Casual Supportive Housing Worker

CMHA Kelowna & District is hiring casual Supportive Housing Workers for our Supportive Housing Programs. To maintain employment, casual employees are expected to work a minimum of three (3) shifts a calendar month with one (1) being an overnight shift, provided the shifts are available. We have five Supportive Housing Sites located throughout Kelowna that have been successfully housing and supporting individuals who are unhoused or at risk of being unhoused for more than 20 years.

The Supportive Housing Worker (SHW) provides direct support working within a 24-hour, 7 days per week supportive housing environment with adults struggling with a variety of challenges including homelessness, substance use, mental health and mental illness. SHWs ensure that program participants’ physical, emotional, social, and medical needs are met and provide a safe and secure environment to enhance quality of life through activities of daily living, the development of life skills and fostering independence.

• Recognizes participants’ strengths and honors their abilities while offering flexible person-centered support in establishing and progressing towards goals
• Provides feedback and input regarding participants’ needs and progress to the Team Lead and other involved community professionals
• Supports the Recreation Worker with various participant-focused social and recreational activities
• Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet participant needs and facilitates referrals
• Provides life skills training such as housekeeping, personal self-management skills, and assistance with using public transit to get to appointments
• Ensures a safe and healthy site for participants
• Completes indoor and outdoor housekeeping duties, including but not limited to sweeping, mopping, emptying garbage bins, yard work, shoveling snow, etc.
• Monitors medication and provides medication reminders
• Recognize and respond to potential emergency situations such as crisis response, mental health and substance use, suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation to ensure the safety of participants and staff
• Manages crises, including providing timely response in providing CPR and Naloxone as part of overdose response
• Completes and maintains related records and documentation including daily program participant logs, case related documentation, progress reports
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Grade 12 or equivalent education required
• Criminal Record Check clearance in the Vulnerable Sector
• Diploma in Human Services or related field considered an asset
• Certificates in First Aid, CPR, Naloxone and Food Safe considered an asset
• Experience working in a Supportive Housing environment considered an asset
• Experience working in the Community Social Service sector considered an asset
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to engage respectfully and develop rapport with program participants with multiple barriers
• Ability to work in cooperation with team members and independently
• Understanding of and commitment to working with people experiencing mental health concerns and substance use
• Working knowledge of community-based resources
• Ability to maintain consistent professional boundaries
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Understanding of working with a Trauma Informed lens
• Understanding of Harm Reduction and Housing First principles
• Ability to organize and prioritize competing program and participant needs
• Strong attention to detail for documenting participant logs and critical incidents
• Ability to recognize changes in residents, analyze and resolve challenges
• Problem-s…