The Outreach Program is designed to alleviate risk factors associated with homelessness by offering fundamental services supporting health, safety and well-being.
Services are delivered through a site located on Main Street and in other such settings where people living unsheltered congregate.
Position scope
Outreach Workers offer services to help people where they are at in their lives. Change is a journey and we acknowledge that.
Outreach Workers will apply a strengths-based, trauma informed, harm reduction and non-judgmental approach. The core value of ‘human dignity for all’ should be exemplified in conduct, attitude and approach. Workers must be always conscious of this responsibility and expectation.
Outreach Workers are responsible for building relationships with people living unsheltered for the purpose of providing immediate support, intervention, and connections with mainstream social services and housing programs. Workers are expected to work in a highly participatory manner.
Duties
- Engage and develop relationships with individuals homeless and at-risk of homelessness.
- Conduct well-being checks with a focus on health and safety needs.
- Act as an advocate, provide general information and coordinate connections to services based on individuals’ self-identified needs.
- Assist individuals in accessing assistance -emergency shelter, urgent health care, harm reduction services, protection services.
- Transport individuals to services as needed.
- Work collaboratively with and engage service providers to provide resources in community settings.
- Maintain working relationships with partnering agencies such as the Primary Health Care Centre, Food Bank, Women’s Resource Centre, RCMP, emergency staff at Flin Flon General Hospital, family members and caregivers.
- Educate members of the public on issues of homelessness.
- Follow Health and Safety Policies and standards.
- Maintain up-to date files, records and statistics of individuals served, outreach services provided, case notes and other general reporting as required.
- Daily maintenance of work site and transportation vehicle.
- Other duties assigned as relevant to the Program.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Completion of High School or GED.
- Experience in front line work, including outreach services, other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Excellent verbal andwritten communication, as well as documentation skills to maintain reports and files. Competence in Microsoft Office and the Internet.
An understanding of underlying causes of homelessness.
Experience and skill in working and communicating with Indigenous cultures, and a commitment to working with diverse populations.
- A non-judgmental attitude with individuals experiencing chronic (or acute) mental health issues, intoxication and other behavioral issues.
- Knowledge of community agencies/programs that work with individuals homeless, at-risk of homelessness, vulnerable populations in the community.
- Ability to develop working relationships with community agencies/programs and other key stakeholders.
- Ability to respond appropriately, decisively, and effectively in crisis situations and in stressful environments.
Must have valid driver’s license.
- Ability to work within a teamwork structure and with minimal supervision. Ability to multi-task and prioritize.
- Physical and emotional health and well-being is important as individuals are expected to constantly communicate and engage with others.
- Emergency first aid, non-violent crisis intervention training, conflict resolution, mental health first aid, verbal judo, suicide intervention will be considered an asset.
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, a clear Child Abuse Registry Check and a clear Adult Abuse Registry check.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00-$22.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35 per week
Schedule:
Work Location: In person
Manitoba Government, Cranberry Portage, MB