Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker

Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Norfolk County is where big vision meets unlimited potential.

As one of Ontario’s largest single-tier municipalities and home to over 70,000 people, Norfolk is bold, diverse, and proudly local - a municipality that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and connection. Here, you’ll find endless opportunities to grow your skills, expand your ideas, and shape your career.

As a Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker, you’ll be the first point of contact for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, assessing their needs and connecting them to housing and community supports. Your work will help prevent homelessness, improve housing stability, and positively impact the quality of life of vulnerable residents.

Big vision. Real opportunities. Unlimited potential. That’s Norfolk.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide customer service and respond to inquiries from people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness in a variety of settings
• Assess the housing needs of the individual or family using the appropriate assessment tool (VI-SPDAT or SPDAT)
• Divert people away from homeless services as appropriate by referring to internal and external supports
• Facilitate admission to the emergency housing program as appropriate
• Support the individual or family in connecting to natural supports, internal supports within the Social and Housing Services Department or external supports within the community to divert admission to emergency housing and prevent homelessness
• Facilitate admission to the emergency housing program when diversion from homelessness is not possible by connecting the individual or family to the external service delivery partner for the emergency housing program
• Maintain appropriate client records and service delivery data in the relevant departmental software program (e.g. HIFIS)
• Other administrative tasks as assigned and related to the delivery of the Homelessness Prevention Services program

Knowledge and Experience:

• Two (2) year diploma in a related discipline such as Social Services Worker, Human Services, Addictions Counselling
• Additional training and/or certification in mental health, addictions and/or trauma counselling would be considered an asset
• Over two (2) years’ experience in a Social Services related position with direct experience in crisis intake and support, in-house shelter services, addictions and/or mental health intake and case management.

Skills and Abilities:

• Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence and access to a reliable vehicle
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of all community services and supports
• Experience working directly with people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of being homeless 
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the risk factors for homelessness and the barriers to achieving housing stability for vulnerable people
• Training and/or experience in motivational interviewing and the use of assessment tools such as the VI-SPDAT and SPDAT Experience using homeless related data bases such as HIFIS
• Experience working with crisis situations and conflict resolution for vulnerable populations with tri-morbidity
• Computer knowledge in corporate standard software (Microsoft Office) and department specific software, including database programs

Posting #: CUPE 65.26

Position: Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker

Position Code: 7SHPIW

Status: Temporary Full Time (date of hire for approximately 12 months)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employee Group: CUPE Local 4700

Wage: $28.59 - $35.70 per hour

Hours Worked per Week: 35

Division: Emergency and Social Services

Department: Housing and Social Services

Reports to: Program Supervisor, Housing and Homeless Prevention Services

Location: Simcoe, ON (primarily in-office, with a combination of site work and potential flexible work arrangements based on operational requirements of the role)

Posting Period: August 10, 2026 - August 24, 2026

How to Apply:

• Ensure the file extension for your resume document is .doc, .docx or .pdf
• If you are electing to include a cover letter, the cover letter and resume must be uploaded as 1 file.
• Find out more information about Norfolk County here: Employment at Norfolk County - NorfolkCounty.ca

The Corporation of Norfolk County is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.

The Corporation of Norfolk County does not use Artificial Intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing, or the selection of candidates.

Successful applicants are required to provide the Employer with a current Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector where required and verification of education.

Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those to be interviewed will be contacted.