Health Care Support Worker (Casual) at Hogan's Alley Society – Vancouver, British Columbia

About Hogan's Alley Society

Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the social, political, economic, and cultural well-being of people of African descent (Black People) through the delivery of inclusive housing, built spaces, and culturally informed programming. For years, the Society has been a leading advocate for people of African Descent in Metro Vancouver who have endured the legacies of so-called urban renewal, residential displacement, and the attempted erasure from Vancouver’s historical narrative.

About Nora Hendrix Place (NHP)

Nora Hendrix Place is a 52-unit temporary modular supportive housing facility located in the heart of Hogan’s Alley Block. Purpose‑built to support Black and Indigenous individuals at risk of homelessness, the building offers safe, stable, and culturally attuned housing. Each unit is self‑contained and includes a private bathroom and kitchen, with at least 10% of units designed to be fully wheelchair accessible.

Since opening in 2019, Nora Hendrix Place has served as an important community resource within Hogan’s Alley. Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) operates the building and its programs as the culturally informed housing provider for the site. HAS is committed to delivering holistic, community‑centered supports that prioritize resident wellbeing, dignity, and connection.

As part of this work, HAS is expanding its staffing complement and strengthening on‑site services to better meet the needs of residents and the surrounding community. This approach aligns with the organization’s broader vision for Hogan’s Alley Block, building a values‑based model that uplifts racialized communities, restores cultural belonging, and advances economic, social, and political equity through community‑led city‑building.

About the role

Reporting to the NHP Management Team, the Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is responsible for the administrative, maintenance, and safety functions of the building and provides a range of support services for the residents at Nora Hendrix Place (NHP). The HCSW will be the first point of contact for residents, guests, service providers, and trades people coming into the building and will enact NHP policy and procedures related to safety and building access accordingly. The HCSW will collaborate with residents and staff to provide a range of services, including guest management, planning, day-to-day physical, emotional, and social supports, life skills assistance, information, and resources. The HCSW may supervise work crews and/or provide direction to volunteers. The HCSW may provide daily support including, building safety, crisis intervention and prevention, and general problem solving. The HCSW also works collaboratively with other direct service staff, families and with external service providers and government ministries involved in the care and support of residents.

What you'll do

• Performs administrative functions such as operating building communications systems, maintenance of all front desk procedures and systems, related record keeping, and data-basing.
• Maintains safety for the building and the residents by enacting NHP guest policies and procedures.
• Ensure the building environment is safe and comfortable by: monitoring building access points and security systems.
• Works with the Maintenance Coordinator in providing instructions and direction to work crews, and/or provides direction to volunteers.
• Receives supplies, checks invoices against orders and goods received, stores and distributes supplies.
• Provides Crisis intervention work: Mental health de-compensations (including suicidal crises), or physical health crises (including violence, sexual assaults): ensuring tenant safety while calling relevant emergency services. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention: respond to verbal aggression calmly, patiently, non-judgmentally, and non-personally; creating acceptable options for tenant(s); calling police when unable to de-escalate the situation; and the safety of the program participant or others are in question. Documenting and reporting all crises to the management team.
• Communicate, coordinate and collaborate with other service providers involved in the care and support of the residents, including other HAS Housing workers/programs, mental health professionals, substance use services, workers from government ministries, community outreach workers and health care providers.
• Assist incoming and outgoing residents with any challenges associated with a transition of residency, introduction to new community and new support services.
• Clean offices, common areas, and washrooms, including sweeping/mopping, dusting, washing dishes, washing fixtures; clean other areas as needed or directed in the absence of maintenance staff; liaise with maintenance staff; put away and assist with food donations
• Actively and positively contribute to building a skilled, cohesive, collaborative staff team, including demonstrating commitment to organization and building policies; resolving conflict and negativity as they arise; assisting in orientating, training and mentoring to all staff, including relief/casual staff.
• Administer basic first aid and/or CPR.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the management team.

Qualifications

Skills/Knowledge/Experience

• Excellent understanding of supportive housing management, rules, and regulations.
• Experience and knowledge about mental health diagnosis, medications, treatment and support resources.
• Knowledge of Indigenous histories, communities and health resources.
• Understanding of the ongoing impact of colonialism and the residential school system.
• Have a clear understanding of Black history in Canada, and experience working with immigrants and refugees.
• Have an understanding and analysis of the impacts of anti-Blackness and anti-Indigeneity
• Have knowledge of the legacies of so-called urban renewal, residential displacement, and the attempted erasure of the people of African Descent in Metro Vancouver from Vancouver’s historical narrative.
• Basic sound knowledge of relevant physical health issues (e.g. HIV and Hepatitis C), including diagnosis, treatment, and support resources.
• Create and construct effective relationships with the neighborhood and the community to ensure the program is maximally integrated into the community.
• Knowledge of the housing continuum, including market, subsidized, and supported housing systems, including different program models.
• Must demonstrate clear, direct, and sensitive verbal and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of systems theory, strategy development, counseling, advocacy, community networking and life skills development.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with community resources and within a team setting.
• Strong de-escalation skills and ability to safely resolve crisis situations.

Training/Education Required

• Minimum, a diploma or certificate in a relevant discipline (e.g., community support worker, mental health and addictions worker or social services worker) with a minimum of one year of related work experience and applicable skill-based training may be considered.
• Lived experience is invaluable, as is living in the community in which you work. HAS strives to hire staff who reflect the people we serve.
• Must complete an acceptable Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Search report.
• Must hold a current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate.
• A current Crisis Prevention Institute certificate or Nonviolent crisis intervention training is an asset.
• Mental Health First Aid is an asset but not required.
• Harm reduction and Naloxone training.

Personal Attributes:

• Flexible - able to adapt to an ever-changing environment and open to taking on diverse tasks whenever needed.
• A quick thinker who can make decisions without agonizing and who knows when to reach out to others for guidance and support.
• Committed to working with people struggling with substance use and comfortable working in a harm reduction environment.
• Strong consultative and relationship building skills.
• Embraces the mission, vision, values, and philosophy of Hogan’s Alley Society
• Ability to de-escalate conflict and crisis situations.
• Put clients first and work to include them in all decisions that affect their lives.
• Well-developed understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression work and intersectionality.
• Committed to working with tenants who may be struggling with substance use, brain trauma and cognitive impairment, and/or mental illness.
• Understands and is comfortable working within a harm reduction environment and while you support tenants who choose abstinence, you understand abstinence is just one option for those struggling with substance use.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with programs that serve vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Understanding of trauma informed care and support.
• Lived experience and/or connections to and within diverse Black and Indigenous communities is an asset. HAS strives to hire staff who reflect the people we serve.