Housing Focused Shelter Navigator

The Housing Focused Shelter Navigator works closely with the day-to-day guidance of the Housing Focused Shelter Navigator Supervisor and Shelter Manager to intentionally engage shelter users and other vulnerable populations to expedite orderly move outs. This role works with the most vulnerable and/or chronic Community Members to assist them to move out of the Mustard Seed Shelter in an organized manner. The Housing Focused Shelter Navigator will walk alongside The Mustard Seed community members utilizing the shelter, who have experienced significant trauma and barriers to housing, food, and other basic needs. Housing support will be provided by connecting clients with internal and external resources to divert them as soon as possible from the shelter and ensure they are sustainably housed. The Housing Focused Shelter Navigator fulfills the mission of The Mustard Seed by maintaining a high level of professionalism and respect for all who enter the building and neighborhood. Crisis intervention, meaningful conversations, case management and conflict resolution are daily occurrences for this role.

Position Type: Fixed-Term (June to March 2027) & (July to March 2027)
Schedule: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Reporting to: Housing Focused Shelter Navigator Supervisor
Location: Edmonton Central Shelter
Number of Positions to Fill: 2
RFR#: 2055 & 2056

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Act as the first point of contact for community members seeking support and provide excellent service that promotes dignity, kindness, and equity for all;


• Through a person- centered approach, encourage community members to seek resources and services that support them in achieving their goals


• Meet with vulnerable, elderly or community members with disabilities, to assess and assist in moving them into more appropriate accommodation expeditiously;


• Coordinate orderly move-outs with appropriate agencies;


• Make referrals and applications to outside agencies and internal programs as appropriate;


• Meet all requirements outlined in the Housing Focused Shelter Navigators Grant;


• Support the preparation of administrative tasks necessary to secure housing, such as connection to income, identification, and housing needs assessment;


• Support in the execution of securing housing such as housing search, apartment viewing, landlord engagement and move in;


• Be a supportive and proactive member of the team, including volunteers and other visitors;


• Enforce shelter rules, expectations, and suspensions with community members when necessary;


• Respond quickly to individuals in crisis, including but not limited to physical or mental health concerns, anger and aggression, and interpersonal crises. Must identify the crisis, minimize the harm to the individual and others, use de-escalation skills and assist the individual to explore healthy alternative options;


• Adhere to the privacy and confidentiality standards as outlined by POPA and the Health Information Act;


• Use case management tools to help shelter/drop-in participants work on short-term and long-term goals in relation to housing;


• Model healthy relationships with community members and volunteers through active listening, advising, providing appropriate referrals and being open to spiritual conversations;


• Take initiative and use critical thinking to assess situations and make appropriate decisions to support community members;


• Practice conflict resolution and facilitate reconciliatory conversations


• Participate in staff training (including POPA, First aid, NVCI, and SafeTALK), attend staff meetings, and have one-on-one check-in meetings with supervisor;


• Collect data and outcomes and maintain accurate client records using FDARP;


• Submitted reports both monthly and quarterly on data and outcomes to track housing goals;


• Submit incident reports when necessary;


• Respect proper boundaries with community members.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS 

• 1 year experience working with a marginalized population;


• Experience working within the culture of the inner city and/or with the less fortunate;


• Ability to work independently and under the direction of Housing Focused Shelter Navigator Supervisor;


• Demonstrated passion to be involved in ending homelessness in Alberta is essential;


• Ability to follow organizational protocols of front-line programs to completion;


• Ability to multi-task and demonstrate organizational skills with shifting priorities;


• A self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team;


• Effective written and verbal communication conflict resolution skills;


• Experience in case management and advocacy is considered an asset;


• Experience working in a volunteer-based organization is considered an asset;


• Customer service experience an asset;


• Demonstrated intermediate-level computer skills, including proficiency in email communication tools (such as Microsoft Outlook) and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with familiarity with CCMS database systems, the ETO Case Management Tool, SPDAT Assessment Tool, and FDARP;


• Possession of a Class 5 driver’s license, and access to a reliable vehicle with $2 million liability 1 year experience working with a marginalized population;


• Experience working within the culture of the inner city and/or with the less fortunate;


• Ability to work independently and under the direction of Housing Focused Shelter Navigator Supervisor;


• Demonstrated passion to be involved in ending homelessness in Alberta is essential;


• Ability to follow organizational protocols of front-line programs to completion;


• Ability to multi-task and demonstrate organizational skills with shifting priorities;


• A self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team;


• Effective written and verbal communication conflict resolution skills;


• Experience in case management and advocacy is considered an asset;


• Experience working in a volunteer-based organization is considered an asset;


• Customer service experience an asset;


• Demonstrated intermediate-level computer skills, including proficiency in email communication tools (such as Microsoft Outlook) and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with familiarity with CCMS database systems, the ETO Case Management Tool, SPDAT Assessment Tool, and FDARP;


• Possession of a Class 5 driver’s license, and access to a reliable vehicle with $2 million liability insurance.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Position is often fast-paced and requires a moderate amount of mental effort to analyze information and problem solve.


• Physical effort required: moderate amounts of walking, climbing, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, and daily interactions with colleagues and community participants.


• Varied mental and emotional effort required. Must be able to respond appropriately to intense situations, provide conflict resolution, and work directly with community members at risk.


• This position requires training in the use of a two-way radio communication system.


• Employees are to be aware that many of our clients may experience difficulties or impairment at times, which could result in them uttering threats, discriminatory statements, and other insults at your person. This may be in a raised voice, or in seeing unpredictable behaviour up to and including the possibility of them becoming aggressive
  
  
  
  • Training on how to respond is provided, but this is to be considered typical working conditions. Many of our clients are unaware of the impact of these comments.
  
  
  
  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS  

• An Employment Background Check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed.


• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.


• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.

NOTE  

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.


• We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.


• Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.