Program Support Staff

Job Status: Temporary Call-In

Union: Non-Union

Number of Positions: 5

Hours of Work: Up to 20 hours per week

Location: Pathways on Park

Reason for Vacancy: New

Closing Date: June 26, 2026, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for five (5) temporary call-in Program Support Staff in the Employment and Social Services division. This temporary call-in opportunity is for a period up to June 30, 2027. 

Job description

Program Support Staff provide support to the residents of a transitional housing program to help maintain operational standards within the program, and to help the participants achieve success in transitioning to housing through a client focused and harm reduction perspective.

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies 

• Provide support to clients who are facing issues of poverty, mental health, addictions, abuse, and social isolation  

• Perform initial screenings and assess client eligibility for admittance to transitional housing programs, or diversion to other available community resources

• Admit clients and provide support as they integrate into Pathways on Park by providing a tour of the program, explaining the rules and policies, fire safety procedures, and harm-reduction and housing first philosophy  

• Ensure safety and well-being of clients and staff by doing regular facility and property grounds checks


• Regular cleaning of all facilities including (but not limited to) the resource centre, bathroom pavilion, and providing unit turn over

• Assess and assist with addressing client's personal hygiene, medical, financial and emotional needs and refer them to appropriate community health, housing and social support services if necessary 

• Provide assistance when medical emergencies and other critical incidents occur within the program using problem-solving and crisis intervention to de-escalate conflicts 

• Research and identify sustainable housing supports and subsidies, affordable legal support services, courthouse processes and etiquette, and income support services, making the necessary community referrals 

• Liaise with community agencies and businesses to fulfill program needs and ensure a smooth flow of information and resources 

• Provide on-site coverage for the Resource Centre

Essential qualifications

• College certificate or diploma in social services or other related field, with six (6) months to two (2) years of related experience


• Experience in directly assisting persons with psychosocial, physical, emotional and/or environmental problems in a transitional housing program or similar setting


• Experience addressing the needs of homeless clients or clients at risk of homelessness


• Training and experience in the area of social and community services


• Current knowledge of community services, resources, policies, programs, procedures and issues affecting client population


• Ability to appropriately assess situations and problem solve, and to de-escalate interpersonal conflicts in an effective fashion through crisis intervention techniques using trauma-informed principles


• Experience with Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) computer system is preferred


• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and SharePoint; ability to learn new software programs

Other qualifications

• Experience in casework and case management is an asset (i.e. experience working with clients to develop and implement a plan to reach their identified goals)


• Experience using Motivational Interviewing to affect change an asset

Certifications, memberships, licenses

• Valid First Aid and/or CPR is an asset


• Motivational Interviewing training is an asset


• Non-Violent Crisis Prevention training is an asset


• Trauma-informed training is an asset

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works days, afternoons and night shifts covering shifts over 7 days as scheduled, including holidays


• This position will be required to work midnight shifts as scheduled


• Able to work rotating shifts for up to 20 hours per week

Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements

Because of the responsibilities, this position requires the successful candidate to have a valid class G Ontario driver’s licence; a driver’s abstract will be conducted by the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. An acceptable driver’s abstract will: be an original document and current (within the previous thirty (30) days); have no more than four (4) demerit points; have no more than two (2) convictions for the same offence; have no criminal code convictions; have no ‘non-medical or administrative’ license suspension in the preceding three (3) years.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check. Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (Vulnerable Sector Check) prior to commencement of employment.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

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  Walking: frequent walking on level surface (frequently walking to/from cabins, meetings etc.; seldom running in case of emergency/critical inside)

  
  


• 
  

  Sitting: frequently sitting in a chair (frequent sitting in primary program locations, meeting locations etc.)

  
  


• 
  

  Standing: frequently standing inside (frequent standing inside to assess and speak with clients, community partners, moving from program space to program space)

  
  


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  Hands: frequent fine finger dexterity (movement), mousing (frequent typing and mousing in office and meetings)

  
  


• 
  

  Lifting: up to 50 lbs (lifting of supplies and/or client belonging, taking garbage bags out of the dumpster and lifting them into the dumpster, cleaning using vacuum, brooms, mops and bucket)

  
  

Benefits

This temporary call-in position has an hourly wage of $31.832 to $36.055 and will receive 15% in lieu of benefits (which includes group benefits, statutory & non-statutory holidays, and non-enrolment in OMERS) and 4% vacation pay. Where a permanent employee is receiving benefits and is the successful candidate for a temporary vacancy, benefits will remain as per the policy manual.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.