Job Posting
Supportive Housing Worker (Part-Time)
Title: Supportive Housing Worker *female designated position*
Location(s): 494 Lisgar Street, Ottawa, Ontario (Women’s Residence)
Salary: $23.97- $27.04 per hour based on work experience
Hours: 0-16 hours per week (weekend days, evenings, overnight)
Employer: John Howard Society of Ottawa
How To Apply: Please submit your cover letter and resume through the John Howard Society of Ottawa’s website, under the Careers tab at: https://johnhoward.on.ca/ottawa/careers/
Closing Date: August 7th, 2026
About the environment: Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focused on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.
About who we support: Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.
About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal opportunity for success in the hiring process. If you require any accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.
Program Summary: The Lisgar Women’s Residence is a Supportive Housing program that provides semi-independent permanent homes for 29 adult women who have experienced chronic homelessness. In partnership with Minwaashin Lodge, we primarily support Indigenous women and prioritize Indigenous referrals, contributing to a reduction in the number of women living in homeless shelters or otherwise unhoused.
Each resident has their own furnished apartment, and our team is available 24/7 to provide a variety of supports. We work together to ensure our residents can maintain their housing with dignity and care. We support the women while navigating varying complexities related to medical needs, food security, life skills, interpersonal relationships, justice involvement, intimate partners, active addiction, mental health and womanhood. All services are provided through trauma-informed, harm reduction, and housing first philosophies of care.
As a residence that supports primarily Indigenous women, the John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to improving care for Indigenous community members and our Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan guides our work.
Supportive Housing Worker Responsibilities
-
Cultivate a safe and encouraging atmosphere, promoting community and connection
-
Maintain shift routines – meals, medications, grounds checks, activities, guest management
-
Work collaboratively with your shift partner to complete assigned shift duties
-
Respond promptly to crises and de-escalate as needed; intervene when emergencies arise
-
Monitor and enforce guest policy and community safety standards
-
Ensure cleanliness and hygiene standards are maintained within residential units
-
Distribute safe consumption supplies and conduct routine wellness checks
-
Facilitate meaningful engagement – cultural activities, gardening, puzzles, movies, baking, etc.
-
Light meal preparation and basic housekeeping are essential
-
Assist residents with building life skills in unit care, fostering independence and dignity
-
Facilitate excellent collaborative relationships with the team to support client goals
-
Collaborate with case managers to update and maintain resident care plans
-
Document your work and complete other required reports
Successful applicants understand the importance of cultural safety, teamwork, and meaningful engagement. This position will allow you the chance to develop well-rounded transferable skill set in understanding behavior and motivation, addiction psychology, trauma-informed care, gender responsivity, cultural safety, Indigenous wellness, and client advocacy. We also offer a competitive benefit package, along with ongoing opportunities for professional development.
As the successful candidate, you have:
Education and Qualifications:
-
University Degree/College Diploma in a Social Services program, related field, or working towards the completion of one
-
Provide a recent Criminal Record Check for Vulnerable Populations (VSC)
-
Provide valid CPR and First Aid Certification
Preferred Experience:
-
Minimum (1) year working with the homeless population
-
Experience in other housing programs or residential settings
-
Experience working in Harm Reduction environments
-
Bilingualism - Proficiency in Inuktitut, Arabic, or French is considered a strong asset
Knowledge and Skills:
-
Knowledge of the unique experiences of urban Indigenous homelessness
-
Knowledge of the unique experiences of women who have experienced chronic homelessness
-
Awareness of the history and diversity of Indigenous Peoples, including systemic inequities, and can apply this knowledge within your role and interactions
-
Proficiency in establishing meaningful rapport with women who may be experiencing with mental health and substance use challenges
-
Ability to apply and maintain compassionate, consistent boundaries
-
Basic counselling skills to support interactions and follow care plans as required
-
Familiarity with Trauma-Informed, Gender-Responsive, Culturally Competent care
-
Ability to manage challenging situations while maintaining client therapeutic relationship
Core Competencies:
-
Teamwork - Accountable to the team, works respectfully and collaboratively to meet established deliveries, appreciates view of team members
-
Cultural Safety - Deep understanding of anti-racism, systemic barriers, and the ability to foster inclusive environments for Indigenous and diverse populations
-
Interpersonal Skills - Builds strong relationships, works well with others, solicits feedback
-
Initiative -Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion. Uses available downtime to engage in other tasks or responsibilities for the benefit of the site
-
Intellectual and Emotional Boundaries - Maintains professional boundaries with client relationship, including client confidentiality, consistently following protocol & behavior plans
You’ll also be prepared to…
-
Work flexible hours that may include evenings, weekends, and overnights
-
Respond to coverage requests and provide coverage when availability permits
-
Assist in maintaining a positive environment for residents and colleagues
-
Complete assigned housekeeping and report any building deficiencies
-
Be open minded to the unique complexities of supporting people in their homes, including unit care, modeling healthy boundaries, and positive home behavior
-
Participate in quarterly team meetings and engage in professional development
-
Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Lisgar Supportive Housing Training Manual and adhere to all protocols associated with JHS Policy and Procedures
You’re a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work:
-
You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches.
-
Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve.
-
Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all.
-
You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential
-
Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections.
You’re a fit with our organizational culture if you believe:
-
In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighbourhoods in order to foster inclusion and empowerment.
-
In a person-centred approach, recognizing the value, expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self.
-
That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, health promotion and other supports.
-
In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability.
-
In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation.
We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position- only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Fraud Alert / Report a Fraudulent Job Posting
If you believe a job posting on our site may be fraudulent or misleading, please report it immediately by:
Reports may be submitted confidentially. All reports are reviewed by our designated team.
