Seaton House is the largest homeless shelter for men in Toronto. Seaton House is comprised of four programs totalling 539 beds. There is a large emergency shelter program and 3 transitional programs including: O’Neill House, which focuses on working with new refugees to Canada; the Long Term Program, which focuses on working with older men and/or men with complex health needs; as well as the Annex/Infirmary Program, which works with men who have complex health, mental health and substance use needs and issues along with a Managed Alcohol Program (MAP).
Central Intake operates 24/7 as a call centre providing intake assessments for individuals and families seeking emergency shelter assistance and housing related services. The primary goal of the program is to assist callers to maintain stable housing. Where possible, callers are assisted to explore other housing options prior to a referral to emergency shelter services. Prevention, through education, information, advocacy and connection to other support services, is a key focus in the program.
Major Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Manager, this position is responsible for leading the service planning and delivery for programs and directing all administrative operations of programs.
- Monitors the program operations to ensure that all services are provided in accordance with Divisional and Unit policies, procedures and applicable legislation
- Leads the delivery of effective intake, assessment and coordinated Housing First case management services for clients by accessing services to assist them to achieve housing stability in the community
- Builds capacity within staff team to support clients with health, mental health and addictions issues from a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach
- Develops and maintains a landlord / housing provider recruitment and retention strategy
- Develops, tracks and maintains internal program statistics/data related to emerging trends, demographics and identified program benchmarks, as required
- Creates pathways for client engagement to inform service delivery
- Develops and maintains partnerships with community-based agencies, the private sector, the general public, other orders of government and other stakeholders to create opportunities to enhance client service
- Monitors the quality of service provided by the program to ensure that the needs of clients are being met in a timely and professional manner
- Evaluates existing programs and develops new initiatives to be responsive to emerging client needs and opportunities to build client capacity
- Ensures program files and records are properly maintained
- Maintains working relationships and resolves issues internally with staff and externally with housing providers and community organizations
- Represents the Division in meetings with other Divisional representatives and service providers, other orders of government and funders, and supports strategic Divisional and Corporate initiatives, as required.
- Prepares and develops effective communication strategies and means of communication for internal and external audiences
- Advocates for individuals/families in accordance with identified program needs
- Supervises, trains, provides guidance/support to, schedules, and hires staff
- Participates in and/or leads the development and delivery of the training curriculum for staff
- Identifies performance objectives to ensure program service delivery goals are met
- Provides guidance to staff on the interpretation of relevant legislation and policy, and counsels them on their performance in the delivery of client services
- Handles day to day labour relations matters, including the imposition of discipline and the hearing of grievances as required
- Consults with the Manager and provides input on matters concerning the formulation of policy, objectives, systems and procedures
- Completes reports, develops internal policies and procedures as well as implements systems to monitor and evaluate program objectives
- Undertakes special projects and assignments as may be required by the Manager
Key Qualifications:
- Post-secondary education in Social Services, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Considerable experience supervising staff (e.g. leading, motivating, monitoring and evaluating performance), in a complex and high-volume work environment.
- Experience in planning, developing and implementing programs that address operational and client needs.
- Experience in the application of case management principles and practices, and applicable legislation.
- Knowledge and/or experience working in a harm reduction environment, including working with people with significant addiction, mental health and health vulnerabilities.
- Extensive knowledge of working with indigenous populations and/or lived experience as an indigenous person.
- Extensive knowledge of community resources and a demonstrated ability to develop partnerships.
- Knowledge of current issues related to homelessness, Housing First policy, subsidized and supportive housing, income security, etc.
- A general knowledge of government legislation in the areas of labour, employment and human rights, Child and Family Services Act, Residential Tenancies Act, mental health legislation and other relevant legislation.
- Well-developed written and oral communication skills, including presentation and facilitation skills, with an ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders (i.e. community and government agencies) and management.
- Political acumen and insight, as well as advanced skills and judgement, in public relations, including the ability to manage, negotiate and achieve consensus among parties having different objectives.
- Excellent problem solving and decision making skills to resolve conflicts or de-escalate situations professionally.
- Good computer skills and the ability to use various applications (i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel), as well as the Division’s automated systems.
- Working knowledge of and familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health and Safety.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-profile environment with competing priorities and tight timelines.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.
Notes:
|