Search Homelessness Services Association of BC

Job Description / Duties

The City of New Westminster is seeking a compassionate and experienced Homelessness Livability Supervisor to join our newly created Crises Response Team, which is tasked with supporting people in the community who are struggling with homelessness and living with medical, mental health, or substance use issues. As the lead field staff person, you will make first contact with people who are unhoused and maybe living in encampments. You will be responsible for enforcing City bylaws related to this area of work and providing supervision to the Crises Response Team, which is comprised of an encampment safety officer and community outreach workers.
Duties:
• Meeting with people who are unsheltered and establishing clear expectations and requirements of City bylaws, including those related to sheltering.
• Liaising with members of the Crises Response Team and other City Departments to support unsheltered people and to gain compliance with City bylaws.
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships and understanding with people who are unsheltered.
• Developing short-term strategies to deal with various situations, including gaining voluntary compliance.
• Providing culturally appropriate, safe, and trauma-informed services in a variety of environments dependent on the needs of the individual. Particular attention should be paid to Indigenous individuals who may have previous negative experiences with government services and institutional settings.
• Following-up and addressing business and resident complaints that arise from people who may be unsheltered or have medical, mental health, or substance use issues.
• Providing information, resources, and referral to assist unsheltered people to obtain services from provincial and community-based service providers.
• Dealing confidently and respectfully with potentially volatile and unpredictable crisis situations, including those in which mental health and substance use issues are factors with worker safety being the first consideration.
• Identifying and developing relationships and working collaboratively with organizations and service providers, including Indigenous-based, that support unsheltered people in the community.
• Reporting on client and program outcomes and challenges to inform progress and overall design and direction of the pilot program.
• Supervising and supporting the other members of the Crises Response Team

Qualifications / Required Skills

• Certificate in Community Mental Health Work or equivalent education, training, or work experience.
• Enrolled in or completion of Bylaw Compliance, Enforcement, and Investigation Skills Level 1.
• Two years recent related experience working with unsheltered individuals and those living with mental health and substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience.
• One year of experience supervising staff.
• An Indigenous background or experience or training with Indigenous culture and practices is an asset.
• Knowledge of legislation such as the Mental Health Act and the Guardianship Act.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse and racialized populations.
• Knowledge of available programs, their interrelationships, and their function in delivering care in the community. Knowledge of such programs in New Westminster is an asset.
• Ability to coordinate, prepare and maintain a variety of correspondence and records related to the work.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to work non-standard hours.
• Valid BC Class 5 Drivers’ License.
• Ability to successfully pass and maintain a clear Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check.

Additional Information

Apply by sending your cover letter and resume in one document at www.newwestcity.ca/employment.

Applications for this exciting opportunity will be open until December 10, 2023.

To support a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community; women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized individuals, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversity of our workforce, are encouraged to express their interest.

New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halq'eméylem-speaking peoples. It is acknowledged by the City that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. We are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

We thank all applicants for their interest and advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position is only open to those legally entitled to work in Canada.

Salary: $42.45 - $50.13 per hour (2024 rates)

Contact Information

Apply by sending your cover letter and resume in one document at www.newwestcity.ca/employment.

Employer Profile

The City of New Westminster has earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery and outstanding employee relations. We offer our employees great work-life balance; competitive salaries and benefit plans (including pension); education and training opportunities; and challenging and rewarding work.

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 70,000 residents. It is a city rich in history with a viable and thriving economy, a population representative of the diversity of the region, and is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision.