Abbey Ridge Team Lead

Job Description

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Manager of Abbey Ridge, the Team Lead will work as part of the team in supporting clients and staff in delivering the Supportive Living Program at both Abbey Ridge locations. The team lead will take a strong leadership role in supporting the Manager in overseeing the daily activities of Abbey Ridge’s programs and completing a variety of support and administrative duties.

Duties and Responsibilities

Team Leadership:

• Lend support to staff in planning and carrying out of programming for youth to foster independence and healthy transition to adulthood by encouraging positive attitudes and reinforcing concrete daily living skills which are necessary for successful independent living
• Oversee and support the team in all case management. Provide leadership, guidance, and support to program staff when applicable
• Participate on Abbey Ridge’s referral committee in the referral process for youth when directed by the Manager and maintain strong key networks within the community
• Responsible for ensuring that youth programming is developed, delivered, and monitored
• Coordinate programming opportunities with external community agencies
• Meet with youth as required to discuss case management and provide supportive counselling and crisis intervention when appropriate
• Assume on-call responsibilities and follow prescribed procedures when scheduled
• Assess and address the immediate and basic needs of the program’s youth
• Complete and maintain logs, files and records when directed by the Manager and ensure confidentiality is protected
• Liaise with other agencies on behalf of youth and programs and participate in community committees, projects, or activities as appropriate; build positive relationships with the families, schools, and communities of the youth
• Form healthy relationships with youth, model healthy living and positive choices and contribute to a supportive environment that focuses on youth empowerment and decisions
• Ensure a quality, effective, and client-directed program is always delivered and contributes to a collaborative and cohesive work environment
• Transport youth on occasion

Building/Facility:

• Identify the details of any damage/disrepair and report to Manager of Abbey Ridge
• Ensure Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures are followed to maintain staff and client safety and security
• Run house errands when directed by the Manager

Administrative:

• Support all aspects of the program including strategic planning, program development and implementation, service delivery and communication
• Oversee staff scheduling and submit payroll bi-weekly. This includes arranging last-minute coverage
• Assume the role and responsibilities of the manager, when necessary, i.e., on-call weekends, vacation, and mental health and wellbeing coverage
• Ensure Abbey Ridge’s program is congruent with New Dawn’s vision and values. Provide suggestions to the Manager for change and/or improvement based on observations of what is or is not working
• Work in accordance with Abbey Ridge and New Dawn’s policies, procedures, and framework of practice
• Work with the Manager to determine needs for hiring casual staff
• Facilitate the on-boarding process of staff and clients in collaboration with the Manager
• Facilitate the departure process for clients and staff in collaboration with the Manager and/or Community Housing Support Worker
• Supervise placement students when applicable
• Work with the Manager to develop and deliver staff training i.e. orientations, emergency procedures, incidents, daily routines etc
• Take notes during resident and staff meetings and lead these meetings in the Manager’s absence.
• Create documents when directed by the Manager
• Possess working knowledge of and efficiency in the Homeless Individual and Family Information System (HIFIS), housing subsidies and information on housing assistance programs

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in regular supervision and informal debriefs
• Participate in both New Dawn and Abbey Ridge internal/team meetings and PD sessions
• Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity to portray New Dawn in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations when appropriate
• Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow through to build trust and workplace relationships
• Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally
• Other duties as required

Qualifications

• Demonstrated high level of understanding of youth development and the issues of homelessness
• Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication, youth service and organizational skills
• Experience supervising employees, and/or students, volunteers with demonstrated leadership, supervision skills and ability to develop an effective team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and using the Internet
• Physical ability to lift light loads, walk up and down stairs, and maintain a fairly active pace
• Extensive knowledge of community resources, government funding, and the social service delivery system an asset
• Strong understanding of facility management, security, and health and safety is an asset
• Relevant education in the social service field and/or experience working with youth
• Demonstrated skill using anti-oppressive practice (harm reduction, narrative practice, a client directed approach and a social justice perspective)
• Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention
• Standard First Aid/CPR and Food Safety or commitment to secure upon hiring
• Positive attitude and ability to work in a team environment

Working Conditions

• Some travel may be necessary
• Some bending and lifting is required to clean/maintain home
• Manual dexterity is required to use desktop computers and peripherals
• Some evening and weekend work may be required
• Overtime as required