Job Purpose

The Casual Outreach Support Worker provides planned and short-notice relief coverage across CMHA Cariboo Chilcotin community outreach and housing programs. The position will primarily support the Homeless Outreach Program and Community Bridge to Housing First and may provide coverage in other outreach services as assigned.

Working from person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed, harm-reduction and Housing First approaches, the worker engages individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and helps them access housing, income, health care, mental health and substance-use services, and other community supports. The position also provides practical assistance intended to improve housing stability, wellness and independence.

Duties and Responsibilities

Outreach and Engagement

· Conduct outreach by vehicle and on foot in locations where people experiencing homelessness may be staying, including shelters, parks, vehicles, encampments and other community locations.

· Locate, engage and build respectful, trusting relationships with individuals who may not otherwise access services.

· Respond to referrals and concerned-citizen calls as assigned and make reasonable efforts to connect individuals with appropriate supports.

· Provide enhanced outreach during extreme heat, extreme cold and other emergency conditions, including distribution of water, blankets and other essential supplies.

· Use culturally safe, trauma-informed and harm-reduction practices and maintain the dignity, choice and self-determination of each person served.

Assessment Case Management and Housing Support

· Complete client intakes, needs assessments and program eligibility screening as assigned.

· Identify client strengths, needs and barriers and assist clients to establish practical, participant-driven goals.

· Provide short-term continuity of support for active clients when covering employee absences and follow existing case or service plans.

· Assist clients to search for, secure and maintain appropriate housing, including completing housing and tenancy applications and supporting rent subsidy and move-in processes.

· Help clients identify and resolve barriers to housing and provide follow-up support during transitions into housing.

· Provide informal counselling, problem-solving, advocacy and referrals within the scope of the position.

· Support clients to access income assistance, disability benefits, identification, health care, mental health and substance-use services, treatment, emergency services and other community resources.

Practical and Community Based Support

· Provide practical life-skills support, which may include budgeting, shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, personal care, household management and appointment organization.

· Transport and accompany clients to housing, health,



income-assistance and other essential appointments using an agency vehicle or approved personal vehicle.

· Assist with housing transitions, including packing, cleaning, moving household items and connecting clients with furniture and essential supplies.

· Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with landlords, housing providers, government ministries and community organizations.

· Assist with communication, mediation and problem-solving between clients, landlords and service providers as directed.

· Participate in case coordination, staff meetings, community meetings, drop-in services and program activities as assigned.

· Assist with Community Action Team activities or other community initiatives when required. Oversight or chairing of these initiatives remains with the designated program employee.

Documentation and Program Support

· Maintain timely, concise and accurate case notes, client files, contact records, program statistics and shift documentation.

· Enter client and service information into HIFIS or other required databases in accordance with agency and funder requirements.

· Provide relevant verbal and written updates to the supervisor and regular program employee to support safe and consistent service.

· Maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy legislation, agency policies, professional boundaries and record-keeping requirements.

· Follow working-alone, client transportation, occupational health and safety, incident reporting and emergency-response procedures.

· Attend required orientation, supervision, training and team meetings.

· Perform other related outreach and housing-support duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualifications

Education

· Diploma or degree in social work, psychology, counselling, mental health and addictions, human services or another related social-services field.

· An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, lived expertise and experience may be considered.

· Conflict-resolution, crisis-prevention or violence-prevention training and experience are preferred.

Experience

· A minimum of two years of recent related experience supporting people affected by homelessness, poverty, mental-health concerns, substance use or other barriers is preferred.

· Experience providing community outreach, housing support, case management, crisis intervention or services to socially marginalized populations is an asset.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

· Knowledge of homelessness, poverty, mental health,



substance use and the barriers people may experience when accessing or maintaining housing.

· Knowledge of Housing First, harm-reduction, trauma-informed and person-centred approaches.

· Awareness of the ongoing impacts of colonization, residential schools and intergenerational trauma on Indigenous peoples, and the ability to work with cultural humility.

· Ability to build respectful working relationships with people who may have complex and multifaceted needs.

· Ability to respond calmly and professionally in unpredictable or challenging situations.

· Robust conflict-resolution, de-escalation, mediation and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and ethical practice.

· Knowledge of local housing, health, mental-health, substance-use, income and community resources.

· Ability to work independently in the community and collaboratively as part of an integrated team.

· Effective verbal and written communication, organization, time-management and documentation skills.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Word and the ability to learn electronic client-record and database systems.

· Ability to adapt to different program requirements and provide reliable planned or short-notice coverage.

Conditions of Employment

· Obtain and maintain an acceptable Criminal Record Check.

· Hold a valid Class 5 BC driver's licence and provide an acceptable driver's abstract.

· Have access to a reliable vehicle with suitable insurance for work-related travel and client transportation, as required by CMHA-CC.

· Obtain and maintain Level 1 First Aid and required violence-prevention or de-escalation training.

· Sign and comply with CMHA-CC Conflict of Interest, Code of Conduct and Oath of Confidentiality requirements.

· Be available for casual planned and short-notice shifts. Hours may include days, evenings or weekends depending on program needs.

Working Conditions

· Work is primarily community based and may take place in clients' homes, shelters, hospitals, community agencies, outdoor locations and other environments where individuals experiencing homelessness may be located.

· The position requires outdoor outreach in varying weather and environmental conditions and driving in all seasons.

· The worker may be required to work independently and must follow established working-alone procedures.

· Work may involve competing priorities, crisis situations and interaction with individuals who are distressed or whose behaviour may be unpredictable.

Physical Requirements

· Ability to walk over uneven terrain and access a variety of indoor and outdoor community locations.

· Ability to assist with packing, cleaning, moves and the handling of furniture, household supplies and outreach materials.

· Ability to perform duties in a fast-paced and occasionally physically demanding environment.

Pay: $27.54 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Outreach Support Worker - CASUAL (Williams Lake)
🏢 Canadian Mental Health Association-Cariboo Chilcotin Branch
📍 Williams Lake