of crisis and contact appropriate authorities when necessary

Refer clients to other outreach and services as appropriate

Log and case-note all contacts and notation of service provided in multiple document formats

Accept referrals on behalf of the Housing Response team by completing VI-SPDAT and place clients on a prioritization list for service based on acuity

Provide Interim case management of those on the prioritization list that score moderate and high acuity until matched with a Housing Based Case Manager

Assist those who are scoring in the low acuity range to self-resolve their homelessness through linking to resources and life skills building

Ensure weekly follow-up is provided to all clients known to be sleeping outdoors

Collaborate with community partners to provide services to locate clients and connect clients with appropriate services

Manage a group schedule on Outlook to ensure all clients receive proper follow up

Participate in case conferences to update management on the progress of each street living individual

Complete full vehicle checks/inspections at beginning of each shift and maintain all pertinent vehicle paperwork

Ensure that the outreach vehicle is stocked with basic needs and supplies prior to conducting outreach activities and ensure the vehicle is returned at the end of each shift with a full tank of gas

In certain circumstances collaborate with team member on creation and adherence to safety plans

Occasionally may be required to conduct outreach by ones self during day light hours equipped with cell phone with regular check-ins with Ottawa Booth Centre backpack and logbook

Emergency Response

Conduct wellness checks and provide emergency transports for those in need

Assist Ottawa Police and EMS with diversion calls

Respond to calls from concerned citizens referred through 311

Intake new clients on to the prioritization list for housing services

Dispersing emergency supplies to homeless individuals

When no calls are in queue assist the other two teams with workload

When too many calls are in queue dispatch/triage calls appropriately out to other teams if available

Interim Case Management

Provide interim case management for homeless clients pending being matched to a Housing Based Case Manager

Assist clients with initial steps required for Housing Based Case Management matching. These include:

Confirming people meet the mandate by checking sleep spots and encampments and working with security teams and the business sector when needed to confirm people are frequently living in environments unfit for human habitation

Completing VI Consent and VI SPDAT assessment tool

Applying for and securing proof of Canadian Citizenship

Applying for and securing proof of ongoing income

Completing and submitting Registry applications including those with homeless status priority applications

Ensuring repayment agreements are reached between previous non-profit landlords (may be out of municipality) and clients for any arrears incurred in their past

Maintain positive community partner collaboration (i.e. Community Health Centers Variety of Indigenous sector Services OCDC Shelters Drop-ins. OW ODSP etc.)

Encampment Engagement

Visit known encampments regularly to assist clients with accessing housing services.

Assist various stakeholders with addressing and responding to community concerns regarding encampments and large groups.

Interact with homeless who are congregating in large groups to see what resources they need and to see if they need to be connected to housing services.

Complete risk assessments prior to each engagement

May be required to work outdoors in inclement weather walk long distances traversing difficult environments.

Physical/Cognitive Demands:

Lift up to 50 pounds with assistance

Support and assist clients in safely entering and exiting Outreach van

Sit and/or drive a vehicle for long periods

Physically maneuver vehicle through unfamiliar and challenging outdoor terrains

Able to perform in an environment with multiple distractions including the kind incurred while driving

Able to make quick appropriate collaborative decisions under competing priorities and situations

Health and Safety:

Adheres to all health and safety policies and procedures in place; complies with all instructions from the employer concerning health and safety as per the Occupational Health and Safety Act and WSIB

Ensures all procedures rules and guidelines for the safety and security of clients and staff are enforced and respected

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Governance Boards and Councils: None

Internal:

Work collaboratively with all street outreach speciality teams

External:

Ottawa shelters community partners emergency management services and hospitals

MANAGERIAL/TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY:

Coordinator of Outreach & Housing Services

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

Ensure proper use of and tracking of gas cards and various gift cards

Responsible for maintaining receipts for all gift and gas card purchases as per Ottawa Booth Centre policy

WORKING CONDITIONS:

May deal with potentially angry and aggressive clients

May encounter verbal abuse

Will deal with highly intoxicated resistant individuals

May be required to deal with client overdose and other medical situations

Required to meet with clientele at night after dark in unconventional environments (parks under bridges etc.)

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with The Salvation Armys Mission Statement in a professional manner exemplifying Christian standards of conduct.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Qualifications and Certifications:

Relevant post-secondary education in social services with training in harm reduction addiction and mental health service or equivalent work experience need to review

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

Two years experience in direct client service with the homeless ideally in outreach setting

Demonstrated ability to de-escalate situations and appropriately interact with intoxicated individuals

Two years experience in direct case management with the homeless population considered a strong asset

Administration of NARCAN and or NARCAN training is a strong asset

Skills and Capabilities (examples provided below):

Proven ability to make sound decisions

Naturally operate with safety first mind set

Excellent inter-personal skills

Be comfortable working in unconventional environments such as under bridges un-cleared NCC land etc.

Have excellent oral and written skills in English

Bilingualism (English and French) is a strong asset

At minimum a 2-year valid G class drivers license and current clean drivers abstract

A clear Police Reference Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening is required

Experience or training in Motivational Interviewing Assertive Engagement Housing First Principles and Best Practices SPDAT delivery Narcan/Noloxone delivery 1st Aid CPR UMAB or NVCI an asset

Hours:1 position Monday-Friday Rotational 11:15am-7:15pm and 7pm - 3am

1 position - Sat-Wed Rotational 11:15am-7:15pm and 7pm - 3am

The Salvation Army offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment process. If you are contacted to participate in an interview or screening process please advise us if you require accommodation.

We thank all applicants however only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions internal equity and candidate experience skills and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.