All employment is subject to a satisfactory result from a criminal record check done through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. 

Internal applications: no later than 5:00pm on Monday, April 22, 2024. 

External applications: no later than 5:00pm on Monday, April 29, 2024. 

Job Description – Program Coordinator

Homeless Outreach

Job Summary 

The Homeless Outreach Program Coordinator must be committed to the mission and philosophy of the MPA Society and the principles and practice of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and harm reduction strategies. Working from within the MPA Resource Centre which provides a safe community setting where our service users can socialize and engage in peer support in a welcoming and non-judgmental environment.

The Homeless Outreach Program fosters resilience, provides outreach, assists in housing, coordinates referrals, connects to financial resources, and promotes self-empowerment, provides a variety of day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, advocacy, life skills assistance, information, resources, and demonstrations. 

The Homeless Outreach Program Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day operation of the Homeless Outreach program and supervision of the Outreach Workers.

Functions & Responsibilities

1. Performs participant intakes through interviews and collaboration with outside service providers to determine client’s eligibility for the program; for those not connected to mental health services or for those not residing in housing that is supported by other mental health service providers until such connections are made. 
2. Coordinates staff by performing duties such as assigning work, providing feedback and evaluation, determining training requirements, orientating new staff, and maintaining timekeeping and attendance records. Resolves staffing problems, including calling in staff to ensure appropriate staffing levels.
3. Participates in case management and planning with clients and/or healthcare providers, by performing duties such as interviewing clients to identify problems and needs, obtaining required information from a variety of sources such as families and care providers, documenting client needs and wants. 
4. In consultation with the Manager, develops and oversees the implementation of Homeless Outreach programming to meet the diverse needs of our service users.
5. Assists in recruitment and selection of staff by performing duties such as reviewing applications, providing input into the development of interview questions, and participating on interview panels.
6. Participates in all staff meetings for the MPA Resource Centre to promote sharing information and help determine the needs of specific individual members. 
7. Advocates for members by problem solving in areas such as landlord-tenant disputes, financial assistance, mental health assistance, general health assistance, accessing community resources, and housing both temporary and permanent. Accompany clients to appointments with other agencies in an advocacy role. 
8. Identifies available social, economic, recreational, and educational services and resources in the community that will meet clients’ needs including long term case management services through mental health centers and provides clients with that information. 
9. Assists in the preparation of the budget for assigned programs and/or services, monitors and authorizes budgeted expenditures, and assists with financial reports and payments. Maintains related records and reports and carries out administrative transactions.
10. Oversees the maintenance of related records and documentation such as care plans, progress reports, statistics, and daily logs. 
11. Provides medication support, in accordance with established policy. 
12. Receives client feedback, inquiries, and complaints, and responds as required. 
13. Provides direction to clients, volunteers and/or practicum students as required.
14. Fulfills all functions and responsibilities of the Homeless Outreach Worker and Resource Centre Mental Health Worker as needed.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

 Education, Training & Experience

1. B.A. in Behavioral Science or Diploma in Community Social Service – Mental Health specific preferred.
2. A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in a similar setting with a mental health or addictions related agency, with responsibility for front line service delivery, crisis intervention, debriefing and support, conflict resolution and case planning or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
3. Three (3) years’ experience working with people with mental illness or those at risk of homelessness and a demonstrated commitment to promoting empowerment and individual/group advocacy.
4. Formal leadership training and two (2) years’ experience providing leadership in a team setting, including motivating, coaching and providing feedback to team members, or equivalent combination of training and experience.
5. Experience in monitoring and evaluating programs and prioritizing and assigning front line services.
6. Extensive working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation approaches and services including individual service plan development and implementation and life skills training.
7. A solid background and knowledge of concurrent disorders and harm reduction principles with related work experience.
8. Satisfactory criminal record check.
9. Current Certification in First Aid, CPR and NVCI.
10. Class 5 unrestricted British Columbia Driver License.
11. Access to a reliable vehicle an asset.

Skills & Abilities 

1. Excellent communication and problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse group of players, other frontline workers, mental health consumers, community agencies, management, government and the general public.

2. Knowledge of community mental health, social service, legal, and forensic resources. 

3. Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Concurrent Disorders including theories and methods. 

4. Knowledge of Vancouver rental market and ability to seek out rental accommodations with clients and on client’s behalf when necessary. 

5. Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others, exercise initiative and good judgement.  

6. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize. 

7. Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, staff and management, landlords and collateral service providers. 

8. Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.  

9. Ability to operate related equipment and technology including computer skills and data entry.  

10. Ability to instruct. 

11. Ability to analyze and resolve problems. 

12. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position. 

13. Home management skills. 

14. Conflict resolution and crisis intervention skills. 

15.  Advocacy skills.