EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Outreach Worker

Full-time position
Contract to March 31, 2026 with the possibility of extension

Context

Over 1/3 of homeless people in Ottawa are Indigenous. Wabano has been providing homelessness services to our community for over 20 years. But both “houselessness” and “homelessness” have negative connotations… at Wabano, we see our role more as “path finders”. Whether clients need help finding or keeping their home, our team is here to help clients create a safe, cozy place that they can feel pride in calling home.

Wabano is now looking for an Outreach Worker to be part of our “Home Team” working collaboratively within the Indigenous-specific coordinated access system in Ottawa. (See Appendix for more information on this system.)

The Role

As the Outreach Worker, you will be responsible for providing housing supports and community referrals for individuals who are living on the streets, shelters or are at risk of becoming homeless. Additionally, this position will be responsible for supporting the team in handling crisis situations and providing short-term crisis counselling to clients in order to stabilize them.

To meet these responsibilities, the Outreach Worker will:

• be available to work Monday – Friday, from 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.;
• provide services to clients at a time and location which best meets their needs, which includes evenings and weekends as directed by manager;
• serve as a first point of contact for clients and conduct intakes in order to determine client needs and appropriate supports;
• provide client-centered, culturally based supports to assist Indigenous people with obtaining income supports, and other community services/resources to facilitate obtaining or retaining housing.
• develop strong relationships with partnering agencies and other Wabano workers in order to enhance support mechanisms for clients;
• serve as an advocate for client/community members re: access to services, enhancing cultural sensitivity and respect;
• promote Indigenous beliefs, values and traditions that enhance health;
• complete administrative tasks related to client care and organizational/funding requirements; and
• participate in Wabano events.

Qualifications:

• A valid Ontario class “G” or equivalent license with a clean driver’s abstract.
• Knowledge of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community resources and related services.
• Ability to function in a high pressure/high stress environment.
• Experience working with Indigenous people who are homeless or at risk.
• Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity and awareness of the history, culture, and unique needs of homeless Indigenous people living in an urban center.
• Ability and willingness to patrol the streets on foot in order to support individuals who are homeless.
• Current Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certification or willingness to acquire the training.
• Knowledge, sensitivity, and awareness of history, and culture of the Indigenous population.
• Ability to follow direction.
• Excellent oral and written communications and computer skills.
• Excellent time management skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Current CPR-First AID level C or willingness to acquire the training.

Salary:

Range $50,000 – $56,000 per year + Benefits

Why Work for Us:

You would be a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment. Additionally, you would have access to:

• Collaborative and Supportive Work Environment;
• Comprehensive Group Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
• A Defined Benefit Pension Plan/ Employee Pension Plan with an equal contribution by Wabano (HOOPP)
• A Wellness Spending Account ( Renewed Annually)
• Critical Illness Coverage
• An Employee Assistance Program
• Four (4) weeks paid vacation time

Application Details

Please submit your application to jobs@wabano.com. Application materials include a cover letter and resume. This opportunity will remain open until filled, so tell us your story early.

Wabano is an inclusive and equitable organization, encouraging applications from qualified candidates, including persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. The position is open to all qualified applicants, although preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry (please self-identify in your application).

Successful applicants will be required to provide a criminal reference check to work with a vulnerable population.

Wabano is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If contacted for an employment opportunity or interviewing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Appendix

What is a coordinated access system?

From Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives

A coordinated access system is the process by which individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness are directed to community-level access points where trained workers use a common assessment tool to evaluate the individual or family’s depth of need, prioritize them for housing support services and then help to match them to available housing focused interventions.

Quality coordinated access systems share several features, including a centralized database that collects and displays real-time data on clients and available housing and supports; clear access points of entry; common assessment; standardized protocols; and resources (for example, staff) focused on ensuring that people can connect with appropriate housing and housing supports in an efficient manner.

Definitions:

• Access: the engagement point for the individual or family experiencing a housing crisis. This may include emergency shelters, mobile outreach teams, day centres, other community-based organizations and hotlines.
• Assessment: the process of gathering information about an individual or family accessing the crisis system.
• Prioritization: the process of determining the individual’s or family’s priority for housing based on information gathered through the assessment.
• Matching and referral: the process whereby the individual or family is matched to and offered housing based on project-specific eligibility, needs and preferences

Indigenous Coordinated Access System in Ottawa

There are three Indigenous organizations in Ottawa who are funded to implement coordinated access in Ottawa: Wabano, Minwaashin and TI (Tungasuvvingat Inuit).

Currently, everyone who is homeless initially goes through City. The City then refers any Indigenous clients to Wabano. Wabano is responsible to match the client to the appropriate services/agencies. This includes Indigenous agencies who have been funded for coordinated access (Minwaashin and TI) as well as other housing partners who are part of ACAB.