Who are we?
Operation Come Home is an employment, education, and support centre for homeless and at-risk youth age 16 and up. Our programs focus on what works and what matters to youth, as well as encourage personal growth of everyone as an individual. Operation Come Home is based in Ottawa, Ontario.
Vision:
To prevent homeless youth from becoming homeless adults.
Mission:
To provide a comprehensive menu of innovative programs and services designed to engage youth in productive activities that will provide them with a foundation to move on with their life goals.
Value Statement:
Operation Come Home strives to create a professional, non-judgemental, caring, confidential, consistent, youth-centred environment that empowers youth, staff and volunteers to actively promote: advocacy, youth success through opportunity, adaptability, integrity and equality through a team approach while maintaining respect for human worth and dignity.
Position Summary:
The Housing Based Case Manager (HBCM) provides essential housing support to youth aged 16-25 experiencing homelessness, with a focus on promoting housing stability and long-term retention. Utilizing a Housing First approach, the HBCM will assist individuals in navigating the housing process, including securing and maintaining suitable housing, and accessing community resources to meet their ongoing needs. The youth will be supporting in exploring various types of housing, including headleasing opportunities in HousingWorks.
The HBCM will collaborate closely with other members of the Housing First team and external service providers to ensure individuals receive the individualized supports necessary for their success. Key responsibilities include conducting intakes and assessments, offering crisis intervention, providing advocacy, and assisting individuals in developing critical life skills related to independent living. The role also involves regular home visits, case note documentation, and maintaining accurate service records.
This role requires flexibility, a proactive approach, and a strong commitment to supporting youth in overcoming barriers to stable housing and achieving a better quality of life.
Reporting:
This position reports to the Housing Coordinator.
Hours of Work
This is a full-time position, requiring 40 hours per week. Standard hours of work are Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In addition, staff are expected to be available to work evenings and weekends as required, based on the needs of the program. Hours may be adjusted with prior notice to accommodate program demands.
Salary & Benefits:
- Salary: $58,500 annually – paid twice monthly
- Access to Group Health Benefits program
- Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program
- Matching RRSP Matching Program after first year of employment
- Two weeks paid vacation in year 1 & three weeks in year 2 of employment
Duties and Responsibilities
Housing & Landlord Engagement
- Recruit and maintain relationships with landlords to support participation in housing programs, including headleasing opportunities in OCH’s HousingWorks program
- Locate, secure, and maintain appropriate housing units for youth
- Conduct regular (e.g., monthly) inspections of leased units to ensure safety and compliance
- Prepare and manage occupancy agreements, leases, and related documentation
- Follow-up on notices with youth participants and coordinate responses related to maintenance, occupancy, or tenancy concerns
- Collaborate with housing providers and partner agencies to improve access to safe and affordable housing
Client Case Management
- Provide comprehensive, housing-based case management using a youth-centered, Housing First approach
- Conduct client intakes, eligibility screenings, and housing needs assessments
- Develop and implement individualized service plans to support housing stability and independence
- Support youth in securing housing, including attending viewings, completing applications, and liaising with landlords
- Assist with housing transitions, including securing furniture, supplies, and setting up new living spaces
- Conduct regular home visits to assess housing stability and provide ongoing support
- Teach life skills such as budgeting, cleaning, tenancy responsibilities, and independent living
- Advocate for youth by promoting awareness of housing rights and connecting them to appropriate community resources
- Provide crisis intervention and short-term supports to address urgent housing or personal issues
- Facilitate referrals to internal and external services (e.g., education, employment, healthcare, counseling)
- Participate in case conferencing and collaborate with service providers to support positive client outcomes
Documentation & Evaluation
- Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed case notes and service records
- Manage caseload documentation, statistics, and reporting requirements
- Input and update client data in HIFIS
- Complete and track SPDAT assessments to ensure appropriate service prioritization
- Support discharge planning and transitions to ensure continuity of care
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Attend and actively participate in case management meetings, team meetings, and daily huddles
- Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure coordinated, holistic service delivery
- Contribute to safety planning and provide support during crisis situations
- Communicate relevant updates and critical information to team members and supervisors in a timely manner
- Work collaboratively to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery across the program
- Engage in OCH team building opportunities
Community Engagement & Program Promotion
- Represent the organization in community meetings, networking events, and partnerships
- Promote programs and services to community stakeholders, service providers, and the public
- Build and maintain relationships with community partners to enhance available supports for youth
Other Responsibilities
- Respond to inquiries and provide accurate program information to clients and community members
- Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and ongoing training opportunities
- Keep supervisors informed of urgent or critical issues requiring attention
- Perform other duties as assigned to support program and organizational needs
Qualifications:
- Experience: At least 1-2 years of experience working with at-risk, homeless, or marginalized youth (or equivalent lived experience).
- Education: A relevant degree or diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Youth Services, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent experience may be considered.
- Background Check: Successful completion of a vulnerable sector check is required.
- Driver’s License & Vehicle Access: Valid G2 or G-class driver's license (drivers’ abstract required). Access to a personal vehicle for work-related duties, including home visits, housing viewings, and meetings.
- Availability: Ability to work onsite at 150 Gloucester Street for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm. Staff are responsible for participating in rotating on-call shifts. On-call shifts are pre-planned and for 1-week periods. During this time, staff are lead on any calls, emails or texts that are received to the HousingWorks call line, 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including standing or walking for extended periods, lifting materials, and managing unpredictable situations.
- Language Designation: Bilingualism in both official languages is required.
Candidates requiring accommodation during the application and/or the interview process should contact [email protected] so arrangements can be made.
Operation Come Home is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. It is important to us that our staff team reflect the members of the community we serve. Operation Come Home is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce and as such we encourage applications from individuals who reflect the broad diversity of communities we work with.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only applicants invited to an interview will be contacted.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $58,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- Are you able to work from our office located at 150 Gloucester St in Ottawa, ON?
- Have you completed post-secondary education in a related field?
- Are you bilingual in both official languages (English and French)?
- Do you have a valid G class license and clear driver's abstract?
Work Location: In person
