Maple Ridge ICM - Indigenous Cultural Liaison Outreach Worker (0.9 FTE)

RainCity Housing operates on the stolen, unceded, ancestral, traditional homelands of the Xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ Nations in so-called Vancouver, the q̓íc̓əy̓, qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm, qiqéyt, SEMYOME, Stó꞉lō, and sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ Nations in so-called Lower Mainland, and the shíshálh in so-called Sunshine Coast.

About Us – A home for every person
RainCity Housing is an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives. Our mission is to advance social equity by building upon the strengths of our community and of each individual. With a goal of providing a home for everyone, RainCity’s programs sustain relationships, strengthen communities, and make change for people experiencing homelessness, mental health, trauma, and substance use issues.

RainCity Housing has been developing emerging and promising practices for over 40 years in social services and healthcare, providing Housing First, harm reduction and supports for community members who access our services. To learn more, check out our innovations page. You can visit our Indeed page and click on the “Follow” button to be notified of new job openings: ca.indeed.com/cmp/Raincity-Housing-and-Support-Society/about.

You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Benefits: 

• 5 days of paid leave for Indigenous Employees for Ceremonial, Cultural, and Spiritual events per year 
• 8 weeks of paid leave for gender affirming care for medical procedures for transgender and gender diverse employees, cumulative total 
• Employee and Family Assistance Program available to ALL employees, including 24-hour helpline, Personal counselling, Life Coaching, Financial Coaching, Legal Referral and Advisory Services, and Health Coaching: https://www.fseap.ca/
• Municipal Pension Plan with guaranteed lifetime monthly pension when you retire: https://mpp.pensionsbc.ca/
  
• Employer-paid benefits for regular Part-time and Full-time employees:
• Unlimited Physiotherapy and $1,000/year coverage for Massage
• Vision Care, Dental Care, Prescription Drugs, Naturopath, Acupuncture, Chiropract, Group Life Benefit $50,000, Long Term Disability, and Unlimited Out-of-Province and Out-of-Country Emergencies

Position Summary
Using a culturally informed model that is rooted in harm reduction, the Indigenous Cultural Liaison Outreach Worker (ICLORW) provides a crucial Indigenous lens within our work. The ICLORW walks alongside clients in their self-identified and self-determined goals for healing, culture, and community integration, while advocating for access and rights as needed. This role consults with Indigenous clients to provide/connect them with a range of Indigenous specific supports in the community. These can include cultural activities, Indigenous –led case planning for Indigenous clients, external organizational supports, and agencies that assist in navigating the health and/or court systems. In addition to these Indigenous specific supports, the ICLORW provides daily outreached based case management supports to program participants, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. This includes collaborating with the participant and the ICM team to determine appropriate care to meet individual needs and situational requirement and then providing participants with supports required supports to achieve their goals. In order to assist participants in effectively obtaining service from the ICM team staff, external service providers and community resources supports offered by staff may include, but are not limited to, case-by-case management, client transportation, skills demonstration/education, money management, community integration supports, consultation, and advocacy.  These services are provided in any environment including the streets, shelters, hospitals, and participants’ homes.

Job Competition # job2024.274
Closing Date: Midnight, September 26, 2024 
Job: Indigenous Cultural Liaison Outreach Worker – Housing First Clinical ICM Team, Maple Ridge, Temporary until March 3, 2025, or until return of incumbent, Part-Time, 0.9 FTE.
Salary Range: $31.56 – 33.28 (BCGEU, Grid 34)
Hours: 67.5 Bi-Weekly 
Schedule:
Week 1: Monday – Thursday 12:30pm – 8:30pm, Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm;  
Week 2: Tuesday – Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm, Friday 12:30pm – 8:30pm;  
Week 3: Saturday-Sunday 8:30am - 4:30pm, Thursday 8:30am – 4:30pm, Friday 12:30pm – 8:30pm; 
Week 4: Saturday – Sunday 8:30am – 4:30pm, Wednesday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.
At present, includes a 30-minute unpaid meal break.
Work Site: Maple Ridge, BC
Start Date: As soon as possible 

* Indigenous ancestry/identity is a bona fide occupational requirement for this position: Indigenous (First Nations, Native American, Métis, Inuit) staff only please.    
 
