Shelter Diversion Worker

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Shelter Diversion Worker (Full-time, Permanent)

Working with vulnerable youth is more than just a job; it’s a calling!

You thrive in an environment that supports and empowers you to do what it takes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

At Durham Youth Services (DYS), we partner with youth to achieve and maintain lasting solutions to their housing crisis, and in 2022, our Shelter Diversion program succeeded in successfully diverting 49% of clients without access to a budget. In 2023, we have invested more resources toward successful diversion, and have set a diversion target of 55%.

As a Shelter Diversion Worker, you will be located at our Emergency Shelter for youth in Ajax. You will provide strategies for youth who are at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in looking for safe, temporary housing solutions, outside of the emergency shelter system. You will triage incoming bed inquiry calls and new shelter intakes through exploration of current and past housing situations and youth need to aid in the prevention of homelessness. Why do we divert? Because everyone deserves better and even one night in a shelter and increase the changes of experiencing chronic homelessness.

You will change lives.

If you are a compassionate, empathetic person who has a desire to aid in preventing youth homelessness, we are interested in hearing from you! Together, we will achieve our vision of ending youth homelessness in the Durham Region.

So, What Will You Actually Do?

• Be the primary first point of contact for youth (and their supports) who may be calling for a shelter bed
• Establish collaborative relationships with clients, building on their strengths and resources to find housing solutions
• Work with colleagues and local systems to safely resolve high-risk crisis situations and provide non-judgemental support
• Communicate with clients, their family/natural supports, and/or their support team over the phone
• Advocate for client needs by developing and implementing service plans and working with local providers and systems
• Offer trauma-informed, client centric support to clients
• Offer crisis counselling and support connection to mental health or addiction supports as needed.
• Coordinate and facilitate access to housing to allow a client to live in their preferred community.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with landlords as needed to support clients in maintaining housing.
• Link individual youth to appropriate services locally and regionally.
• Develop client support networks to decrease and/or eliminate client isolation in the community.
• Liaise between DYS and other community agencies in the community serving precariously housed youth.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of community services and resources and provide consultation to community support agencies.
• Maintain appropriate files, record and statistics needed for generating accurate and timely reports.
• Participate in ongoing education and development relevant to the position held.
• Participate in general staff meeting and Service Delivery Team meetings as required.
• Successfully support 67% new to homelessness and 49% of more chronically homeless youth in securing safe and stable alternatives to shelter
• Manage the program operating budget

At Durham Youth Services, the safety of our staff and clients is our top priority. As a member of our team, you will embrace and benefit from the following:

• Philosophies underpinning harm reduction and trauma-informed case management
• Maintain an emotionally, mentally, and physically safe environment for the clients
• Establishes and maintain professional boundaries with clients, staff, student, volunteers, and other community agencies
• Maintain client confidentiality in keeping with DYS policies and procedures
• Trouble-shoot and problem solve; crisis management, de-escalate crisis situations
• Ensure that a personal safety and emergency plan are in place for each client
• Following all DYS and Public Health guidelines concerning the pandemic
• Follow all DYS policies and procedures

What Skills and Experience Will Make You Amazing At This Job?

• You are driven by results because you know that means youth have been supported. You thrive in an environment with ambitious targets.
• Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline.
• Minimum of two years of full-time work experience with homeless, at-risk, and vulnerable youth, including one year in an outreach-related position.
• Knowledgeable in harm reduction principles as well how to work with persons who have concerns with substance abuse, mental health, or trauma
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a community and with a team of service providers
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences/needs of the youth community and a commitment to a youth-centred approach to this work
• Demonstrated comfort and ability to work with clients in crisis, and able to de-escalate and manage aggressive behaviours
• Strong crisis intervention skills
• Current on new trends that pertain to our residents (addictions, mental health, services, etc.)
• Update any training as needed (CPR/First Aid, Health and Safety, CPI, etc.)
• Have access to your own vehicle to attend meetings in the community
• Must have valid driver’s license and minimum two million dollars in insurance coverage
• Demonstrate superior presentation and written communication skills
• Be able to work well independently and as part of team
• Cultural competency skills, knowledge, experience, and awareness
• Must have and maintain a clear criminal reference check

Note: At DYS, we know that research shows that women and members of racialized communities respond to job postings only if they have a minimum of 90% of the stated qualifications. While it is critical that we find the right person for this complex role, we encourage applications of candidates with the following competencies, even if they don’t have every qualification stated on our “wish list” above!

What Competencies Will Make You an Amazing Fit at DYS?

• Job Knowledge
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills
• Client-Centric
• Time Management/Prioritization/Organization Skills
• Driving Execution
• Commitment to Quality/Continuous Improvement/Takes Initiative
• Non-judgmental; committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity
• Communicates Effectively
• Collaboration, Teamwork and Partnering
• Acts with Integrity
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Accountability

TERMS OF POSITION

This position is for 37.5 hours a week, Monday-Friday, for $24.65 per hour.

Candidate must have the flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

This position comes with health insurance benefits after the completion of a three-month probation period.

This position is a part of the collective bargaining unit under LiUNA 3000.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $24.65 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Ajax, ON L1S 2M6: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• DCS / DEC (preferred)

Work Location: In person