Under the supervision of the Director of Programming & Operations, the Housing Assistant is a competent individual committed to IRCOM’s mandate to empower newcomer families to integrate into the wider community. This staff is a detail oriented, confident and resourceful individual that loves working with people. As a highly organized individual with exceptional administrative and computer skills, the Housing Assistant is able to manage many challenges and expectations easily. The Housing Assistant will exhibit and uphold IRCOM’s core values of integration, inclusion, social justice and empowerment, working in a way that is people-centered, holistic and partnership based.

Objective

The objective of the Housing Assistant position is to administer an efficient, responsive, fair and well-respected IRCOM housing program. As the first point of contact for all housing related inquiries including; applications, wait list, tenant orientation, lease signings, and tenant issue management, the Housing Assistant makes sure tenants, staff and the general public have the information and resources they need related to housing, in a timely manner. As the principal housing resource for newcomer families the Housing Assistant has the capacity to improve tenancy outcomes at IRCOM and for families transitioning out of IRCOM as well. This will be done in cooperation with the administrative team and all IRCOM staff members.

General House Administration

• Reception: greet tenants, applicants and IRCOM House Inc. partners, answer housing related phone calls, maintain an office that welcomes newcomers
• Distribute notices and house communication documents to tenants
• Maintain filing system
• Develop, coordinate and maintain house administrative procedures
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of all tenant communication and files
• Serve as an assistant to the Isabel Director of Programming & Operations

Housing Support

• Meet with House applicants, explain IRCOM’s application process and criteria
• Receive tenancy applications, screen for eligibility, collect relevant information and documentation, enter data and place on waitlist
• Monitor waitlist and select new tenants from the IRCOM waitlist in accordance with relevant IRCOM policies for both IRCOM Isabel and IRCOM Ellen
• Inform relevant staff of move out and move in dates
• Assist the Live-In Caretaker with initial housing needs, such as walk-through, orientations and move-ins
• Track maintenance issues which are informed by tenants or staff, then notify the house manager/caretaker
• On-going correspondence with Welcome Place, Acceuil Francophone, and Employment & Income Assistance
• Calculate rent amount based on relevant IRCOM policies
• Collect rent cheques and maintain rent collection database in cooperation with IRCOM’s accountant
• Manage the parking lot waitlist
• Work closely with the Community Resource Program to develop workshops, methods and processes to best support tenants
• Collect tenant repair requests and coordinate schedule with Live-In Caretaker tracking completion date

Tenant Relations

• Mediate complaints and conflicts involving IRCOM House tenants
• Respond to problems of noise, cleanliness, suite maintenance, etc.
• Educate tenants on tenant rights and responsibilities in Canada through personal discussions as well as workshops
• Help IRCOM tenants understand pest management procedures, suite preparation instructions and unwanted furniture removal procedures
• Design and deliver relevant home maintenance, RTB Rights and Responsibilities, Housing Options workshops and training to tenants in collaboration with relevant IRCOM staff and partners (ie. Director of Housing, New Journey Housing, etc.)
• Deal positively with applicants waiting for IRCOM housing
• Be able to maintain IRCOM House rules with kind authority

Next Stage Housing

• Liaise with EIA with respect to tenant needs regarding housing
• Provide and support tenants in completing next stage housing applications
• Refer tenants to New Journey Housing for additional support after first year at IRCOM
• Facilitate a smooth move out process in collaboration with relevant staff including set up of Tenant Exit
• Interviews with the Executive Director or designate
• Provide tenancy references as requested
• Prepare and deliver tenancy related documents as required by the Residential Tenancies Act
• Attend RTB hearings and mediations on behalf of IRCOM House Inc.

Communications & Reporting

• Maintain and provide current tenant rental and demographic information, including rent calculations and parking information
• Organize contributions for, put together and deliver, the IRCOM House (Isabel) monthly tenant newsletter
• Issue letters of correspondence on behalf of IRCOM House Inc
• Oversee the Isabel parking lot and handle tenant and staff complaints and concerns
• Meet weekly with relevant staff to ensure strong cross-departmental communication
• Compile data as required for the completion of all housing related MHRC requested reports managing MHRC timelines
• Perform rent related duties (rent collection, deposits, receipts, annual rent reviews and lease signing, rent calculations, tax receipts)

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education or diploma plus a minimum 2 years direct administrative experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Must be open-minded, resourceful, highly motivated, creative and independent
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act and procedures
• Experience working in a housing facility
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work
• Strong written and oral English communication skills
• Extensive computer experience with Microsoft applications and experience creating, designing and manipulating spreadsheets
• Excellent cross-cultural and team work skills
• Ability to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Strong understanding of the immigration process and challenges
• Must be open-minded, resourceful, highly motivated, creative and independent
• Demonstrated strong commitment to supporting and empowering the newcomer community through previous volunteering / community involvement
• International education/experience is recognized
• Newcomer experience is an asset
• Knowledge of a second language is an asset

Hours of work

This is a full-time position to a maximum of 37.5 hours per week. The Housing Assistant’s hours will take place predominantly during IRCOM business hours between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and will be located at two sites. However, staff may have to work some evenings and weekends.

Other

The salary for this position is $32,480.

Employment Equity is a factor in selection. Applicants are requested to indicate in their covering letter or résumé if they are from any of the following groups: women, Aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with a disability.

To apply for this position please submit your résumé and cover letter by May 9, 2016 to:

Office Administrator
95 Ellen Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1S8
Email: admin at ircom.ca
Fax: 204 - 943 – 4810

Please make sure your cover letter and résumé clearly indicate which position(s) you are applying for and how you meet the qualifications.

SOURCE: IRCOM