GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
The John Howard Society of Nova Scotia (JHSNS) is seeking a compassionate, organized, and community-minded Housing Support Worker to help individuals and families access and maintain safe, stable housing throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality.
Working within a trauma-informed and person-centered framework, the Housing Support Worker provides intensive case management and housing navigation support for individuals & families experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This role works collaboratively with internal teams, landlords, service providers, and community partners to support positive long-term housing outcomes.
The John Howard Society of Nova Scotia (JHSNS) has been actively serving our communities since 1950. Our mission is effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime. We work collaboratively with clients, government and community agencies to support individuals and families who have come into conflict with the law or who are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system. Our core activities include direct service provision, community education, research, resource development and advocacy.
We encourage applications from community members of diverse backgrounds, including individuals of the BIPOC Community (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) and the LGBTQ2S+ Community. We encourage applicants to self-identify.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES:
● Provide intensive case management and housing support to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
● Support clients in accessing safe and affordable housing through housing searches, applications, viewings, and rent supplement processes.
● Develop collaborative, person-centered housing plans that reflect client goals, strengths, and support needs.
● Conduct intake assessments, service planning, documentation, and ongoing case coordination.
● Register and maintain client records within HIFIS, By-Names Data, and Coordinated Access Systems.
● Participate in case conferencing, coordinated access meetings, and interdisciplinary service planning.
● Facilitate outreach to build strong working relationships with landlords, property management companies, community agencies, and government partners.
● Support clients with systems navigation related to housing, income support, health, and community resources.
● Maintain accurate documentation, reports, and case notes in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.
● Promote inclusive, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed practices in all areas of service delivery, with a focus on quality-of-life outcomes for clients.
● Understands and follows JHSNS policies, procedures, operational guidelines and service delivery model.
● Provides vision and professionalism in support of JHSNS Mandate, Mission statement and Service Delivery Model.
● Completes Community Assessment interviews with collateral contacts and writes reports for submission to Correctional Service Canada. (Must be willing to enter persons' homes independently to conduct interviews.) (Halifax Position only)
COORDINATES CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
● Responsible for carrying out intensive case management.
● Demonstrates and encourages problem solving and contingency planning among housing and transition teams in order to support participants facing complex barriers.
● Role models appropriate interviewing, active listening and supportive skills with a thorough knowledge of community resources; builds and maintains a strong positive relationship with case workers.
● Empowers and engages participants to co-construct housing plans and establish short and long-term goals. This includes the development and enhancement of core life skills, such as financial management.
● Establishes normative practice to regularly assess housing plans and redesign plans as necessary, considering ongoing/recurring evaluation of a client’s changing circumstances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
● Potential exposure to hazardous material.
● This role supports individuals experiencing complex mental health, addictions, trauma, and housing challenges in fast-paced community settings. The role requires an understanding of the behavioral results of trauma.
● Working with participants may result in situations leading to increased stress.
● Challenging, fast pace and constantly changing environment, with multiple interruptions and competing demands.
● Office setting & community work environment. May require long periods of sitting, lifting heavy items, walking within the community, etc.
EDUCATION:
● A Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, or Human Services would be an asset.
● Equivalent combinations of education, lived experience, and frontline community work experience will be considered.
EXPERIENCE:
● Required: Must provide a satisfactory Driver's Abstract and a valid driver’s license. The incumbent must have a reliable personal motor vehicle and be able to obtain liability insurance (minimum $2 Million) coverage.
● Required: Must complete a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check. (Required as part of site clearance required for Halifax Regional Office and clearance for entry into provincial correctional facilities.)
● Required: Demonstrated experience in front-line service delivery using strength-based, action-oriented approaches for systems navigation across the Social Determinants of Health.
● Required: Previous experience in conducting in-depth intake assessments/motivational interviewing, case management processes (including record keeping), developing support plans and report writing.
● Required: Demonstrated ability to respond to concerns and situations with professionalism, diplomacy and discretion.
● Asset: 3 years experience working in an intensive case management or housing support role.
● Asset: Experience with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc).
● Asset: First Aid and CPR certificate, Naloxone Training, NVCI Training.
● Asset: Knowledge of Nova Scotia Residential Tenancy Act.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS:
● Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
● Demonstrated strong organizational and analytical skills.
● Ability to interact and communicate effectively with a wide variety of organizations.
● Ability to operate independently and exercise sound judgement.
● Ability to create an environment that fosters inclusion and a respect for diversity.
● Demonstrated planning and organizing skills to set priorities and goals.
● High degree of cultural competence or cultural sensitivity.
● High level of empathy and compassion.
● Working knowledge of harm reduction approaches.
● Knowledge of mental health, addictions and homelessness.
● Ability to facilitate the learning of others through effective coaching, consulting and presentation skills.
● Strong organizational and time management skills required.
● Work efficiently as a team member and independently. Ability to be flexible, work positively and collaboratively as a team member.
TRAVEL:
● Frequent travel within the Halifax Regional Municipality area is required and occasional travel elsewhere in the province.
● Must be willing to provide accompaniment and transportation support to clients, including transporting clients in personal vehicle.
● Eligible for mileage reimbursement in accordance with JHSNS policies.
HOURS OF WORK:
● 35 hours per week.
● Periods where you will be required to be on call.
● Regular work hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. However, due to the nature of the work you may be required to work outside of those scheduled hours (evenings, weekends and/or holidays).
POSITION TYPE & BENEFITS
● Full Time, Permanent
● Group Health & Dental Benefits
● RRSP (after 1 year employment)
● Leave entitlements
● Training & professional development opportunities.
COMPENSATION
● $29/hour
HOW TO APPLY:
Please apply through Indeed. If you have any questions regarding the posting or application process please contact [email protected] or 902-429-6429 ext. 115. If you are an internal applicant, please apply via indeed and email the relevant Team Lead regarding your application.
This application will close June 12th, at 4:30pm ADT. Please submit your application prior to this deadline. Any applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
We would like to thank all applicants. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $29.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