* A valid B.C. Driver's License, an acceptable drivers abstract, and use of a reliable personal vehicle is required. 
 
* A clear British Columbia Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check for working with vulnerable adults and/or children is a condition of employment with RainCity Housing. Applicants must be willing and able to receive a clearance under the Criminal Record Review Act.    

* Transportation: Transit reality for those living in Vancouver; please note that this is a 2 hour commute on transit. For those of you living in the Tri-Cities/Pitt Meadows/ Maple Ridge area - the commute is under an hour depending on where you are living. Please be sure you have a reliable source of transportation to make it to work on time. 

* Pursuant to the Provincial Health Officer's Order, the incumbent of this position is required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. If you have not yet submitted vaccine proof to vaccinestatus@raincityhousing.org, you must do so at the time you apply to this competition.

Program Summary
Maple Ridge Intensive Case Management (ICM) plays a vital role in the continuum of services and supports for people with serious mental illness and substance use issues in BC. The ICM Team assists clients by helping them to identify and achieve personalized recovery goals and by assisting in the coordination of support services (e.g. mental health, criminal justice, family, and addictions services). The ICM team also provides housing opportunities for clients using a ‘housing first’ scattered site approach. Clients are offered immediate access to rent supplements so they have the opportunity to live in the same kinds of permanent independent apartments that are typically available to people without mental illness, and the rent supplements are provided without requiring participation in psychiatric or substance use treatment. Self-determination and choice are at the centre of all considerations with respect to the provision of housing and support services. 

QUALIFICATIONS
Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness/addiction/homelessness. Minimum education and experience includes: 

• A Diploma in community social services.
• Two (2) years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Current First Aid and CPR Certification.
• Naloxone Certification.
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with an acceptable driver’s abstract.

Outreach Support Worker Key Skills and Abilities – For supporting people receiving our services

• Knowledge of Housing First and ability to apply the principles in practice. 
• Knowledge of community integration and its application for individuals living with mental illness.
• Demonstrated understanding of community based service provision and an understanding of safe practice when providing outreach services and or working alone.
• Ability to identify and work to increase client strengths, including the use of hope inducing strategies and assisting the client in self-managing their illness and other aspects of their life.
• Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals.
• Knowledge of recovery oriented practice in supporting individuals experiencing mental illness and/or problematic substance use.
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources.
• Basic knowledge of health care disciplines and their role in care.
• Basic knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to the client including the Residential Tenancy Act and the BC Mental Health Act. 
• Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction.
• Knowledge of diagnoses, treatment and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, HIV and Hepatitis C.
• Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and program models for special needs populations.
• Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization as related to chronically homeless individuals.
• Ability to effectively and safely resolve crisis situations.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to apply knowledge and experience of the case management process in a way that considers a holistic approach to wellness and that is responsive cultural diversity.
• Ability to establish workload priorities, adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Ability to prepare and maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation, including writing and updating service plans for primary caseload, writing progress notes, completing incident reports, on-call logs, letters, and documentation related to the program.
• Ability to operate computers and smart phones and efficient use of software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel and web based applications.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position such as, but not limited to working in all-weather conditions, sitting/driving for long periods, assisting with packing and moving household items, lifting/carrying items up to 30lbs, climbing stairs.
• Access to an adequately insured and reliable vehicle must available for use for all shifts worked. Reimbursement amounts are available for changes in insurance coverage required to transport program participants during the course of duties.

