Overnight Community Shelter Support Worker, Line 5

YWCA Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 56,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Overnight Community Shelter Support Worker to join their team in Toronto. This role is vital in providing meaningful support to individuals facing trauma and homelessness within a collaborative environment. You will engage with residents to develop essential life skills, conduct crisis counselling, and implement workshops that promote mental health. With a commitment to anti-oppression and inclusivity, this position offers a chance to make a significant impact in the community. If you are passionate about social justice and have the skills to support vulnerable populations, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical Coverage

Vision and Dental Coverage

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability Benefit

Pension Plan

20 Vacation Days

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Child Care Benefits

Financial Assistance for Professional Development

Qualifications

• 3-5 years experience in direct service settings for marginalized groups.
• Completion of Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement support strategies for shelter residents.
• Provide assessment and case management focusing on harm reduction.

Skills

Crisis Counselling

Case Management

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Trauma-Informed Care

Culturally Sensitive Services

Education

Undergraduate Degree (e.g. BSW)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Email

Internet

Job description

Overnight Community Shelter Support Worker, Line 5

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Work Hours: 35 hours per week (Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11:30 pm to 7:30 am)
Salary: $55,939 (L7), plus comprehensive benefits
Location: 80 Woodlawn Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1C1
Application Internal Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025
Application External Deadline: Tuesday, February 18, 2025

JOIN OUR TEAM
YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.

The Community Shelter Support Worker will work within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services to shelter residents and tenants within a theoretical feminist framework that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma and oppression. This position will act as a resource to staff and participants and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling, case management and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops. This position shares in the responsibility of the overall health and safety of the building.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO - 1st STOP WOODLAWN

This program provides up to 62 shelter beds for youth (16-24yrs) and adult (25 and older) women, trans and non-binary participants. This program operates as part of a congregate living site which includes 72 units of permanent housing. Community Shelter Support Workers will work a fixed schedule that may include week day and/or weekend work and will be responsible for case planning of all shelter residents. This shelter is funded by the City of Toronto and adheres to Toronto Shelter Standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of gender-based violence and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies;
• Works with participants individually and/or in groups to develop and improve social and living skills by assisting them to set goals, follow through on plans, recognize options and make positive choices;
• Provides assessment and case management support services to residents that focus on harm reduction, immigration, legal, health and wellness, education and training;
• Establishes a plan with residents that will facilitate a safe and effective path to independence;
• Develops, implements and evaluates workshops and groups that address participants’ mental health issues and experience of trauma using interactive techniques (i.e. expressive art techniques) and collaborates with other YWCA programs in this area;
• Engages with the staff team in reflective practice, to ensure the development and implementation of quality programs and services;
• Ensures that the Health and Safety Guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto including taking corrective action when responding to potential safety hazards;
• Any other duties as required.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW). An analytical framework that identifies clients' relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework, (Cases for Equivalency will be considered).
• 3 to 5 years’ experience working in a diverse, direct service setting for participants that range from youth to seniors who have experienced impacts of poverty, homelessness/under-housing, violence/trauma, mental health/substance use or concurrent disorders and other sources of marginalization or oppression.
• Completion of Toronto Hostel’s Training Certificate (T.H.T.C.) or equivalent.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of anti-oppression, trauma informed, harm reduction and feminist frameworks.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources and supports.
• In-depth knowledge of the dynamics of gender-based violence and trauma within an anti-oppression framework.
• Working knowledge and application of the intersections of systemic oppression (anti-black racism, anti-indigenous racism).
• Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, e-mail and the Internet.
• Completion of Hostel Services Shelter Standards is an asset.
• Working knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act, Mental Health Act, Housing Services Act, and Ontario Human Rights Code is an asset.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation regarding immigration and refugee policy and law is an asset.
• A certificate in trauma counselling is an asset.
• Knowledge of a second language is an asset.

What we offer:

• Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
• Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
• Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
• Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development.

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable.

Posting date: February 5, 2025

YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing. We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.

Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health.

Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations. YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.