Crisis Specialist (2025-544-CC)

WoodGreen Community Services; Toronto; On-site; CAD 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Toronto is seeking a Crisis Outreach Worker for a program targeting seniors with mental health issues. The ideal candidate will have a Master's of Social Work or comparable qualification and experience in crisis intervention. Responsibilities include assessing client needs, implementing service plans, and collaborating with health services. This role is primarily onsite, with a salary of $72,298.50, and may require weekend shifts.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of extensive crisis experience or 5+ years supporting seniors.
• Ability to work from a client-centered approach.
• Knowledge of issues affecting older adults.

Responsibilities

• Participate in crisis shifts visiting clients in their homes.
• Assess client needs and develop service plans.
• Liaise with health services for client follow-up.

Skills

Crisis support/intervention

Supportive counseling skills

Assessment skills

Interpersonal skills

Self-directed and independent

Education

Masters of Social Work or postgraduate degree in a relevant field

Registration with Ontario College of Social Workers

Tools

Case management software (Pirouette)

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Work Hours: 37.5 hours/week Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm with up to 3 weekend/holiday shifts per month

Work Setting: Onsite – Limited opportunities to work remotely

Salary: $72,298.50

Application Deadline: January 04, 2026 by 11:59 pm

Who We Are

WoodGreen is a team of diverse and innovative change makers working together to make a difference in our communities. A United Way Anchor Agency with a proven track record and an entrepreneurial mindset, we continuously seek to develop solutions to critical social needs while striving to become a Centre for Equity. Visit www.woodgreen.org to learn more about who we are and to review our Equity Statement. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce, representative of the communities we serve. We encourage, and are pleased to consider, applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons/persons of colour, women/women identifying, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who contribute towards promoting innovative ideas and solutions.

Program Overview – Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors, Community Care

This position works on behalf of WoodGreen in an inter‑agency, multi‑disciplinary Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors with mental health and substance misuse issues. This service is offered through a partnership between Woodgreen, St. Michaels Homes, South Riverdale Community Health Centre, Reconnect Community Health Services and LOFT Community Services. The service is a 7 day a week mobile crisis intervention and outreach service focusing on individuals 65 years of age and older with mental health and/or substance use issues, with some exceptions for individuals 55–64 years of age, including those who are homeless. The service area is the City of Toronto. The population of focus for this service is frail, marginalised, at‑risk seniors who may be homeless or vulnerably housed, living in poverty, and/or new immigrants. This position reports to WoodGreen’s Crisis Supervisor and is expected to carry out services in accordance with WoodGreen’s policies and procedures, COSS’ mandate and procedures, Ministry of Health, and health‑related authorities and all relevant legislation.

What You Will Do

• Participate in crisis shifts; visit clients in their homes or community locations with a partner.
• Assess client needs, develop and implement service plans with short and long‑term objectives.
• Assist clients to access acute care and emergency services when appropriate, and help facilitate client discharges from local emergency departments.
• Monitor clients, identifying additional needs, and reactivating supports when warranted.
• Liaise with convalescent care, transitional care, acute care, emergency departments, rehabilitation centres, and complex continuing care to ensure that clients who have been hospitalised have appropriate follow‑up services.
• Refer clients and caregivers to a range of community resources, including meals, drop‑in centres, social recreational programmes, clothing exchanges, etc.
• Carry out service documentation requirements in a timely and professional manner.
• Work with other team members and partner agencies to develop and implement strategies which reduce client/caregiver dependence on acute care and emergency departments.
• Gather statistical and narrative information required for the programme and the organisation.
• Support team members and students and participate in team meetings.
• Ensure that anti‑oppression, community development, and harm reduction principles are achieved in the programme.
• Participate in regular supervisory sessions and annual performance appraisals with the programme manager.
• Participate in ongoing training and education when appropriate.
• Perform other related duties as required.

What You Bring to the Team

• Masters of Social Work or postgraduate degree in a relevant field (MSW or post‑graduate degree) with 2+ years of extensive crisis/complex seniors experience, or BSW with 5+ years of extensive crisis/complex/seniors’ experience.
• Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or another relevant regulatory body in Ontario (eg CPRO or COTO).
• Related experience in crisis support and demonstrated experience working with complex seniors.

What You Set You Apart

• Experience in crisis support/​intervention.
• Demonstrated experience supporting seniors with mental health and substance use issues from a recovery and harm reduction approach.
• Proven ability in case management and supportive counselling skills.
• Strong assessment skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated information and referral skills and ability to effectively link client to supportive services.
• Self‑directed and independent, but experienced in working effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, which includes internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to minimise barriers through service delivery for low‑income individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues.
• Ability to work from a client‑centred approach.
• Knowledge of issues affecting older adults and geriatric populations.
• Knowledge of the health sector and its related services.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to follow policies, procedures, and adhere to legislation.
• Understanding of clinical practices and care models.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, flexibility, and contribute to the effective functioning of a multi‑disciplinary inter‑agency crisis service focused on older adults.
• Applied computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Internet).
• Ability to use case management software is an asset (Pirouette).
• Ability to communicate in another language is an asset.
• Ability to work weekends, statutory holidays as required.

WoodGreen is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free selection process and work environment. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise our People & Culture representatives at [e-mail] of the accommodation measures required. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

This public job posting uses AI‑powered tools to screen, assess, or select applicants.