Maintenance Coordinator - Part-Time (Nora Hendrix Place)

About Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS)

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 social housing facility located in the heart of Hogan’s Alley Block. It is specifically designed to accommodate Black and Indigenous individuals at risk of homelessness. These units serve as temporary housing until residents can secure a more permanent housing solution. Each unit is self-contained, featuring a private bathroom and kitchen facilities. Additionally, a minimum of 10% of the units are wheelchair accessible.

Since its establishment in 2019, Nora Hendrix Place has been operated in partnership with Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS), with a focus on developing internal capacity as a culturally informed housing provider. Recently, HAS has assumed full operational responsibility for Nora Hendrix Place, taking over from its previous co-operator, Atira. As part of this transition, HAS is actively recruiting new staff members for Nora Hendrix Place and has introduced additional positions within the facility. These efforts are aimed at enhancing the support services offered and improving the overall wellbeing of residents.

This transition marks an important milestone for HAS as it moves towards becoming a culturally informed housing operator. It aligns with the broader vision for Hogan’s Alley Block, which aims to develop an asset-based model that empowers racialized communities to actively contribute to city-building efforts and address longstanding economic, social, and political disparities.

Scope of Role

Reporting to the NHP Management Team, the Maintenance Coordinator responds to interior and exterior maintenance tasks with the majority of the work taking place in residents’ rooms and common areas, and the position involves interacting with residents. The Maintenance Coordinator is fully capable of attending to electrical, plumbing, and carpentry; both in regular maintenance and emergency repair tasks. Staff are expected to bring a compassionate and non-judgmental approach to attending to residents’ maintenance needs in both occupied and unoccupied units.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for the repair and maintenance of the interior and exterior of the building and property when on shift, to ensure that the mandate and values of Hogan’s Alley Society are upheld.
• Establishes, monitors and carries out preventative maintenance for buildings, equipment and grounds. Ensures building and equipment meets safety, security and fire regulations and policies.
• Performs carpentry, electrical, painting, mechanical and plumbing maintenance and repairs such as repairing furniture, constructing shelves, installing switches, replacing plugs and other basic appliance repairs, applying paint and other finishes, repairing drywall, disassembling and reassembling equipment, replacing sinks and toilets and applying finishing material such as linoleum.
• Collects and removes garbage and recyclable materials and ensures the safe disposal of hazardous materials.
• Communicates with the management and staff team on a daily basis with regards to all concerns, events and activities of significance.
• Assists in the completion of monthly building reports.
• Applies HAS procurement policy and procedures to acquire goods and services.
• Oversee maintenance supplies inventory.
• Fosters a sense of community and provides social, emotional, and behavior management support to residents.
• Provide 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.
• Responding to resident-related emergency calls when the building management team is not on site.
• Administer basic first aid, CPR, and/or overdose response.

Skills/Knowledge/Experience

• Proven experience in building maintenance and repair.
• Excellent understanding of supportive housing management, rules, and regulations.
• Courses and training in building systems management would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of Indigenous communities and health resources.
• Understands of the ongoing impact of colonialism and the residential school system.
• Understands 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.
• Must demonstrate clear, direct, and sensitive verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with community resources and within a team setting.

Training/Education Required

• Minimum three years' experience (depending on education) working in a related field maintaining building interior and exterior, including some experience working with people affected by trauma and who may also struggle with substance use and or mental wellness. The equivalent combination of relevant 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 Non-violent 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.

Closing date:

Positions will remain open until filled.

Thank you in advance to all applicants.

Hogan’s Alley Society acknowledges that we work and organize on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. We offer our commitment to working in good relations with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples and to working in solidarity to address the long-lasting impacts that colonialism, genocide, and systemic racism have had on Indigenous peoples.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: $20.00-$25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Application question(s):

• Please tell us briefly how your lived experience and/or close connection to the Black or Indigenous communities in Canada have prepared you for this role.
• What is your availability for work scheduling if you are the successful candidate for this role?
• Do you have prior experience working with vulnerable populations?

Work Location: In person