Addiction and Mental Health Worker, Supportive Housing, Strathroy
Direct Service - (OPSEU)
Full-Time, Contract (Ending: March 31, 2026)
Strathroy, Ontario; Multi-site accountability (Middlesex Zone)
- Application Deadline: June 16, 2025 -
Every person in our community has the right to quality housing and to live with dignity and as much independence and choice as possible.
As a member of our Strathroy Housing team, you'll support individuals who experience persistent and chronic homelessness with a focus on supporting them to achieve housing stability.
Consider revitalizing your career and making a difference in your community by joining our team!
WHAT WE'RE OFFERING:
What you'll be making - Starting rate for this role is $27.14 per hour (Level 1 – Direct Service), with a wage differential, based on regulation ($30.01 per hour for Level 1 – Direct Service, Regulated):
Successful candidates who are registered with one of the designated professional colleges (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, COTO, CRPO, CPSO, or CPO) will receive the wage differential for regulation
Successful external applicants will start at Level 1, with grid progression based on seniority up to Level 8 ($34.41 per hour for non-regulated, and $37.26 per hour for regulated)
For internal applicants, grid level placement will occur as per the Collective Agreement
When you'll work - 70 hours over a two week period, 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday
What your benefits will be - 9% in lieu of benefits
Your pension plan - Eligible for optional enrollment in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan
HOW YOU WILL BE MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
Primary Responsibilities:
Designated Primary Worker for individuals assigned to the Supportive Housing caseload;
Ensure up-to-date documentation and electronic record keeping
Ensure individual's needs are met and that each individual is supported to maintain housing;
Provide updates on individuals-served at Team Meetings;
Make decisions independently with respect to an individual-served approach
Direct Service:
Support individuals to secure housing of their choice;
Provide intensive support including regular, continuous contact with the individual for three months, and ongoing support as needed;
Provide light to moderate level support for individuals residing in the Supportive Shared Living program;
Support the Middlesex Accommodate Program (MAP) as needed
Support landlords as necessary in conjunction with the individual-served, provision of landlord mediation;
Motivate and support individuals to work towards achievement of their needs and/or goals;
Create or update Crisis Plan;
Assist and coach individuals in the learning and management/achievement of activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, chores, budgeting, socialization, etc. alongside them in their apartment or shared living unit;
Advocate, refer and connect individuals with appropriate services, supports and resources (formal and informal) based on their needs
Support individuals with physical and mental health concerns, and liaise with clinical staff
Coordinate recreational community outings and activities to enhance individuals' quality of life and further connect individuals to their community;
Champion each individual's capacity for independent community living;
Assist individuals to successfully remain in the apartment or shared living unit, providing prevention and diversion strategies to avoid homelessness;
Crisis prevention and intervention, reduce the utilization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Room (ER) visits, days in hospital, days incarcerated.
Provide health teaching about addictions, mental illness and symptom management.
Clinical Assessment, Support, and Goal Planning:
Assess individuals strengths, abilities, needs and preferences;
Assess social and environmental factors, and any vulnerability and risk factors;
Include and encourage individual’s natural supports (e.g. family, friends) and home staff in goal planning, clarifying the roles each plays towards individual’s rehabilitation;
Regularly solicit feedback from the individual, homeowner, home staff and relevant community supports regarding individual’s addiction and/or mental health and progress towards their goals.
Communication and Decision Making:
Maintain open communication with individual’s professional and natural supports and home staff in regards to individual’s rehabilitation;
Make decisions both independently and collaboratively;
Complete required individual documentation as per agency standards;
Complete other required documentation (e.g. leave management, education requests, travel claims, expense claims) within the required time frames;
Provide input into decisions with the Manager concerning operations of the program, policies of the organization and accreditation standards in consultation with the Manager of Supportive Independent Living;
Professionally liaise with community workers and agencies regarding the program;
Ensure effective communication with manager, staff team, home staff or landlord and external treatment teams concerning individual’s progress;
Identify, promote resolution, and management of all emergency situations concerning individuals, staff, and property;
Knowledge of issues pertaining to individual confidentiality, such as consent to release personal information process to ensure individual’s confidentiality is maintained at all times;
Other duties as needed.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY:
Police Vulnerable Sector Check
Successful candidates must have a Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) completed within the last six months. In order to avoid delays in beginning a position, interested applicants who are in need of a PVSC are encouraged to apply for one as soon as possible.
We require the following qualifications:
University degree or college diploma in a discipline relevant to social services (primary proof of credentials will be required during the hiring process i.e. original degree/diploma or official transcript)
Valid Driver’s Licence and access to a vehicle with adequate insurance to occasionally transport clients
Current, clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
Demonstrated ability to attend work regularly
We prefer the following qualifications:
One year working experience in the mental health field;
Demonstrated problem solving skills, initiative and team focus, and leadership skills;
Effective communication and time management skills;
Knowledge of serious mental illness as well as best practices, psychosocial rehabilitation, psychiatric medications, community resources, electronic documentation methods, and health and safety;
Experience working with individuals with mental health issues, addictions, or problematic substance use;
Training and/or experience in trauma-informed care;
Residential/community housing experience and familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act;
Current certifications in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Standard CPR / First Aid, and/or ASIST
Bilingual both official languages, preferred; préférence sera accordée aux candidats qui sont compétents dans les deux langues officielles du Canada
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Standing and walking for extended periods of time;
Working in a fast paced environment;
Occasional travel within Thames Valley Region, regular travel if assigned to mobile programs
INTERNAL APPLICANTS: To be considered as an internal applicant, current staff members are reminded to apply using their @cmhatv.ca or @slwar.ca email address.
Get your application in by – June 16, 2025:
Our recruitment process allows us to learn about your previous work experience, your qualifications and your commitment to fulfilling our vision. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those individuals being considered for a position will be personally contacted by someone from the interview team.
We welcome and encourage applications from all members of our community including persons of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, and members of visible minorities. If you require accommodations related to a disability at any point during the recruitment process, please contact Human.Resources@cmhatv.ca
