Job Information
City of Toronto CASEWORKER HOUSING in Toronto, Ontario
CASEWORKER HOUSING
JoblD: 45713
Job Category: Community & Social Services
Division & Section: Toronto Shelter and Support Services, System Planning & Integrity
Work Location: Metro Hall - 55 John Street, Toronto M5V 3C6
Job Type & Duration: Full-Time, 2 Temporary Vacancies
Hourly Rate: $37.11 - $40.65
Shift Information: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: L79 Full-time
Number of Positions Open: 2
Posting Period: 08-MAY-2024 to 22-MAY-2024
Job Description
Are you a champion of equitable access to housing and supports? Do you want to contribute in a positive way to how people navigate our housing systems? If so, you may be interested in this exciting opportunity at the City of Toronto's Shelter and Support Services (TSSS). By adopting an actively anti-racist, trauma informed, harm reduction, and housing first approach, you will make a signification contribution to housing and homelessness initiatives in Toronto.
Job Responsibilities:
Reporting to the SSA or Street Outreach Programs Officer on the Coordinated Access team, the Caseworker Housing provides services in relation to service delivery through the Coordinated Access system including assessment of applications and referrals.
Assesses, approves, and maintains applications or referrals programs administered through the Coordinated Access system including housing and support programs for individuals transitioning from homelessness
Reviews and confirms program eligibility, including identifying when applications or referrals are incomplete to ensure decisions are made in accordance with established policies.
Completes required forms and documentation to ensure client files are accurate, up to date, and that the information required to support decisions is available.
Responds to time sensitive inquiries received by telephone or in writing (e.g. email) from applicants and, homelessness service providers including housing and support providers
Supports members of the general public, including vulnerable people, community agencies, and housing providers, in-person, over the phone or by email in a sensitive and supportive manner to address housing needs. Provides administrative support to other team members to address housing access and stability needs of clients
Co-ordinates case conferences and activities with partners and community agencies to ensure appropriate and timely matching to housing opportunities.
Provides information to staff, housing providers and community organizations in compliance with legislation and internal policies/procedures for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of applicant records.
Develops and maintains effective partnerships to support individuals transitioning from homelessness to housing including gender-based violence programs, community-based and ethno-specific agencies, health care providers, Public Institutions, and other organizations that work with our client base.
Liaises with Housing Providers to update and maintain accurate vacancy and tenant records (i.e. adding, matching and updating vacancy information).
Maintains up-to-date knowledge and develops a critical analysis of development and changes in legislation, programs, services and issues and their impact on the client group.
Working knowledge of referral pathways for other housing resources, community services, advocacy centers or income support programs.
Participates in team and inter-agency meetings and provides suggestions for service improvement initiatives.
Compiles, maintains and retrieves referral records and submits activity data including identifying unusual or exceptional referrals to Supervisor .
Participates on internal committees such as Joint Health and Safety
Conducts presentations and facilitates training workshops, information and orientation sessions for internal and external stakeholders regarding about the Coordinated Access system including programs, policies and procedures
Provides information and recommendations to the Supervisor regarding status of applications or referrals and regarding application policies, practices, and procedures.
Conducts face to face and/or virtual interviews with clients and/or referring parties as part of determining eligibility for housing and support programs
Maintains databases, tracks monthly statistics and project progress, and completes accurate reports on service activities.
Assists with service delivery of the Coordinated Access system related to client referral information
Key Qualifications:
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
Degree or Diploma in Social Services and experience in the area of social/community services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in the area of social/community services.
Considerable experience assisting clients with accessing programs and services that they may be eligible for, including making referrals to community agencies specifically.
Considerable experience interpreting and applying legislation, policies and criteria to determine program eligibility for clients.
Considerable experience with MS Office 365, data entry, email management.
You must also have:
Knowledge of community agencies and resources to maintain an awareness of current issues as well as to make client referrals and recommendations.
Advanced knowledge of current issues and expertise related to homelessness and/or street involved individuals, including harm reduction, mental health, housing first
Good problem solving and decision making skills to identify, address and resolve service inquiries, requests and/or complaints from, service providers, including ability to de-escalate situations professionally.
Knowledge of housing first approaches to housing, the operations of subsidized, supportive, and private rental housing, including knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act..
Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent written communication skills and analytical skills including reporting on program referrals and usage
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, referring agencies.
Ability to research information, extracting and interpreting information from various databases and software applications.
Ability to identify and recommend policy/procedure changes to assist with program development.
Ability to develop and maintain housing program plans, prepare reports and maintain records.
Ability to work independently in a dynamic, complex environment and organize time and workload effectively.
Ability to effectively perform job duties independently with minimum supervision.
Proficiency working in an automated environment with excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Familiarity with privacy acts
Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act, MFIPPA, Shelter Standards and other relevant legislation.
Lived experience as a member of an Indigenous, Black, and/or equity-seeking group is an asset.
NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:
City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment toemployment equity (https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/content/Hiring-Policies-and-Statements/?locale=en_US) .
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request . Learn more about the City’sHiring Policies and Accommodation Process (https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/content/Hiring-Policies-and-Statements/?locale=en_US) .