STREET OUTREACH COUNSELLOR

• Job ID: 51131
• Job Category: Community & Social Services
• Division & Section: Toronto Shelter & Support Services, Outreach and Access
• Work Location: Streets to Homes, 51 Lisgar Street Toronto Ontario
• Job Type & Duration: Full-Time, Temporary (12 months)
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $41.33 - $45.26,  Wage Grade 12
• Shift Information: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 6
• Posting Period: 24-OCT-2024 to 7-NOV- 2024
•  

Major Responsibilities:

• Conducts assessments and intake interviews with clients in a variety of locations: public (e.g., on the sidewalk, in public squares, in parks and ravines, etc.), homeless and low-income service settings (e.g., hostels, drop-in centres, etc.) and institutional settings (e.g., hospitals, court houses, etc) and assess client's functional, income, employment and housing status to determine program eligibility. These services are provided at a variety of times including very early mornings, late evening, nights, weekends and statutory holidays.
• Receives case transfers from Street Outreach Workers and initiates case management to resolve the reason why the client is street involved and provide assistance in preventing relapse of becoming street involved again in the future
• Provides ongoing assessment, case management, care coordination and monitoring of client's needs; monitors and evaluates clients changing needs and coordinates individualized services
• When appropriate, assists clients to identify and access alternative courses of action when community bases services are not appropriate to the needs of the individual
• Follows through on referrals as appropriate and maintains follow up.
• In partnership with Supervisor, Social Assistance, coordinates Street Outreach Workers to accompany clients to appointments as necessary, and/or accompanies the client directly
• Maintains a case load and all required related administrative functions including case notes, documentation, reassessments, forms, applications, etc
• Balances urgent service responses with ongoing new referrals
• Organizes and/or attends case conferences with others to resolve the issues related to the clients' street involvement
• Liaises with non-profit Streets to Homes service providers in the coordination and provision of services to the client as determined in the case plan
• Use community resources effectively to enhance the client's quality of life
• Responds to and investigates enquiries, complaints and emergency situations involving clients and in so responding assesses the situation and presents and implements short-term and long-term solutions, and documents outcomes.
• Collects, documents and evaluates information to determine client's initial/ongoing eligibility, including verifying client information through personal interviews and liaison with client supports, relevant service providers, community agencies, landlords, other Ministries and institutions, etc. Updates and revises client file and case management plan at each point of contact in a timely matter to ensure the availability of up to date information
• Identifies and executes appropriate referrals for services and supports to outside agencies, purchased services and City services informing involved staff of information necessary to assist individuals.
• Advocates on behalf of clients for support, services and benefits with internal and external resources, and engages in active problem solving around each client's difficulties
• Participates in the development of client profiles and service needs by preparing various reports and statistical forms
• Ensures safety and well being of clients accessing the program.
• Resolves conflict situations including client complaints and disputes. Listens, mediates, negotiates and provides support and guidance to resolve issues. Documents outcome.
• Maintains current knowledge of legislation, community services, resources, policies, programs, procedures and issues affecting client population
• Documents shift occurrence information for other staff to keep the proper functioning of the Service Unit
• Participates in program development and delivery
• Compiles and maintains records and related statistics. Submits activity and other reports
• Participates on internal and external committees as requested by Manager
• Handles inquiries, in person or on the telephone, from members of the general public, business operators and street involved persons, requesting a service response
• Develops and nurtures neighbourhood connections and recognition within catchment area served using community development principles
• Liaise with staff from other programs and community agencies (e.g., hospitals, social workers, doctors, courts, immigration, shelters, drop-ins, health clinics, legal programs, other City Programs, etc) to provide program information or in advocating for transfers/placements of clients
• Responds to questions from the general public, business, etc when encountered on the street
• Participates in conducting research activities
• Provides housing support at the Streets to Homes walk-in as required
• Provides follow-up support to housed clients as required including liaising with landlords, working with volunteers, fostering a stable living environment, preventing evictions and ensuring rent is paid in full and on time
• Assists in responding to emergency situations on the street
• Provides support to individuals and groups as required at emergency reception centres and other locations as required

Key Qualifications:
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Degree or Diploma in Social Services or related field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Experience developing and implementing case management plans (i.e. client plans to reach client goals) specifically with clients who are homeless, street involved, and experiencing psycho/social/physical, emotional and/or environmental problems.

You must also have:

• Possession of a valid Ontario Driver's License would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of working with Indigenous populations and/or lived experience as an Indigenous person is considered an asset.
• Ability to source new housing opportunities, recruit new landlords and maintain relationships
• Advanced knowledge of case management relating to street involved activities.
• Ability to assist in program development.
• Working knowledge of applicable legislation, such as the Ontario Works Act and Ontario Disability Support Program, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), Residential Tenancies Act, Mental Health Act and rent geared to income tenancies and guidelines
• Extensive knowledge of resources and services available within the division and the community.
• Familiarity with MS Office and/or the divisional automated systems.
• Ability to work as a team member in a dynamic, complex environment and organize time and workload effectively.
• Ability to work independently while remaining accountable.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with all levels of staff, the public and clients
  while maintaining objectivity.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, community agencies
  and the public.
• Ability to appropriately assess and respond to situations based on, available information and past
  experience.
• Ability to prepare and write reports/records and maintain same.
• Ability to effectively perform job duties with minimum supervision.
• Ability to de-escalate interpersonal conflicts in an effective fashion through crisis intervention techniques.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to work shifts in a potentially 24 hour a day operation and to travel to various locations in a timely manner including working flexible hours which may include overtime, shift work, evenings and weekends.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the job including extensive walking, carrying a backpack with outreach gear, taking public transit.
• Ability to work in a variety of public locations, at a variety of times, to bring services and supports to people who are homeless.
• Ability to provide these services at a variety of times including very early mornings, late evening, nights, weekends and statutory holidays.
• Excellent assessment skills and thorough knowledge of addictions issues, harm reduction, substance use and the Toronto Drug Strategy, issues related to prostitution, panhandling and other methods of income substitution, and street involved behaviour.
• Ability to work in a customer service environment, addressing the service inquiries, requests and complaints of clients, the general public and/or staff.
• Familiarity with government legislation in the area of occupational health and safety.

Police Reference Check (PRC) Requirements:

• Selected candidates will be required to provide a current Police Reference Check as a condition of employment for this position.
• For more information on Hostels Services, please visit our website at http://www.toronto.ca/housing.
• A Police Reference Check program brochure is available at http://www.toronto.ca/housing/employment.htm.

NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Note: The applicant pool from this job posting may be used for similar summer job opportunities in various divisions.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.