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 Systems Navigator provides support to youth ages 16-25 within the Operation Come Home resource centre and individualized, general housing support through short-term case management. The Systems Navigator will work with clients that attend the resource center program to provide education and referrals on services youth can access about housing, education, employment, health, and other services offered to youth experiencing homelessness in Ottawa and at Operation Come Home. Additionally, the staff will receive referrals to complete housing support and services navigation.
Purpose:
The purpose of this position is to work with youth that are at-risk or experiencing homelessness address their immediate needs and provide a timely access and warm transfers to resources available. As a key member of our resource center, you will help youth access vital services, build trust, and empower them to improve their lives. The role requires a balance of crisis intervention, resource coordination, and emotional support to meet the unique needs of each individual.
Reporting:
This position reports to the Drop-in Coordinator.
Hours of Work
There are multiple roles for the full-time position. Hours of work are Monday-Thursday 12 pm-8 pm and Friday 8 am-4 pm, for a total of 40 hours per week. We operate between Monday to Friday 8 am-8 pm and Saturday & Sunday 8 am-1 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:
- 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:
Key accountabilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Client Support:
- Provide services in the drop-in resource center, ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for youth.
- Complete intake assessments for all new clients entering the program.
- Identify youth's support needs, including harm reduction, shelter, basic necessities, employment, education, and additional resources.
- Provide harm reduction supplies and information to youth who identify as persons using substances.
- Assist clients in engaging with services offered at Operation Come Home and other community locations.
- Work collaboratively with clients to develop individual plans, including follow-up services.
- Broker additional long-term supports through external referrals when required.
- Track and document all services provided each shift in the HIFIS database, ensuring accurate and confidential record-keeping.
Program Support:
- Coordinate and ensure timely service of program meals, snacks, and other resources.
- Set up the drop-in center and prepare program materials, including meals, snacks, and activity stations before opening.
- Facilitate group workshops, activities, and life skills programming to engage youth in positive, empowering experiences.
- Prepare and implement group programming and activity plans, ensuring they are engaging, relevant, and culturally sensitive.
- Monitor security cameras to ensure the safety and security of the resource center and its clients.
- Greet and sign in youth upon arrival, ensuring accurate records are maintained for all program participants.
- Perform reception duties, including answering phone calls, providing information, and directing youth and visitors to the appropriate services or staff.
Crisis & Support Services:
- Provide crisis intervention support as needed, using a harm reduction and strength-based approach to ensure youth safety and well-being.
- Determine appropriate interventions and support plans.
- Offer culturally sensitive services, ensuring that all youth feel valued, respected, and supported.
- Assist clients in locating and accessing community resources to support their goals and wellbeing.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local resources, housing options, legal aid, and employment services to effectively refer youth.
- Obtain youth consent to share personal data with Operation Come Home and ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Case Management:
- Support youth in securing necessary documents for housing (i.e. identification, Registry applications, taxes).
- Maintain records of service deliveries and input into HIFIS database.
- Liaison with landlords and provide mediation support with youth.
- Provide eviction prevention support
- Complete SPDAT assessments and refer youth to the City of Ottawa’s By-Name list
- Complete housing support referrals, including The Social Housing Registry
Facility Maintenance & Donations:
- Maintain a clean and organized resource center, sanitizing the space at the end of each shift and as required.
- Accept, sort, and distribute donations, ensuring that youth have access to necessary items.
Other Responsibilities:
- Represent and promote Operation Come Home (OCH) within the broader community, fostering positive relationships with other service providers, media, and key stakeholders to raise awareness and build support for the organization’s mission and programs.
- Participate in local events, forums, and networking opportunities to engage with potential partners and expand OCH's visibility and impact.
- Respond to incoming calls, inquiries, and service requests in a professional and timely manner, providing accurate information about OCH programs and services to community members and other stakeholders.
- Maintain a helpful, solution-oriented approach in all communications, ensuring that clients and partners feel supported and informed.
- Attend monthly staff meetings, supervision sessions, and team meetings to stay informed on program updates, contribute to discussions, and provide feedback to support team decision making.
- Participate actively in team discussions, contributing insights and suggestions to improve program delivery and client outcomes.
- Keep the supervisor informed of any critical or time-sensitive issues that require immediate attention or action. Proactively seek guidance when needed to ensure the effective resolution of challenges.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management to meet the evolving needs of the program and ensure its continued success. This may include administrative tasks, program development activities, or special projects as required.
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.
- Availability: Ability to work onsite at 150 Gloucester Street for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm.
- 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 considered an asset.
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: $25.60 per hour
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)?
Work Location: In person
