Career Opportunities

AUGUST 11, 2022| EXTERNAL/INTERNAL JOB POSTING

COMPETITION NO. 22-103
Position: Advocate (Permanent Full-time position)

Location:  Newton Resource Center

Hours: 35 hours/week

We are looking for an Advocate to join our Sources Advocacy team!  This individual should be a strong positive model by being energetic, creative, and resourceful while also possessing strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.

About Sources

SOURCES is a community-based non-profit organization that has been providing support, encouragement, and hope for individuals and families in White Rock, Surrey, Delta, Langley, Prince George, and Parksville for 40 years. We serve 40,000 individuals yearly and that is all owing to our dedicated team. We welcome people of all genders, races, cultures, ethnicities and abilities. We strive to create more vibrant and resilient communities by offering support to children, youth, families, persons with disabilities, seniors, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and others who are coping with isolation, addiction, mental illness, poverty, disability and conflict. We also support our communities through leadership, education and volunteerism.

SOURCES is also committed to learning about, celebrating and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into our practices as we continue our work in truth, reconciliation and resurgence.

We value diversity, respect and collaboration as we are all striving to promote the same mission—social wellness for our community.

Description of position

This position requires an experienced individual to provide comprehensive housing loss prevention and legal advocacy services in the areas of residential tenancy, income assistance, provincial disability benefits, and federal income security programs.  The worker will provide support, information, and referral, written communications on behalf of the client as well as accompany to meetings, tribunal hearings and dispute resolution hearings; mediates and negotiates with government agencies and landlords.

The worker will promote and develop relationships with government agencies, the community, other human serving organizations and the general public.  In addition, the position requires providing online support services, and delivery of public education presentations and workshops in the areas of provincial and federal income, supports programs, residential tenancy matters; supports creation of resources to facilitate learning and delivery of objectives.

  General Responsibilities:

• ·         Be punctual and responsible as it relates to reporting to work, completion of work, calling in because of illness or emergency.
• ·         Adhere to Sources Policy and Procedure Manual, program Operating Manuals, COA accreditation standards, privacy legislation and other relevant Acts and laws as appropriate to the service provided.
• ·         Participate in Sources’ Performance Quality Improvement process.
• ·         Serve on Sources’ various committees when requested to do so.
• ·         Assist with program events, presentations, meetings and agency events as required and any other duties as assigned by the manager as necessary.
• ·         Perform other related tasks as directed.

Program Specific Responsibilities:

• ·         Provides comprehensive housing loss prevention services to marginalized individuals and families at imminent risk of housing loss to maintain their tenancy, access income supports and benefits.  Services might be provided both in the office and on multiple partner sites.  Service includes providing support, information, referral, completion of forms and applications, written communications on behalf of the client, negotiation and mediation, written appeals and representation at tribunals and hearings.
• ·         Maintain online advocacy chat services/emails/consultations to service providers. This includes providing support, information, referral, written communications and distributing of support information and resources.
• ·         Provides tenancy & income support services training online and in person for the service providers/clients.
• ·         Maintains and develops working relationships with the Ministry of Social Development and other human serving organizations.
• ·         Maintains complete and accurate reports, statistics and records for all project activities.
• ·         Promotes the project’s activities through workshop presentations and public meetings.
• ·         Promotes relationships with project partners, community, other human serving organizations and general public.  Participates in community meetings, and other events related to poverty and homelessness.
• ·         Participates in training, team meetings, staff and agency initiatives, meetings and events.

Qualifications:

• ·         Minimum 2 years of post-secondary education in a related field and equivalent experience in a related field,
• ·         An awareness and understanding of poverty and homelessness-related issues,
• ·         Understanding of advocacy, tenancy and Provincial and Federal income supports programs
• ·         Excellent interpersonal communication skills including public relations, oral and written skills,
• ·         Exercise good judgment, sensitive to a diverse client base and ability to deal tactfully with sensitive client issues; strong sense of social justice and strong desire to assist and improve the lives of marginalized people,
• ·         Ability to read, understand and interpret applicable legislation and awareness of government processes and procedures required,
• ·         Self-motivated with well-developed planning, organizing, problem-solving and decision-making skills,
• ·         Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team environment– includes contributing in a cooperative way to the teamwork environment and upholding the professional code of ethics,
• ·         Excellent administrative skills including the operation of multi-line switchboard, computer, office equipment. Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects,
• ·         Exceptional knowledge of community resources and internet and research skills to research services for referral,
• ·         The ability to function independently and under pressure and effectively manage the crisis, emergency situations and challenging clients,
• ·         Participation in meetings, case conferences and other events,
• ·         Must have excellent computer knowledge and computer technical skills; have extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power point, webinar software.
• ·         Must have valid BC Driver’s license,
• ·         May be required to work the occasional weekend or evening,
• ·         Criminal Record check required.

Start Date: ASAP

Salary: $25/h

Benefits :

• ·         100% employer paid coverage for extended health and dental
• ·         Long term disability, life insurance, critical illness insurance, accidental death & dismemberment coverage
• ·         Employee & Family Assistance plan
• ·         Pension plan
• ·         Generous paid time off, starting at 3 weeks

Closing Date:  August 19, 2022

How to apply: Please email your cover letter and resume to Tatiana Belyaeva – Advocacy Programs Manager at tbelyaeva@sourcesbc.ca. Please include where you saw this job posting in your email. Thank you.