Whitehorn Housing Team Leader

Are you a changemaker? Come on INN!

Who Are We?

We’re an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. Inn from the Cold is the largest organization in the Calgary region dedicated to supporting families experiencing a housing crisis.

At Inn from the Cold, we offer more than a job; we provide an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Our values guide us — compassion, accountability, respect, inclusivity, courage, and innovation. We are driven by our vision of a thriving community where every child and family has a safe and stable place to call home.

We prioritize people, recognizing the uniqueness and worth of everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment to reconciliation and equity is not just a statement; it's a journey we're dedicated to, actively working alongside Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures. As a trauma informed organization, we create a safe and supportive environment, promoting healing and resilience.

We are a multidisciplinary team united by a shared vision, mission and values. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and we believe that diverse perspectives drive our success. It is this diversity and the respect and value we have for each other and our community that makes us stronger.

If this sounds like a place where you would want to work, please review the position below to see if there’s a fit with your skills and experience.

What Are We Looking For?

Position Title     Whitehorn Housing Team Leader

Job Type            Full Time

Department       Programs

Reports to          Manager, Indigenous Engagement

Summary of Role
Reporting to the Manager of Indigenous Engagement, the Whitehorn Housing Team Leader plays a central role leading a team of three Housing and Relations Support Workers. The Housing Team Leader ensures consistent delivery of high quality, housing focused services within a 52-unit supportive housing serving indigenous and Newcomer families. The Team Leader is accountable for guiding housing-focused best practices, program development, and driving excellence ensuring families receive family-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate support.

Acting as a practice expert, the Team Leader focuses on coaching and mentoring staff to maintain high program service standards, fostering a culture of learning and quality improvement. This role also supports staff in navigating complex family issues, promoting best practices in housing stability, tenancy support, and encourages a collaborative environment dedicated to service excellence. The Housing Team Leader provides oversight of day-to-day service delivery for families, and the housing team, supporting tenant-landlord relations and resolving issues affecting tenancy.

This role also requires close collaboration with the Community Hub Coordinator and the Miskanawah Cultural Program team to encourage families to participate in community programming, cultural activities, and to foster meaningful connections with other families and relations, helping families build a safe, inclusive, and thriving community.

What You'll Do

Guide, mentor, and support Housing & Relations Support Workers, providing regular feedback, strength-based coaching and guidance on housing-focused practice support.

Ensure the consistent delivery of housing-focused, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive services to families.

Oversee family referral process, caseload distribution and monitor service outcomes, ensuring families receive appropriate and timely support.

Develop and implement program policies, procedures, and best practices with guidance from the Manager, Indigenous Engagement to.

Collaborate with HomeSpace Housing Liaison workers to facilitate family referrals, rent applications, move-in/move-out inspections and foster positive landlord/tenant relations.

Coordinate with the Community Hub Coordinator and Miskanawah Cultural Program team to facilitate family member engagement in community and cultural programming.

Provide crisis intervention, problem-solving, and support to both team members and families and HomeSpace housing liaisons as required.

Ensure accurate and timely documentation, data collection, and reporting to support program evaluation and accountability.

Foster a positive, collaborative and accountable team culture, encouraging professional growth, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Represent the program at internal and external meetings, building relationships with partner organizations and stakeholders.

Oversee and ensure consistent completion of accurate, timely, and trauma-informed case notes, assessments, and records in designated systems.

Ensure completion of quarterly Medicine Wheel surveys to monitor and reflect family progress and growth.

Provide guidance and oversight to ensure family physical files are managed according to agency standards, including the collection of signed documents, assessments, and incident reports.

Track, review and report on family progress and participation in programming.

Work collaboratively with the Data Research and Evaluation (DRE) Team to maintain accurate statistics and data in the HOMES database.

This position description reflects the general duties of the position, but it is not intended to be a detailed description of all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Housing Team Leader will be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

What You Bring to our Mission

Diploma in social services or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, lived experience and professional experience.

Minimum of 3 – 5 year’s direct experience supporting families experiencing homelessness or housing instability with 1 - 2 years’ experience in a team leadership capacity.

Strong understanding of housing focused, recovery oriented, and trauma informed practice, and landlord/tenant relations.

Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, traditions, community protocols, and Indigenous-informed practices is required.

Knowledge of immigration, settlement and newcomer experiences is considered an asset.

Experience working with Indigenous and newcomer populations is highly valued.

Ability to work independently without daily direct support or supervision.

Ability to support families with empathy, courtesy and respect, and supporting family choice and autonomy.

Strong skills in advocacy, crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution.

Excellent ability to build relationships and collaborate with others.

Demonstrated ability to support families with empathy, courtesy and respect, and supporting family choice and autonomy.

Strong work ethic, sound judgment, and reasoning skills, along with a commitment to discretion and family and staff confidentiality.

Excellent teamwork skills, and experience in a multidisciplinary environment.

Able to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.

Proficient documentation, including case notes and case plans, and survey reporting skills using an information management system.

Computer literacy skills are required, including the ability to use MS Office 365 and Teams.

Valid class 5 driver’s license, and reliable vehicle required.

Current First Aid/CPR Level C, Suicide Intervention (ASIST) and De-escalation training required.

What We Offer

We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable benefits and total compensation to all staff, including:

Competitive salary, where all employees are paid a living wage at minimum

Focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, annual health spending account and employer matched RRSP contributions

Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program

Work life balance, including paid vacation starting at three weeks, wellness days, and 12 paid statutory holidays

Supportive and flexible work environment, with ongoing training and development opportunities

Potlucks, celebrations, employee engagement initiatives and plenty of fun

Strong commitment to advancing reconciliation, aligning with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Recognition that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace.

Our Commitment

Join us in a workplace where your actions contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering equity, and creating a truly inclusive and antiracist space. At Inn from the Cold, you're not just an employee but a crucial part of a community, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The INN is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is valued and prioritized. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about our mission and can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value unique perspectives and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of talents and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Join Our Team

We are excited to hear from you! We invite you to join our movement to end family homelessness in our city. If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the qualifications above, please submit your resume and cover letter at innfromthecold.org/careers

The successful candidate must satisfactorily complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until a successful candidate is found.

Inn from the Cold is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. To request an accommodation, please contact us at [email protected] before your interview.