Bilingual Case Coordinator, Housing Services (Taggart Family Y Location)

Overview:

As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide lasting solutions. Serving thousands of people across our region annually, we are a leader and valued partner in creating a vibrant and healthy community where everyone belongs and can reach their full potential. This position requires a commitment to the Y mission and core values of responsibility, honesty, caring, respect, and inclusion, which form the foundation of all Y programs and services.

Working for the Y

Are you looking to use your skills and unique gifts to make a real difference in your community? The YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region is a great workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. The YMCA-YWCA provides hundreds of employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits, and growth opportunities. Whether you are starting out in your career or a seasoned professional, you will find many exciting opportunities to achieve your personal and career goals. Some of the benefits of working for the Y include:

What we offer

At the Y, you will be part of a vibrant and diverse network of people whose shared vision is to change lives and make our communities home to the healthiest children, teens, adults, and families. Our competitive wage and benefit package includes:

• Free Y membership.
• Health and dental insurance for full-time, permanent employees
• Up to 25 vacation days per year, including two float days and one birthday vacation for full-time, permanent staff
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Long-term disability and life insurance for full-time, permanent employees.
• Workplace pension plan available for full-time, permanent employees
• Extended Maternity leave to all our staff up to 6 more months after the year of leave.

What you offer?

Some of the tasks of this position include:

Direct Service

• Engage clients and assess their needs using a case management approach, to determine the level of support required
• Work with clients to develop individualized plans with realistic goals to resolve issues that lead to homelessness, and update the plan as required
• Demonstrate advocacy and communication with OW/ODSP/Registry and other relevant community partners
• Assist clients with finding permanent housing and applications for social housing, and help clients search for private market housing where affordable. Provide active support during housing search, including providing assistance and information on application packages for the social housing registry, negotiate and advocate with landlords and the Social Housing Registry, OW, and ODSP, where required, assist clients with interviews, transportation to viewings, lease signings, etc., and facilitate or arrange to move into housing, when necessary

• Provide life-skills coaching, crisis intervention and safety planning for households fleeing from abuse or violence, and information about landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities
• Refer clients to services that would provide short and long-term support, if necessary, i.e., Social Assistance, Immigration, Childcare, Families First, CMHA, CAS, etc.
• Attend ongoing weekly meetings with households to ensure progress is being made with the individualized action plan for the household, including discharge and exit planning

Collaboration

• Participate in meetings with other service providers and stakeholders in the homelessness and supportive housing systems to share information, problem-solve, identify emerging issues, and coordinate services
• Make presentations about the programs to referring agencies and collateral services
• Collaborate with the City of Ottawa regarding Shelter clients to provide effective case management
• Collaborate with collateral agency outreach personnel to provide quality service delivery
• Work collaboratively with other Y departments to ensure a high standard of program delivery

Administrative Duties

• Provide excellent service to clients with a quality focus that meets or exceeds standards
• Maintain standards for reporting and operating procedures
• Prepare notices and forms consistent with Shelter operations
• Maintain accurate client (HIFIS) data entry and file information
• Maintain client confidentiality and ensure all files and records are secure
• Maintain accurate documentation of events/incidents and records in files, logs, or on appropriate forms, and communicate information to team members and supervisors, as required
• Maintain the system(s) of collecting and recording detailed client statistics and prepare reports, as required
• Support the maintenance of the high level of occupancy in the program
• Maintain current resource information relevant to in-house client needs

Other

• Demonstrate commitment to Y values of caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility within the work environment, when interacting with others and within the community
• Attend staff meetings and participate as a member of the broader Y (committees, activities, events)
• Assist with Association philanthropy initiatives
• Assist in covering the Housing Support Office as required

What qualifications and abilities are we looking for?

At YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region, we strive to ensure our employees are a fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education

• Related post-secondary degree, college diploma, or equivalent experience

Language

• Fluency in both Official Languages (French and English)
• Proficiency in other languages is an asset

Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• Minimum 2 years experience in social services preferably in the non-profit sector
• Knowledge and sensitivity in dealing with individuals with homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues
• Excellent knowledge of community resources
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and a reasonable level of computer skills
• Some flexibility in hours of work to meet program needs
• First Aid, CPR, and suicide intervention training

Additional Requirements:

• Applicants must already have a valid permit to work in Canada.
• Criminal Reference Check for the Vulnerable Sector, not more than 6 months old is required
• Annually all staff must complete the mandatory training for the Protecting Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Persons, and submit the certificate of completion.

Core Competencies:

• Organizational Awareness and Understanding: Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the vision, mission, and values of the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA.

• Planning and Organization: Ability to establish a clearly defined and effective course of action for self and others to accomplish short and long-term work goals.

• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify an issue, gather and process relevant information, determine possible solutions, select appropriate responses, and implement and evaluate them.

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to speak, write, listen, and secure information in a variety of settings. Ability to cooperate with others to achieve results. Ability to create and build relationships inside and outside the organization.

• Teamwork: Participates actively in a team for program quality and effectiveness

About diversity and inclusiveness at the Y:

Inclusiveness is a part of our core values and we are committed to ensuring the diversity of the people and communities we serve and as well as our staff. We welcome candidates from racialized groups, invisible minorities, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

How to apply?

All internal applicants must inform their supervisor of their intention to apply for the position. Internal applicants can apply only after completing the probationary period of their current job, unless approved by People and Culture.

Applications must be submitted to the YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region, and all cover letters should be addressed to Belinda Bordoff. Please send applications to Director, Housing Services, Belinda Bordoff(belinda.bordoff@ymcaywca.ca)

Thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please advise in advance if you require any accommodation during this process. We believe all people have the right to live free from discrimination or harassment of any kind.