Street Outreach Worker

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 shelter. In 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. Street Outreach workers are required to work various 8-hour shifts that could be days, evening, overnight, weekends and/or rotational shifting. 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 hour 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

·         Responsible to log and case-note, all contacts and notation of service provided to clients as well as follow up with clients known to sleep outdoors

·         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

·         Assist in ensuring that donations, supplies and items required for operation are conducted

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

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

• Perform other work-related duties assigned

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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

• Confirm potential clients meet the program mandate and assist those individuals with the initial steps required to attain housing including completion of assessment tools, application and securing of documents such as birth certificates and proof of ongoing income

• 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.

• 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.)

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Encampment Engagement

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

• Assist various stakeholders by 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.

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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 vehicles through unfamiliar and challenging outdoor terrains

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

• Have a non-judgmental attitude towards the homeless population and the struggles they deal with daily.

• Ability to de-escalate situations and make quick, appropriate, collaborative decisions under competing priorities and situations is imperative

·         Must be able to work in unfavorable weather conditions such as rain and cold

·         Must be able to walk distances through parks, open spaces as well as urban spaces

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

• Work collaboratively with other internal programs with OBC

External:

• Ottawa shelters, community partners, emergency management services and hospitals

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY:  

• None

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.)
• Required to work various 8 hours shifts consisting of days, evenings and overnight rotational shifts

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with The Salvation Army’s 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

• Have a thorough knowledge of homelessness and of issues facing clients

• Administration of NARCAN and or NARCAN training is a strong asset

Skills and Capabilities (examples provided below):

• Proven ability to make sound decisions

• Ability and willingness to respect, promote, and support the mission, vision, and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities

• Knowledgeable and/or trained in harm reduction, addiction and mental health services

• Naturally operate with ‘safety first’ mind set

• Excellent inter-personal skills

• Ability to identify sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences

• Must be sensitive to and respectful of cultural and lifestyle diversity

• Must demonstrate a positive attitude towards the homeless and individuals with substance abuse and concurrent problems, including mental health concerns

• 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 driver’s 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

• This position is part of a unionized workplace

2 Weekend Fixed Overnight positions 11:00 PM to 7:30 AM

Starting Salary at $26.10 per hour

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $0.00 to $0.00 with a maximum of $0.00.

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 [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.