Drop-in Worker (Contract)

Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre; Toronto; On-site; CAD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre in Toronto, Ontario is seeking a Drop-In Program Worker to support the weekly drop-in program and PARC members, with a focus on safety and a welcoming space.

You will carry out direct member support, crisis interventions, and help run small group activities, with a schedule Saturday to Wednesday from 8:00am to 6:00pm, under agency guidelines including the Mental Health Act. Prior community mental health experience is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years direct experience in a community mental health or community development setting with marginalized people, socially isolated adults, psychiatric survivors and homeless/under-housed people or combination of experience.
• Post-secondary education in a related field or specialized training in Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation, Individual and Family Counseling, Community Economic Development, Trauma-informed counselling.
• Sound knowledge of the issues presented by psychiatric survivors & marginalized people who have been homeless or under-housed and pertinent legislation.
• Experience navigating systemic barriers to resources and providing personal support for high need/high-risk populations.
• Excellent communication, organizational, written, and computer skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-stress environment with a diverse team.
• Experience with supporting and overseeing work of member workers, students and volunteers.
• Experience with housing eviction prevention, legal, food security and income security advocacy.
• Experience with advocacy or community organizing.

Responsibilities

• Carry out direct/personal member support and crisis interventions during drop-in operations.
• Respond to member concerns and run small group activities and recreational programs.
• Provide support and friendly contact for all PARC members and uphold safety and a healthy space.

Job description

Status:Full-Time Contract (5–6-month contract) Sat to Wed

Salary:$28.06 - $32.14

Summary

The Drop-In Program Worker works with the drop-in team to ensure the smooth operation of the Drop-In program and its related services to PARC members (a member is defined as any or all of the following: psychiatric survivor, marginalized, homeless/under-housed or socially isolated person).

Responsibilities:

Drop-In Program Worker carries out a variety of duties during drop-in operations direct/personal member support, crisis interventions, responding to member concerns and making recommendations for further support activity and running small group activities and recreational programs as assigned. Drop-In Program Worker carries out various assigned tasks supporting different aspects of the weekend or weekday drop-in program on a shift by shift basis.

Drop-In Program Worker provides support and friendly contact for all members using the centre. The Drop-In Program Worker upholds safety and the preservation of a healthy space and access to PARC for all members.

Drop-In Program Worker will assist in the development of community resources,use creative strategies to address systemic issues, and contribute to public education and awareness.

The practice of the Drop-In Program Worker is guided by the agency’s standards (policies & procedures) and relevant legislation, including the Mental Health Act and professional standards and ethics.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years direct experience in a community mental health or community development setting with marginalized people, socially isolated adults, psychiatric survivors and homeless/under-housed people or combination of experience;
• Post-secondary education in a related field or specialized training in Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Vocational Rehabilitation, Individual and Family Counseling, Community Economic Development, Trauma-informed counselling. Completion of post-secondary education in a related field or postgraduate specializing in Individual and Family Counselling, Social Recreation, Community Development, Crisis Prevention and Intervention.
• Sound knowledge of the issues presented by psychiatric survivors & marginalized people who have been homeless or under-housed and pertinent legislation. Broad experience with individual, family, and systems advocacy. Counselling, crisis prevention and intervention experience. The ability to demonstrate sound judgment;
• A justice-based analysis of social service provision, experience in navigating systemic barriers to resources and experience providing personal support for high need /high-risk populations, gained either through life experience, front-line work, social work education or some combination of the above;
• Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, written skills, and computer skills;
• Possess the ability to work effectively in a high-stress environment with a diverse team;
• Experience with supporting and overseeing the work of member workers, students and volunteers;
• Experience with system navigation about our members experience including housing-especially eviction prevention, legal, food security, diversity/inclusion and income security;
• Experience with advocacy or community organizing.

Hours of Work:This Drop-In Program Worker work schedule is Saturday to Wednesday between the hours of 8:00am – 6:00pm.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

PARC is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from people who are reflective of the diverse communities we serve. We strongly encourage applicants with lived experiences, from Aboriginal communities, people of all races, colours, ethnic origins, religions, disabilities, and sexual orientations to apply. We recognize that equitable access to employment is an agent in social change.

If you have any requirements for accommodation due to disability, please advise Human Resources during the recruitment and selection process. We will work with you to best meet your needs as per resources available to us