24/7 Crisis Diversion Worker – Casual Position

REPORTS TO: 24/7 Crisis Diversion Manager

SALARY RANGE: $20.32 per hour

HOURS: As needed

JOB ID: 19-059BSCS

“Despite great challenges we believe unhealthy cycles can be broken, new opportunities created and, through healing, health restored.”

Would you like to be a part of an organization that works with some of Edmonton’s most vulnerable populations and counts on the professionalism, expertise, insight, and passion of its staff to develop programs and services for the clients they work with? Join us at Boyle Street Community Services.

“We stand with our clients, side by side, patiently and for as long as they want – a constant and consistent caring force”

Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) is a values-driven organization that believes our clients are the experts in their own life. Your job will be to foster innovation with your team alongside our clients.  If your values are aligned with our values and beliefs listed at: https://www.boylestreet.org/mission-history, please consider joining our team.

Job Purpose:

As part of the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team, workers will respond to calls to assist individuals, many of whom are homeless or marginally housed, who are in a crisis situation, often related to intoxication or mental health concerns. Workers must assess situations, identify required needs, and transport individuals to appropriate services.

The key function of this position is to provide support to clients referred by the public or emergency services to the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team. Workers will assist through interventions to divert inappropriate use of medical and police services and support individuals to make appropriate service connections.

The Boyle Street Crisis Diversion Team is part of a partnership involving REACH Edmonton, the Canadian Mental Health Association and Hope Mission, and works closely with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). Collaboration is a key component of this position.

There are three Crisis Diversion teams, with shifts running 7AM-7PM, 3PM-3AM, and 7PM-7AM. Casual employees may be called to fill shifts for any of these times as needed and preference will be for those individuals that can work the 3PM-3AM and 7PM-7AM shifts.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Individuals must have the ability to function in high-pressure situations and respond quickly to individuals in crisis
• Conduct risk and needs assessments and safety planning to reduce potential threats and retaliation
• Provide on call crisis intervention by minimizing the harm to the individual and others, and assisting the individual to connect to appropriate supports
• Make appropriate supported referrals to housing, health and community services and provide advocacy support services with individuals
• Operate the 24/7 Crisis Diversion Van to provide safe and timely transportation for individuals that may be experiencing crisis
• Follow up and coordinate with other service providers to ensure clients are referred to appropriate supports
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with program partners and other community agencies

Qualifications:

Education:

Degree or equivalent in social services or related field.  Candidates without a degree but who have relevant and related experience will also be considered

Skills, Abilities and Attitudes:

• Able to solve problems for clients quickly, creatively and ethically
• Able to work in a respectful and client-centered manner
• Understand how to employ de-escalation techniques
• Flexible and adaptable to change
• Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Works with initiative, commitment and enthusiasm; physically fit
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint)
• Familiar with entering data into databases, such as the Efforts to Outcomes system
• Able to plan and make decisions in a timely, organized and appropriate manner

Experience and other requirements:

• At least two years’ experience delivering community-based services
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices, motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques
• Experience networking with a range of partners and stakeholders
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of poverty-related issues, trends and services, particularly within, but not limited to the urban Aboriginal population
• Must have a valid class 5 license, and clean driver’s abstract
• Criminal Record and Child Intervention Checks (results will be reviewed on a case by case basis)

Closing Date: Until Suitable Candidates are Found

Boyle Street Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of the communities we serve, and are committed to engaging and developing a diverse and inclusive workforce. Boyle Street Community Services welcomes applications from First Nation, Inuit, Métis, New Canadian, differently-abled, and LGBTQ2S communities.