Position Title: Encampment and Community Outreach Worker
Competition: 25-046
Reports to: Assistant Manager of Community Services
Union: BCGEU
Compensation: $27.39-$29.69/hour
Schedule: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (70 hours bi-weekly)
Posting Closing Date: July 18, 2025 at 4pm

QUALIFICATIONS (MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS):

Note: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

EDUCATION:

• Diploma in Social Work or Psychology, OR Counselling, Mental Health or Addictions Worker qualifications or other related social services field from college or university
• Conflict resolution/crisis prevention training and experience required

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum one (1) year recent related experience

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of addiction, mental health, homelessness and poverty
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals who have multiple barriers to stable housing
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and be part of an integrated community team
• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model
• Knowledge of local community resources
• Awareness of harm reduction and ‘Housing First’ theory and practice
• Demonstrated conflict management/crisis prevention skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, staff and community professionals
• Proficient in MS Office programs including Word, Outlook and Excel

1. Provides a range of support services to clients who have multiple barriers to housing, including:

• conducting comprehensive assessments through direct one-to-one consultations with clients;
• providing guidance, crisis intervention, as well as referral services to other community agencies, including application for income assistance;
• seeking out and approaching people living ‘in the rough’/street entrenched with the intention of establishing a rapport and building trust;
• supporting clients by providing educational materials and guidance regarding how to obtain and maintain housing;
• problem-solving and skills training with clients to facilitate securing affordable, adequate, safe housing;
• maintaining concise and accurate client files including current case notes and information about each client’s progress with their respective case plans;
• providing interim case management services during the period of assessment and placement in housing

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides a range of support services to clients who have multiple barriers to housing, including:

• conducting comprehensive assessments through direct one-to-one consultations with clients;
• providing guidance, crisis intervention, as well as referral services to other community agencies, including application for income assistance;
• seeking out and approaching people living ‘in the rough’/street entrenched with the intention of establishing a rapport and building trust;
• supporting clients by providing educational materials and guidance regarding how to obtain and maintain housing;
• problem-solving and skills training with clients to facilitate securing affordable, adequate, safe housing;
• maintaining concise and accurate client files including current case notes and information about each client’s progress with their respective case plans;
• providing interim case management services during the period of assessment and placement in housing.

1. Develops and maintains on-going working, professional relationships with community members, landlords, property owners/managers, in collaboration with the Landlord Liaison position, including:

• providing mediation and problem-solving services to resolve disputes/disagreements between clients and landlords;
• responding quickly and effectively to tenancy issues such as damages to the unit, problems with hygiene, bed bugs, hoarding etc.;
• coordinating and participating in client move out activities; and
• following up with landlords on a regular basis to identify and mitigate potential housing retention issues before they escalate and become costly and difficult to manage.

1. Manage, in conjunction with the Assistant Manager of Community Services, program specific private market subsides, by:

• facilitating multi dwelling housing sites for encampment related individuals and other such housing models;
• manage housing sites in collaboration with Pacifica Housing’s property management services;
• case managing individuals in collaboration with community based housing first organizations that offer support and case management services.

1. As a member of the Community Services team, performs a variety of administrative duties and attends professional development functions, including:

• initiating and participating in program and policy assessment;
• attending bi-weekly team meetings to debrief cases, provide and receive peer support, provide up-dates on community status and exchange information on community resources;
• tracking client housing activities and compiling monthly statistical reports;
• maintaining the BC Housing Data Base and all associated processes such as reports and confidential documents;
• attending pertinent workshops/seminars and conferences;
• supporting and participating in agency/association wide initiatives such as public relations presentations, community forums, strategic planning events and information seminars;

1. Performs other related duties as necessary.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR ROLE:

• Completion of a Criminal Record Check is required before employment commences.
• First Aid Certification is required.
• Naloxone administration training is required.
• Must have valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle with a minimum of $2 million liability ‘business class’ insurance.

ROLE-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Relationship Building: Intermediate
Self-Management: Advanced
Decision Making: Intermediate