ICS - Support Worker - Indigenous Requirement (Casual)

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

ABOUT US RainCity Housing is an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives. With a goal of providing a home for everyone, RainCity’s programs sustain relationships, strengthen communities and make change for people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues. We invite you to be a part of the change.

 

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

Position Summary
The Indigenous Cultural Liaison (ICL) provides the Indigenous lens and consults with Indigenous clients to provide/connect them with a range of Indigenous specific supports in the community, while advocating for access and rights as needed. These can include but are not limited to: liaising with and/or supporting cultural activities/programming; Indigenous-led and informed case planning for Indigenous clients; connecting clients with outside organizational supports/connecting to agencies that assist; and accompanying clients in navigating the health and/or court systems. In addition to these Indigenous specific supports, the ICL provides daily supports to all program participants, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, including medication administration, building security, crisis intervention, case-planning, and front-line overdose response. Using a culturally informed model that is rooted in harm reduction, the ICL walks alongside clients in their self-identified and self-determined goals for culture, connection/reconnection, and community integration; while advocating for access, rights, and Cultural Safety as needed. Reports to: Manager(s) of Indigenous Cultural Services & Program Manager 

POSITION TITLE: Indigenous Cultural Liaison Support Worker - Indigenous ancestry/identity is a bona fide occupational requirement for this position: Only folks who identify as indigenous (First Nations, Native American, Metis, Inuit) will be considered for this position 
PROGRAM: Various Sites in Sunshine Coast and Vancouver
JOB #: cas2023.227
UNION: BCGEU 
SALARY: $30.64/hour (BCGEU grid 34) + $2.50/hour as a premium for overnight shifts. 
TYPE: Casual Relief. 
SCHEDULE: This is a casual relief position. Casuals will be called in to work to cover vacancies as they arise. Our programs run 24/7 365 days a year. We offer day, evening and over night shifts which are generally 8 hours in length. 
START DATE: As soon as possible 

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 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

Key Skills and Abilities – for supporting people receiving our services 

• Experience navigating paths to client-centered/client-focused Indigenous work with tenants using culturally informed strategies about social impact what’s new get involved
• Knowledge of the holistic addictions model including stages of change and harm reduction, cultural pillars of healing and cultural forms of medicine, Indigenous-led/informed case planning 
• 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 holism and recovery 
• Fostering awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma related addiction/MH among Indigenous community members – work to create paths to holism Perform duties as assigned (duties may differ from program to program) 
• 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 Informally teach harm reduction, life skills 
• Respond to problematic behaviour using an understanding of the behaviour’s context and function
• Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals 
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources 
• 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 establish workload priorities, adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with conflict situations 
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position 

Specific Job Duties

• Research/connect individual and group supports for indigenous tenants regarding indigenous ways of understanding holism 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 Community Building Groups at RainCity
• Collaborate with additional ICL supports in the site around planning and running the programming.

Thank you to 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.