Indigenous Cultural Liaison Key Skills and Abilities – For supporting people receiving our services 

• Experience navigating paths to healing and work with individuals using culturally informed strategies.
• Knowledge of the holistic addictions model including stages of change and harm reduction, cultural pillars of healing and cultural forms of medicine.
• Knowledge of legislation and regulations related to Indigenous persons, including residential schools, the 60’s scoop, child and family welfare system; knowledge of indigenous cultures, services, ways of healing and recover.
• Fostering awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma related addiction/MH among Indigenous community members – work to create paths to healing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Specific Job Duties 

• Research/connect individual and group supports for indigenous tenants regarding indigenous ways of understanding healing and recovery, indigenous services and resources, and indigenous culture. To actively plan, arrange and seek out these relationships while on shift in coordination the program team and manager.
• Walk beside indigenous tenants as they connect with community and cultural events and build supports with the tenant such as elders. Connect with supports available through the Cultural Safety Working Group and Indigenous Cultural Liaison Manager and ICL reference group at RainCity.
• Collaborate with additional ICL supports in the site around planning and running the programming.
• Assist with creating an effective and supportive connection between the Indigenous/non-Indigenous service providers and community supports and tenants. Advocate for tenants as needed.
• Assists to build connection to the greater community to promote healing and wellness beyond RCH building to foster connection circle of care and support.
• Orientate new tenants to the role of the ICL and familiarize them with cultural services.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Please submit both a cover letter and resume to apply, describing your suitability for this position. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest. As part of the application process, you may be asked a short set of questions to provide further information about your experience and availability. Please note, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity
RainCity Housing serves a diverse group of people, and we need a staff group that reflects this diversity. People of diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.

As we work towards building a diverse staff team, we are particularly seeking applicants who identify as being Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, applicants with personal lived expertise, and 2SLGBTQ+ identified people.

Inclusion and creating a safer space
We are committed to making our organization a safer place for our staff, with steps taken to create space for learning and unlearning. RainCity’s department of Indigenous Cultural Services was created with the purpose to acknowledge the unique history and service needs of our Indigenous staff and tenants in respect to accessing culturally relevant and culturally sensitive care and support. RainCity’s Black Affinity Group was formed to provide support for Black staff by creating a safe space to support each other, network, debrief, and to heal from the impact of harm endured. Candidates are welcome to self-identifying in their cover letters as Black, First nations, Métis, or Inuit.

All of our employees are expected to develop and exhibit skills to contribute to safety in the workplace, including demonstrating anti-racism knowledge and skills to support racialized communities, including knowledge of Canada’s historical and on-going colonialism and its impact on Indigenous peoples, and commitment to learn and uphold the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Employees are also expected to demonstrate anti-discrimination knowledge and skills to support equity seeking groups, including the 2SLGBTQA+ community, people who use drugs and alcohol, people living with mental health issues and sex workers.

Inclusivity and support for people with differing abilities
In our efforts to provide a barrier-free workplace, we invite you to let us know of any adjustments or accommodations that might be needed for you to participate in the interview or selection process by sending an email to hr.inbox@raincityhousing.org.

If you're having any difficulty creating an account or submitting your resume: Please email dfrecruitingsupport@raincityhousing.org for assistance.

Do you want to improve your chances of joining RainCity? Be sure to include a cover letter letting us know why the work that we do is important to you, and how your experiences make you a good fit for this role.

Do you need additional support with your application? Connect with our partners for assistance:

• ACCESS Futures provides free employment support for Indigenous people and can assist with career advising, resume and cover letter writing, and funding for training: https://www.accessfutures.com/employment-services
  
• PRISM Employment Support Service (ESS) provides free strengths-based, trauma-informed employment support program for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, including coaching sessions, workshops, personal counselling sessions, and financial assistance for transit, occupational training, clothing, and childcare: https://qmunity.ca/employment/
  
• WorkBC provides free employment services to all job seekers, providing with support in resume and cover letter writing, training, and financial support for childcare and transportation costs: https://www.workbc.ca/discover-employment-services/workbc-centres/employment-services
  
• MOSAIC provides free employment support for refugees, immigrants, and racialized women, with services in career readiness training, mentoring, and peer groups: https://mosaicbc.org/our-services/employment-services/

We are a Union
RainCity Housing is a unionized workplace. Along with the union, we support the principles of the Human Rights Code of BC. We promote a workplace that treats both staff and the people accessing services with dignity and respect.