Job Description
Job Title: Systems Navigator
Program: Willow’s/Emma’s Place
Department: Community Services and Outreach
Salary: $26.37 per hour
Reports to: Manager, Community Services and Outreach
Jobs Reporting: N/A
Time Commitment: The Systems Navigator will be required to work 37.5 hours per week with the availability to work days, evening, weekday and weekend shifts in order to support program needs.
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Objective: The Systems Navigator will work as part of the Community Services’ team to provide practical support and advocacy to women experiencing housing insecurities. The Systems Navigator will provide ongoing support to service users to ready them for safe and appropriate accommodations. This process will include supporting service users in obtaining necessary documentation, and ensuring appropriate community supports are available to assist with a successful transition into housing. The Systems Navigator will also engage regularly with service users in the community to provide necessary support to achieve program and participant identified goals. The System Navigator will work from a service user-centered, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive and harm reduction perspective.
Responsibilities and Duties:
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Actively engage with woman-identifying individuals accessing Willow’s Place and Emma’s Place. This includes individual advocacy, connecting with community supports and filling out of any necessary assessments, such as ViSpdats and other housing applications with service users
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Utilize the principles of case management when conducting assessments and referrals to address service user needs
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Collect and assess information to determine service user’s eligibility for emergency shelter and housing related services; advocate with internal and external resources and supports when needed
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Support service users in creating short- and long-term goals. This may involve: safety planning, risk management, and harm reduction supports
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Assist service users in acquiring IDs, affidavits, income support documents etc.
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Collaborate with the Shelter’s Ontario Works case manager to apply for, update or problem solve re: income related issues
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Assist service users in applying for housing support programs, market rent units and/or necessary financial supports
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Work as a liaison with housing and other support programs to ensure client is aware of meetings with workers as well as following through on next steps
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Assess clients need/desire for a trusteeship program and work in partnership with the Financial Management program to intake and support client in putting together a financial plan; this can include direct payment of current bills, budgeting personal expenses, and dispersing of any gift cards or monies/cheques on a weekly basis
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Ensure the keeping of systematic records, files and relevant statistics associated with the program
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Respond to crisis situations by assessing the situation and implementing appropriate solutions which promote safety
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Participate in team meetings and case conferencing to discuss program issues, review service user needs, discuss case plans where releases have been acquired, and adhere to a strict policy of confidentiality
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Assist the willow’s/Emma’s front line team with day to day functions when staff shortages arise
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Work with, and provide direction to, volunteers and students, providing support and instruction to ensure policies and procedures are followed
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Work safely, identify any health and safety concerns and report to management, and follow Mission Service’s workplace health and safety policies and procedures at all times
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Other duties as required to ensure the continuation of service to service users as it relates to the achievement of an individuals’ successful housing outcomes
Qualifications:
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Minimum of a post-secondary degree/diploma in social work, social service work or a related field
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Concurrent disorders certificate is an asset
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Experience
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Minimum one to three (1-3) years of work experience in any of the following fields; addiction, mental health, concurrent disorders, counselling and other social services supporting vulnerable people
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Experience providing person-centered, trauma and anti-racist, anti-oppressive informed services and supports to individuals with diverse experiences and identities
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Knowledge
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Demonstrated knowledge of case management and how to assist service users in successful systems navigation
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High level of familiarity with legislation, community services, resources, programs, policies and procedures, and issues affecting or related to the service user population
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Demonstrated understanding and working experience in gender-based violence, mental health disorders, addiction, poverty and homelessness
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Understanding of Mission Services mission, vision and values and how these are to be reflected in the workplace
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Skills
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Excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills
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Excellent active listening skills
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Excellent written and oral communication skills
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Strong time management skills, and ability to be self-driven
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Strong organizational skills
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Strong negotiating skills
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Abilities
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Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations
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Ability to take initiative and be self-directed
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Ability to work as part of a team
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Ability to form helping relationships based on trust and empowerment
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Ability to problem-solve and resolve conflict
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Preference for the ability to speak fluent French
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Other Qualifications
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Proof of negative 2-Step Tuberculosis Testing
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Proof of clear Police Check with Vulnerable Sector Check
Nature and Scope:
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Frequent contact with service users
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Frequent contact with Client Advocates and Support Coordinator
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Frequent contact with Manager, and Director of Community Services and Outreach
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Frequent contact with community agencies, shelters, food banks, housing supports etc.
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Regular contact with program students and volunteers
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Level of Responsibility
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Responsible for distributing Harm Reduction supplies to clients as needed; discuss safer use methods and overdose awareness
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Calculating a budget for trusteeship clients, translating this information into monthly budgets and provide trusteeship money
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Provides mentorship and guidance to co-workers, students and volunteers
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Manage a small petty cash (under $20)
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Attends community committee meetings on behalf of Community Services and Outreach Department
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Responsible for creating safety plans with service users
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Responsible for monitoring service user’s behavior
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Responsible for communicating with staff when going off site with a service user to ensure personal safety
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Providing harm reduction/naloxone training to ensure service user and staff safety
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Responsible for collecting, recording and maintaining confidential data
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Responsible for arranging needle exchange disposal and obtaining more sharps containers if needed
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Decision-Making Authority
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Contact service providers on behalf of service users and in accordance with consent procedures
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Distribute bus tickets and arrange taxis for clients
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Distribute donations to service users
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Can authorize service restrictions to service users when needed
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Decision to accompany service users off site to attend appointments, meetings etc.
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Schedule daily meetings with service users
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Working Environment
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Regular interruptions from service users
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Frequent exposure to unpredictable events due to service users in crisis
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Will occasionally be required to move furniture for program needs up to thirty (30) lbs.
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Due to completing paperwork, the systems navigator will be required to sit for extended amounts of time on the computer
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There is some walking required when walking around the building to attend needs of the program
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Will be frequently exposed to bodily fluids, sharps, substances, loud noises, and contagious diseases
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Risk of injury, physical and mental abuse from service users
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Some travel required via bus or taxi to attend service user appointments for support
