Community Relations Officer
Cape Breton District
Location: Sydney
Type of Employment: Full-Time, Permanent
Union Status: CUPE Local 4840
Competition #22112
Closing Date: December 28, 2022

About Us

Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency (NSPHA) is the provincial government agency responsible for the administration and delivery of affordable housing solutions for low-income Nova Scotians.

We contribute to the prosperity of Nova Scotia by helping individuals and families find a home that’s right for them, at a price they can afford, in a healthy and vibrant community that offers the services, support and opportunities they need. We accomplish this by working closely with other levels of government as well as private and community partners.

Across its districts, NSPHA provides more than 11,200 safe, affordable homes as part of its Housing Services to seniors and families. District offices manage the day-to-day operations of Nova Scotia’s housing stock. Their responsibilities include administering tenant applications and placements, collecting rent, resolving tenant issues, and maintaining and repairing properties.

About Our Opportunity

The Community Relations Officer assist the client services supervisors with visiting tenants and discussing housing options, making moving arrangements, and helping tenants with referrals to community-based organization. In addition, the Community Relations Officer is responsible for providing social work services that involve a variety of complex social issues and personal situations. The incumbent works in collaboration with residents to identify their needs, attain services, and to promote health and safety; to maintain the highest possible quality of life for all residents living in public housing.

Primary Accountabilities

• Provide guidance and make recommendations to seniors and families to ensure their safety and ability to function independently and to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
• Work in collaboration with the Client Service Supervisor and other NSPHA staff to assist families, seniors and adults by responding to referrals involving complex issues that are health-related (physical and mental health); home support issues; parenting and/or family issues; addictions (drug/alcohol/gambling); tenant disputes; abuse/neglect (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial) in family and child situations as well as senior and disabled adults in need of protection; and financial/employment issues/arrears.
• Conduct assessments through home visits, establishing rapport with tenant and their support network to determine the level of risk and need for services and successful integration into the community for new tenants.
• Partner and collaborate with community agencies and government programs such as Home Care Nova Scotia, Adult Protection, Child Protection, and Income Assistance, medical personnel such as doctors, geriatric and mental health specialists, hospital workers, etc., as well as family members and other advocates and volunteer groups.
• Maintain client records through file recording and ongoing communication with NSPHA staff to ensure a unified and beneficial approach to service in accordance with Nova Scotia Association of Social Workers guidelines.
• Participate in program and policy development, in addition to team meetings, staff training and development seminars
• Prepare monthly statistical reports (descriptive statistics).

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or diploma in Human Services, Social Services, Social Work or Gerontology plus five years’ experience or equivalent experience and training.
• Excellent knowledge of social work theory/principles/ethics.
• Extensive knowledge of health and social service systems, including long-term care, classification levels and procedures for placement in residential care, case management principles, risk assessment, community development approaches, special needs populations, developmental process of aging and family dynamics.
• Good knowledge of relevant legislation, including Adult Protection Act, Family and Children Services Act, Young Offenders Act, Criminal Code, Residential Tenancies Act, etc.
• Possess a valid Nova Scotia driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle for work purposes.

Assets

• Knowledge of Yardi Property Management software.
• Possess current Emergency First Aid and WHMIS certifications.

Competencies required at this level of work are Problem Solving, Communication, Teamwork and Intercultural & Diversity Proficiency.

If you are a team player, who is passionate about improving the lives of Nova Scotians, you are the candidate we are looking for to join our team. We will assess qualifications using one of more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks. Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer.
Checks may include one or more of the following: criminal background checks, driver’s abstract, and confirmation of education credentials.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, eligibility and union agreement, the NSPHA offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs and flexible working schedules.

Classification: PR 08
Salary Range: $28.78 to $35.28 Hourly
Work Week: 35 hours

Note: This is not a Civil Service position.

We are committed to employing staff who are representative of the diverse community we serve.If you are a member of one or more of the following designated groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your cover letter or resume: Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your application.

To Apply

Please merge your cover letter and resume into one document when applying. In the cover letter or resume, please quote the competition number and name.

Our preferred method of applying is through Career Beacon.

Submissions must be received by midnight on the closing date. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $28.78-$35.28 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Vision care

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Sydney, NS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• public relations: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: One location

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