Supervisor of Housing Services

Position Details

• Location: St. Thomas
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Engagement Type: Permanent
• Department: Social Services
• Work Location: On-Site
• Category: Social Services
• Subcategory: Housing & Homelessness
• Job Level: Supervisor / Lead

Position Synopsis and Purpose

Under the general direction of the Manager of Housing Services, the Supervisor of Housing Services supervises housing initiatives such as monitoring, evaluating, reporting and implementing housing programs and services in St. Thomas-Elgin. This position is responsible for the direct supervision of frontline staff in Housing Services, effective delivery of housing programs and providing support to the Manager of Housing Services in the implementation of strategic priorities. The Supervisor of Housing Services participates on committees (new initiatives, special projects), facilitates staff training, discussion groups, community forums, workshops and interacts with provincial staff, social service agencies, non-profit housing providers, elected officials, lawyers, community agencies, and client groups to verify and/or provide information. Ensures effective and efficient delivery of Housing Services.

Major Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Department and Staff Supervision (40%)

• Supervision of and Housing Services unionized staff.
• Participates in the selection and hiring of employees.
• Appraises the performance and conduct of employees.
• Recommends candidates for hire, discipline and termination of employees.
• Schedules and/or grants sick and vacation requests.
• Encourages and assists in maintaining high standard of morale.
• Ensures operations and practices are consistent with the terms of any collective agreement and or by-law.
• Reviews and approves/denies recommendations from staff and Non-profit Housing Providers with regard to deviation from legislation, policies, or procedures.
• Provides guidance and direction to staff and Non-profit Housing Providers on decision making and interpretation of legislation, provincial regulations and local policies, and procedures.
• Provides advice, guidance and direction on dealing with both difficult tenants and tenant relations in general to staff and Non-Profit Housing Providers.
• Leads the coordination of training of staff and ensures all program standards are met.
• Reviews and approves requests for exceptions to the Housing Stability Financial Assistance program guidelines by Housing Programs Coordinators and Social Services Employment and Income Support Coordinators.
• Guides and supports Housing Programs Coordinators with interactions with the Landlord Tenant Board.
• Assigns special projects to housing staff or other social services staff when necessary.
• Collaborates with other city staff with regard to coordinated service delivery, i.e., treasury department, maintenance department, environmental services etc.
• On behalf of the Service Manager, acts as lead resource to Non-profit Housing Providers for the Housing Services area in accordance with relevant legislation, corporate and departmental policies and procedures, and provincial directives.
• Supports the completion of operational and financial reviews of Non-profit Housing Providers; monitors and analyses annual reports and financial reconciliation submissions from private, municipal, and cooperative Non-profit Housing Providers and from private for-profit developers; implements and monitors corrective actions as required.
• Monitors, revises, recommends for approval and implements Public and Social Housing operating procedures as required.
• In collaboration with the Manager of Housing Services, allocates, approves and issues provincial funding to Non-profit Housing Providers for repairs to social housing properties.
• Collaborates with Manager of Facilities with regard to developing coordinated plans for both staff duties and dealing with mutual tenant issues.

Administrative Duties (30%)

• Contributes to the development and implementation of local policies and procedures related to the Housing Services department and ensures all program requirements are met.
• Assists with the creation, delivery and monitoring of social and affordable housing and homelessness prevention strategies and initiatives including Portable Housing Benefits, rent supplements, affordable home ownership, home repair program, the Housing Stability Financial Assistance program and federal and provincial housing programs.
• Collaborates with the Manager of Housing Services and Director of Social Services on the allocation of targeted provincial funding.
• Receives and provides guidance to housing provider requests for provincial funding and approves and verifies appropriate spending of funds.
• Participates in preparation and currency of the annual departmental operating budget and provincial service contracts and budgets; monitors and reports on service provision and fiscal spending both municipally and provincially.
• Participates in the completion and submission of provincial reports.
• Completion of the Service Manager Annual Income Review (SMAIR) and other provincial reports as required.
• Receives and completes requests for discharges and postponement of liens with Director of Social Services’ approval.
• As part of the management team, contributes to the decision making of office policies and procedures.
• Serves as backup for the Manager of Housing Services as required.
• Performs such other related duties, responsibilities and functions as assigned.

Community Engagement (20%)

• Liaises with and maintains effective working relationships with community agencies, provincial and federal partners and related agencies to support housing and homelessness prevention programs and issues.
• Works in partnership to develop and support service protocols.
• Under the guidance of the Manager of Housing Services, prepares departmental responses on issues related to housing and eviction / homelessness prevention and participates in community and provincial initiatives.