POSITION SUMMARY

The position is responsible for coordinating community-based services to youth without secure housing. Responsibilities include securing or maintaining housing for clients, ensuring school attachment during clients housing crisis, provide brief family mediation as appropriate to secure clients housing, facilitating access to community services, crisis counselling, advocacy, case management and inter-agency coordination. The Youth Reconnect Worker reports to the Program Manager and is directly accountable to the Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• University degree and/or college diploma in social work, social service, child & youth, psychology, or related field

Knowledge

• 1 – 2 years work experience in outreach based youth programs with a focus on housing
• Experience related to the engagement of youth with a focus on building community capacity
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a community and with a team of service providers
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences/needs of the youth community and a commitment to a youth-centred approach to this work
• Previous youth outreach and/or community development experience

Attributes

• Must possess good oral communication skills
• Must be solutions oriented
• Must be in good physical and mental health
• Must have a valid driver’s licence
• Must have access to reliable vehicle
• Outgoing personality and comfortable in approaching people and beginning conversations
• Demonstrated ability to develop and facilitate group functions and activities
• Experience in communicating with small and large groups

Technical Skills

• Computer skills with particular knowledge of the internet, email and Microsoft Office products
• Ability to manage client files in online database (i.e., HIFIS, COTS)

DUTIES & REPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and facilitate access to housing to allow a client to live in their preferred community.
• Coordinate the development of community based housing plans to address client’s needs; and provide for the involvement of community resources/agencies.
• Link with school officials to ensure clients remain school attached and/or permit for re-entry.
• Link individual youth to appropriate services locally and regionally.
• Develop client support networks to decrease and/or eliminate client isolation in the community.
• Liaise between the RAFT and other community agencies in the community serving precariously housed youth.
• Provide case management support and follow-up for community based housing plans and facilitate coordination of services.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of community services and resources, and provide consultation to community support agencies.
• Maintain appropriate files, record and statistics needed for generating accurate and timely reports.
• Participate in ongoing education and development relevant to the position held.
• Participate in general staff meeting and Service Delivery Team meetings as required.
• Perform other related duties as required.