Job Description

Company Overview

PHS Community Services Society is dedicated to providing essential housing, healthcare, harm reduction, and health promotion services to the most vulnerable and underserved individuals in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Victoria. Our mission is to create and maintain affordable housing options for those facing significant barriers in the community.

Summary

The Indigenous Outreach Worker is an integral member of a collaborative team that includes management, Residence Coordinators, and external partners. Together, they develop, implement, and review individualized case plans to support resident well-being. A key aspect of this role involves coordinating cultural outreach and activities that promote cultural safety, enhance access to services, and offer opportunities for ceremony and connection. This position provides dedicated support to residents who self-identify as Indigenous and are open to engagement. The Indigenous Outreach Worker collaborates with external service providers to help coordinate low-barrier services, aimed at improving health and wellness outcomes for Indigenous individuals. The responsibilities of this role are flexible and responsive to the diverse and evolving needs of residents and community members.

As part of relationship-building efforts, the Indigenous Outreach Worker also provides home support services as a rapport building tool, fostering trust and cultural connection in a respectful, person-centred manner. The challenges faced by Indigenous participants may include systemic racism, substance use, involvement with the justice system, financial instability, physical disabilities, and/or mental health concerns. A trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach is essential to supporting participants effectively.

Responsibilities

The job includes, but is not limited to, the following:

- Builds a compassionate and respectful presence within the Victoria community, fostering positive relationships and trust with Indigenous residents and participants.

- Provides emotional and cultural support information and referrals to Indigenous community members and to staff serving them.

- Collaborates on developing and implementing care coordination activities, procedures and protocols with PHS management and staff. Advises on culturally appropriate care response.

- Collaborates with individuals, community organizations, and government agencies, engaging with healthcare professionals to address client concerns related to harm reduction, overdose prevention, substance use detoxification, medical and mental health services, financial stability, and housing, ensuring all interactions are approached through a culturally appropriate lens.

- Coordinates and facilitates access to traditional medicine through a harm reduction lens which includes but is not limited to ceremonies such as Yuwipi, Sweat Lodges and other traditional practices and connection to Elders.

- Identifies and locates community resources including eligibility in other Indigenous Wellness programs to meet Indigenous member needs. Provides support in completing documents and applications, schedules and provides accompaniment to appointments, and advocates for inclusion. Provides conflict resolution and cultural interpretation services, as required.

- Assists residents with daily living needs such as storage management, home support, laundry, and linen changes.

- General duties include maintaining up-to-date client files and participant records, utilizing a variety of computer software applications, producing a variety of documents, filing, photocopying and performing data entry.

- Participates in team meetings and may represent PHS at external meetings when requested. Actively engages in required in-service training sessions and may also be expected to attend and contribute to case conferences.

- Develops strategies to deal with crises and unusual incidents. Documents incidents and informs management as necessary.

- Refers any media to management.

- Performs other related duties, as required.

Requirements

Diploma in Social Services or Indigenous Studies with a minimum two years' experience is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field is required. Current First Aid, CPR, Narcan, Overdose Management training is essential. In depth first-hand knowledge and expertise with indigenous cultural practices. Comprehensive understanding of the social, emotional, health, and justice-related challenges faced by the Indigenous population in Greater Victoria, with specific insight into the issues, lived experiences, and available resources within the inner-city Indigenous community. Demonstrated ability to understand and display empathy with Indigenous women and men who have experienced violence, including those perpetrating violence. Ability to anticipate potential problems or conflicts and take appropriate actions. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and establish workload priorities. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and maintain confidentiality, both orally and in writing, with residents, their families, colleagues, and other health care staff. Demonstrated ability to establish satisfactory work relationships with the public, other service providers and co-workers. Extensive knowledge of mental health conditions and treatment approaches, including recovery-oriented practices and awareness of relevant health and community resources. Demonstrated understanding of and ability to work in an intensive community environment, maintaining a high level of empathy and compassion while understanding and implementing compassionately informed boundaries. In depth knowledge of harm reduction principles and their practical application across a broad range of health, mental health, substance use, and wellness-related issues. Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team. Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized resident care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet, and e-mail software. Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry.*
Class 5 Driver's License a strong asset*

Hours:

37.5hrs/wk

Schedule:

Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Location:

Victoria Projects and Programs

Start Date:

July 14, 2025

CBA:

CUPE 5536

Grid:

34

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $31.56 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Additional pay:

Overtime pay
Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Dental care Disability insurance Employee assistance program Extended health care Life insurance Paid time off Vision care Wellness program
Schedule:

8 hour shift Day shift Monday to Friday
Licence/Certification:

First Aid Certification (preferred)
Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-07-14