Women's Advocate (Part-Time, Weekend)

North York Women's Shelter; Toronto; On-site; CAD 44,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

OPSEU Bargaining Unit

Job summary

North York Women’s Shelter is seeking a Women’s Advocate for weekend, part-time support in Toronto. The role involves intake assessments, safety planning, information, referrals, and advocacy to clients, with a focus on trauma-informed care and a non-violent environment.

It requires weekend shifts (Fri–Sun) and collaboration with a Programs & Services supervisor. Responsibilities include risk assessments, documentation, crisis intervention, and supporting residents.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of GBV shelter experience or similar.
• Trauma-informed care experience or training.
• Knowledge of Violence Against Women Emergency Shelter Standards.
• PVSC willingness and CPR/First Aid training to be obtained.
• Spanish language fluency required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a trauma-informed, respectful, and inclusive environment for clients and staff.
• Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in all service delivery.
• Provide day-to-day support, information, referrals, and advocacy for clients.
• Conduct initial risk assessments and safety planning as needed.
• Complete intake documentation and client accommodations per policies.
• Collaborate with the team and participate in meetings and consultations.
• Support crisis intervention and de-escalation when required.
• Manage challenging situations with confidentiality and care.
• Facilitate weekly resident meetings and support groups as assigned.
• Document shift notes and update WISH database.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Harm reduction

Crisis intervention

Non-violent communication

Multicultural communication

Spanish fluency

Excellent communication

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Work or related field

Vulnerable Sector Check willingness

CPR Level C & First Aid training

Job description

Job Title:

Women's Advocate (Part-Time, Weekend)

Reports To:

Supervisor, Programs & Services

Category:

Part-Time

Hours & Schedule:

25.5 hours/week, Weekend (Fri-Sun)

Rotating weekly between morning shifts (7AM- 3:30PM) and evening shifts (3PM-11:30PM)

Compensation:

$33.75/ hour

OPSEU Bargaining Unit:

Yes

Applications Due:

October 30, 2026, by 5PM

About the role:

TheWomen's Advocate (Part-Time) plays a central role throughout the healing journey for our clients starting with conducting risk assessments and safety planning in the intake process, through to support for day-to-day client needs, information, referrals, and advocacy. This role also helps foster and maintain a trauma-informed and non-violent environment within the Shelter by upholding NYWS policies and procedures.

This role provides weekend support (Friday-Sunday), rotating weekly between morning (7AM-3:30PM) and evening (3PM-11:30PM) shifts.

What you will be doing:

• Maintain a trauma-informed, respectful, and inclusive environment for clients, colleagues, volunteers and other members of the NYWS internal and external community, while adhering to NYWS policies and procedures.
• Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion by considering diverse cultures, physical abilities, and lived experiences of clients in all aspects of service delivery such as intake, day-to-day interactions, programming, referrals to external resources, and transition from the Shelter.
• Provide day-to-day support, information, referrals, and advocacy for clients throughout all stages of the healing journey at NYWS, proactively upholding our principles of trauma-informed practice.
• Conduct initial risk assessments and safety planning over the phone or in-person to determine service needs to either bring the client into the Shelter or make referrals as needed.
• Conduct the intake process i.e., completing documentation, arranging client's personal accommodations, and other duties as required in accordance with Shelter policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with team members and participate in meetings or email consultation to discuss, plan and implement effective support for clients.
• Support with crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Recognize and manage challenging situations in a trauma-informed manner as per NYWS policy, particularly involving justice systems (e.g., CAS, Police, etc.).
• Facilitate and document weekly resident meetings, support groups, and other relevant supports as assigned.
• Complete documentation and reporting during each shift, including shift change and documentation on the WISH database.
• Conduct full-Shelter walkthroughs 3 times per shift, ensuring maintenance and upkeep of the Shelter through disposal of expired food items, taking out garbage, and putting out kitchen and other supplies, as well as other tasks as needed to provide a positive client experience.
• Ensure pet supplies. welcome bags, , linens and hygiene items are adequately stocked.
• Assist with onboarding new staff and volunteers at NYWS.
• Support NYWS in remaining current and active in harm reduction policy development and community advocacy.
• Engage with clients and their children, as well as colleagues and other NYWS stakeholders with respect, compassion and empathy while maintaining confidentiality.
• Attend and participate in additional team building, training, in-services, and community outreach projects as required.
• Perform related duties as assigned by Manager of Programs and Services or their designate.

Who you are:

Your Education & Experience

• You have completed post-secondary education in a related field such as Social Work, Gender and Women Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Social Justice, and Assaulted Women's Program, or the equivalent education or experience.
• You have 1-3 years of experience working in a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Shelter or similar environment.
• You have experience and/or training in trauma-informed care, mental health, harm reduction, and substance use management.
• You have knowledge of Violence Against Women Emergency Shelter Standards.
• You have or will be willing to obtain a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) with future checks.
• You have or are willing to obtain CPR Level C and First Aid training.

Your Skills and Competencies

• You have basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools e.g., Outlook and Word and can learn other tools as required for reporting and documentation.
• You are fluent in Spanish (spoken and written).
• You are well-organized, have strong work ethic, problem solving and critical thinking skills, and take ownership for your tasks.
• You have excellent professional and empathetic communication skills and can work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• You can work effectively independently as well as part of a team.
• You are comfortable working under pressure and in crisis situations while protecting confidentiality.
• You are experienced in crisis support and mediating conflict using non-violent communication strategies.
• You are comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment.