Housing Support Worker

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

Competitive salaries

Generous paid vacation time

Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time

Additional paid stat and civic holidays

35 hour work week 

Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.

Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account

Competitive Retirement Savings Plan up to 16% with organization match pending position

Paid sick days

Paid cultural/personal wellness days

Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance

Ongoing professional development.

Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses

Remote/hybrid work offered for various positions

Paid management days

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honour the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Housing Worker advocates and supports Indigenous people 16 years of age or older who are or are 
at imminent risk of homelessness throughout the province. Priority is given to Indigenous people who are 
at a greater risk of losing their children to the child welfare system and or who are at a greater risk of 
becoming in conflict with the law because of their homelessness.

The Nihdawin Program assists Indigenous people in these circumstances and supports their traditional 
roles within our culture. The Housing worker provides advocacy and support in the areas of housing,
maintaining existing housing and finding affordable sustainable housing for Indigenous people, acting as 
advocates with Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, the court system, schools, landlords
and medical services. Nihdawin recognizes the importance of providing wraparound supports and services 
to attend to the needs of Indigenous people as they strive for personal recovery, to maintain their families 
and live their best lives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Post-secondary diploma/degree in social work, indigenous learning, women’s studies with a
minimum three (3) years’ work experience in community service delivery.

Knowledge of housing systems.

Proven experience in and knowledge of victims’ issues surrounding housing and homelessness,
poverty, and addictions.

Proven experience navigating mental health, addiction, and housing systems on behalf of community 
members.

Strong communicator - excellent written, oral, and facilitation skills.

Experience in advocacy with demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous families 
and/or communities. The ability to speak Ojibway and/or Oji-Cree is an asset.

Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to create and maintain a confidential, welcoming, friendly, and safe environment for 
Community Members.

Knowledge of and relationships with other service agencies, ability to network and 
create/maintain these relationships.

Strong organizational/time management skills with an ability to plan ahead to define measurable 
objectives and outcomes and meet objectives in a timely manner.

Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able 
to improve performance through management feedback.

Working knowledge of MS Office Software, internet, and general office equipment.

Valid G Class Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance.

Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.

A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.

Must be willing and able to work a flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may 
include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will 
be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.

Ability/willingness to travel and to work flexible hours.

Please know, this is an existing role we are looking to fill.

The full salary range for this role is $49,500- $60,778 ONWA conducts annual performance reviews, and employees may be eligible for salary adjustments based on performance outcomes and available funding.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at [email protected].