All candidates subject to a criminal record search.

Job Description including required qualifications below.

About MPA Society

MPA Society is an award-winning and accredited non-profit service agency that has supported people living with mental illness for over 50 years. Created on the principle of self-empowerment, our programs promote the dignity and well-being of people with mental illness by inspiring hope and supporting their recovery. MPA Society operates over 30 social, recreational, advocacy and housing programs that support people in their own communities.

This position will work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders across the Metro Vancouver area. This dynamic working environment will be a balance between managing stakeholder relationships, data management and utilization to maximize outcomes, and program advocacy and procurement. We offer competitive wages and benefits, and opportunities to grow professionally with the organization while applying your abilities and values in a meaningful way for those we support.

NON-CONTRACT ROLE DESCRIPTION

ROLE SUMMARY

The Portfolio Development Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining a market rental housing portfolio that will provide people who are homeless and living with serious mental illness an opportunity for improved health and well-being through quality stabilized housing, and access to services and supports provided by partnered organizations (ACT and ICM service providers).

The Portfolio Development Officer works in partnership with service providers in the community who will provide support services to participants in the program. Works closely with MPA’s community partners to ensure the success of the program.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Maintains a portfolio of rental units that provides people with quality housing choices in neighbourhoods throughout the Fraser Valley by creating new and building on existing relationships with property managers and private landlords, educating and supporting landlords towards successful tenancies.
• Develops quality control guidelines and checklists to monitor landlord performance with respect to responsiveness to tenancy issues, and compliance with the rental tenancy act and tenancy agreements.
• Assists in resolving disputes between landlords and tenants, employing mediation and problem-solving techniques. Maintain ongoing communications with landlords and ACT/ICM workers, providing appropriate intervention with landlords as necessary.
• Engages people with lived experience in public education forums and landlord relations.
• Creates and maintains program specific rental data base of housing unit providers/landlords and tenants.
• Negotiates and authorizes legal agreements on behalf of the organization and/or third parties.
• Develops financial budgets and determines effective use of resources.
• In conjunction with the Director, assists in the creation and implementation of a communication plan for promoting public understanding and support for the MHCC objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, plus 3 years’ experience in the rental real estate market and working with the Residential Tenancy Act.

• Familiar with economic analysis and trends in the rental real estate market and with the Residential Tenancy Act.
• Working knowledge of mental health and addictions including recovery models, challenges faced by people with serious mental illness in securing market housing, and issues affecting those with lived experience.
• Experience educating or speaking publicly to a diverse audience.
• Experience facilitating and employing problem-solving techniques for resolving conflict and disputes.
• Ability to interact at all levels with diplomacy and to motivate and inspire a culture of collaboration
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment, with minimal supervision, and comfortable performing diverse tasks without significant reliance on support staff
• Excellent communication skills and presentation skills
• Sensitivity to the issues surrounding mental illness, poverty, addictions, alternative lifestyles and life-limiting illnesses
• Excellent organizational skills. Ability to define priorities and manage time effectively in dealing with multiple priorities
• Valid BC Drivers License (a company vehicle will be provided)