Housing Worker, Nihdawin

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35 hour work week 
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Competitive Retirement Savings Plan
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
  
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development.
• Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses
• Remote/hybrid work offered for various positions

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Nihdawin Housing Worker advocates and supports Indigenous people 16 years of age or older who are or are at imminent risk of homelessness throughout the province. Priority is given to Indigenous people who are at a greater risk of losing their children to the child welfare system and or who are at a greater risk of becoming in conflict with the law because of their homelessness.

The Nihdawin Program assists Indigenous people in these circumstances and supports their traditional roles within our culture. The Housing worker provides advocacy and support in the areas of housing, maintaining existing housing and finding affordable sustainable housing for Indigenous people, acting as advocates with Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, the court system, schools, landlords and medical services. Nihdawin recognizes the importance of providing wraparound supports and services to attend to the needs of Indigenous people as they strive for personal recovery, to maintain their families and live their best lives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, Indigenous learning, women’s studies with a minimum three to five (3-5) years’ work experience in community service delivery.
  
• Extensive knowledge of the Housing First Approach and the Rapid Re-Housing model.
  
• Knowledge of criminal justice system.
  
• Proven experience working with vulnerable persons and knowledge of victims’ issues surrounding housing and homelessness, poverty, mental health and addictions.
  
• Strong communicator - excellent written, oral, and facilitation skills.
  
• Experience in Community Member advocacy with demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous families and/or communities.
  
• Knowledge of and relationships with other service agencies, ability to network and establish/maintain these relationships.
  
• Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
  
• Capacity to solve problems and to see different perspectives.
  
• Ability to plan, organize and manage time effectively.
  
• Highly motivated individual with the ability to work with minimal supervision.
  
• Excellent organizational and communication skills and an ability to follow through on assigned duties independently with strict deadlines.
  
• Knowledge of Not-For Profit Organizations
  
• Proficient working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.
  
• Ability to travel.
  
• Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage and valid Ontario “G” class driver’s license.
  
• Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
  
• A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
  
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
  
• Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.

Please know, this is an existing role we are looking to fill.

The full salary range for this role is $49,500 - $60,778. ONWA conducts annual performance reviews, and employees may be eligible for salary adjustments based on performance outcomes and available funding.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at hr@onwa.ca.