Job Posting
Supportive Housing Worker
Title: Supportive Housing Worker (Part-Time)
Location(s): Carruthers Enhanced Supportive Housing Program
Hourly Pay: $23.97- $27.04 per hour based on work experience
Hours: 0-16 hours per week
Employer: John Howard Society of Ottawa
Closing Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
About the environment: Employees at JHS Ottawa say the organizational culture is supportive, innovative, and focussed on creating a caring environment for both clients, and staff. At JHS Ottawa, you will find an employer that celebrates the uniqueness of each of its staff members and is committed to promoting an engaging working culture where all employees are encouraged to live their strengths and realize their potential. JHS Ottawa will provide permanent new employees access to a benefit plan, four weeks vacation annually, a Defined Contribution Pension Plan after eligibility waiting period, and opportunities for continual learning and development.
About who we support: Our employees are supporting a diverse client group including youth and adults, all genders, from a wide cross section of social, ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds who are representative of our broader community. We are accountable to the people we serve by providing the highest quality of service with integrity through the delivery of responsive, innovative and evidence-informed approaches.
About diversity at JHS Ottawa: The John Howard Society of Ottawa is committed to reflecting and responding to the diversity of the people and communities we serve and is seeking that diversity in applicants for this position. We welcome candidates from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People, women, persons with disabilities, persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and all candidates who contribute to furthering the diversity of ideas. We also recognize that people from diverse groups have different needs and require different solutions to gain equal opportunity for success in the hiring process. Please let us know if you require any accommodation during the interview process.
Program Summary
The John Howard Society's Enhanced Supportive Housing Program caters to men and women who have been long-term shelter users, aged 18 and over. This program offers semi-independent accommodation and support. The site is managed by the John Howard Society of Ottawa with support from Ottawa Inner City Health and other community partners.
Embracing the Housing First Principles, Enhanced Supportive Housing provides adults with a chance to secure safe accommodations and access intensive on-site support to help them achieve their life goals, regardless of their complexities and challenges. The program's goal is to contribute to a reduction in the number of individuals relying on homeless shelters or living on the streets.
As the successful candidate, you have:
Qualifications:
Education:
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University Degree/College Diploma in a Social Services program OR working towards completion of one
Preferred Experience:
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Minimum two (2) years working with the homeless population.
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Experience in housing/residential setting
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Experience working in a Harm Reduction environment.
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Experiences working as part of an Interdisciplinary team.
Supportive Housing Worker Responsibilities
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Cultivate a secure and encouraging atmosphere, promoting community and connections.
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Prepare and serve daily meals
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Enforce adherence to resident care plans and behavioral contracts.
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Collaborate with caseworkers to consistently update and maintain resident care plans
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Engage in ongoing professional development through relevant training, supervision, and Supportive Housing Worker development plans
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Ensure cleanliness and hygiene standards are maintained within residential units.
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Implement strategies to educate and involve residents in maintaining a clean-living environment.
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To provide support to residents through a consistent Life Skill Building Program, encompassing responsibilities such as help in cleaning and maintaining unit cleanliness, empowering residents to independently develop these skills to sustain their housing.
Program/Building Responsibilities-
Respond promptly and provide support during client crises, addressing their fundamental needs.
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Helping the Client engagement and activities facilitator in implementing recreation events and meaningful daily activities to create a sense of belongingness in the clients.
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Demonstrate proficiency in establishing meaningful connections and building rapport with clients dealing with mental health and substance use challenges.
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Assist in maintaining a positive environment for residents and colleagues.
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Complete daily housekeeping and report any building deficiencies
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Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Carruthers Supportive Housing Operations Manual and adhere to all protocols associated with that manual
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To be prepared to handle emergency situations effectively, following established protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and the staff
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Facilitate excellent collaborative relationships with the team and the partner agency program colleagues and provide coverage when required
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Support the residents to follow rules and expectations of building and program
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To respect and honor the diverse backgrounds and cultural preferences of residents and the staff ensuring their cultural and religious needs are met
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Perform other duties as may be occasionally requested.
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To manage challenging behaviors through de-escalation techniques and communicate them with the caseworkers and healthcare team for behavioral support plans
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To assist residents with Life Building skills (LSB) in unit care fostering their independence and dignity.
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Knowledge about harm reduction and Housing First philosophies.
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Has some familiarity about trauma-informed care
Report Writing/ Administrative
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Maintain and update daily log notes on SW log notes on shared drive.
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Produce additional written reports, care plans, and records as required.
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Submit necessary statistical information as required
Competencies
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Teamwork Accountable to team, works to meet established deliverables, appreciates view of team members, respectful.
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Interpersonal Skills Builds strong relationships, is flexible/adaptable, works well with others, solicits feedback.
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Adaptability Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities.
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Job Knowledge Understands facets of a job, is aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current.
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Intellectual and Emotional Boundaries Maintains professional boundaries with client relationships, including observing client confidentiality and consistently following protocol / behavioral plan.
Knowledge and Skills:
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Competency in engaging and establishing rapport with clients experiencing mental health and substance use issues.
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Competency in using crisis management skills if required.
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Knowledge of relevant legislation (Residential Tenancies Act and Mental Health Act) as well as a clear understanding of operating within agency policies and procedures
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Basic counselling skills to support interactions, and possible case plan tasks with adult men and women as directed by the counselling team.
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Strong organizational skills to support the completion of various maintenance, cleaning, and other administrative tasks while on shift.
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Competency in written skills to support log entries and report summaries.
Successful Candidates will:
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Provide a recent Criminal Record Check
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Have a demonstrated ability to work within timelines and deadlines.
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Possess strong time management and organizational skills.
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Have the ability to effectively deal with neighbour or community complaints after hours if required.
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Have excellent people skills to facilitate relationships with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and community members.
You’re a fit with our organizational culture, if you mirror our values in the way you work:
You are committed to providing the highest quality of care for your clients, through responsive, innovative, and evidence informed approaches.
Driven by curiosity, you adapt to achieve the best results for clients/communities you serve.
Celebrating the uniqueness and lived experience of every person is part of your nature, and this conviction creates a sense of belonging, safety, and better outcomes for all.
You work in a way that helps employees and clients live their strengths and reach their potential
Work with compassion and care for others, and help JHS build a culture of listening, mutual support, and meaningful connections.
You’re a fit with our organizational culture if you believe:
In building meaningful connections across our programs, partners, and neighbourhoods in order to foster inclusion and empowerment.
In a person-centred approach, recognizing the value, expertise, and capacity of each individual to make choices that lead to their best self.
That systemic inequalities exist, and that all people have the right to be treated with dignity, to live free from discrimination, to have a home, and to access employment, education, health promotion and other supports.
In reducing harm to individuals and communities through a non-judgmental approach that builds resiliency and accountability.
In the capacity of individuals and communities to adapt, change, and grow while promoting the conditions to inspire positive transformation.
We sincerely thank all applicants who express interest in JHS and this position- only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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