YWCA Toronto - Relief Front Desk Support Worker

Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses; Ontario; On-site; CAD 1,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Toronto is seeking a Relief Front Desk Support Worker to provide a supportive reception service within its Elm Centre. The role requires strong communication skills, ability to handle conflict, and a commitment to anti-discrimination practices while supporting diverse communities facing challenges. The position offers an opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of women and gender diverse individuals in a collaborative environment focused on trauma-informed care.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of relevant experience in supportive housing.
• Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Greets and directs tenants, visitors, and contractors.
• Handles client complaints with tact and diplomacy.
• Monitors activities through video surveillance.

Skills

Communication

Conflict resolution

Crisis response

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant field

Toronto Hostel Training Centre’s certificate

Tools

Security monitoring equipment

Computer

Phone system

Job description

YWCA Toronto - Relief Front Desk Support Worker

Posted on Jun 06, 2025

YWCA Toronto

Relief Front Desk Support Worker

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.

Internal and External Job Posting

Relief Front Desk Support Worker (5 Positions Available)

JOB ID: ELM1200

Employment Type: Relief

Work Hours: Varied as needed

Salary: $29.00 per hour (L5)

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 Relief Front Desk Support Worker is responsible for a welcoming and supportive reception service and works within a collaborative team to create a meaningful and relevant environment for tenants and guests within a feminist framework that includes a skilled response to and knowledge of the dynamics and effects of trauma, mental health and oppression.

ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – YWCA ELM CENTRE

YWCA Elm Centre includes 300 units of permanent housing for three different resident groups: 165 units of affordable rental units for women and gender diverse people, 50 units for women and gender diverse people, women-led families and gender diverse-led families of Indigenous descent (including 10 women-led and gender diverse-led families fleeing violence) and 85 units for women and gender diverse people who are experiencing significant mental health challenges or concurrent mental health/addictions disorders. The program will provide services to the entire residential community, with a dual focus on community building and individualized supports.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greets and directs tenants, visitors, contractors and suppliers in the Elm housing program;
• Receives and redirects calls from external and tenants to the appropriate staff (superintendent and property services, security, on-call, case managers, manager, community engagement staff, 911) and workers regarding repairs, and security/safety issues;
• Ensures guests and delivery people entering and leaving the building sign in and out;
• Handles client complaints and issues with tact and diplomacy, de-escalating the potential for conflict;
• Reads and responds to entries in the security logs, referring issues to appropriate YWCA staff;
• Applies knowledge of the issue of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to respond effectively to tenant request for support;
• Schedules tenant booking of elevators for move ins, move outs and deliveries (furniture);
• Monitors activities in and around the building via video surveillance;
• Reports all disturbances, vandalism or other emergencies to the supervisor, filling out an incident report as required;
• Performs other duties, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion of an undergraduate university degree in a relevant field (e.g. Social Work) (Cases for Equivalence will be considered) ;
• Ability to use equipment relevant to the position i.e., computer, phone system, security monitoring;
• 1 to 3 years directly related experience within supportive housing;
• Completion of the Toronto Hostel Training Centre’s certificate an asset;
• Knowledge of the Residential Tenancies Act;
• Exceptional verbal and good written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge and experience in de-escalating conflict;
• Knowledge and experience in responding to crisis situations and de-escalating conflict;
• Ability to interact in a respectful and professional manner with a diverse community of women, their families and guests within a supportive housing environment;
• Experience working with diverse individuals and groups (e.g. cultural diversity, gender, abilities, religion, race, sexual orientation, etc.);
• Demonstrates knowledge of and experience working with women living with experiences of precarious housing, poverty, violence/trauma, and mental health/concurrent addictions issues;
• Knowledge and experience working from an anti-oppression framework and trauma informed practices;
• Knowledge of harm reduction framework;
• Ability to think independently, possess good judgment, demonstrate proven problem-solving skills and effective decision-making skills;
• Ability to work well under pressure, organized and detail oriented;
• Knowledge and ability to communicate in a second language an asset;
• Experience working in a residential setting and security operating systems an asset;
• Completion of WHMIS training an asset.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

https://ywcatoronto.applytojob.com/apply/anq8DrM3B1/Relief-Front-Desk-Support-Worker ELM1200?source=Diversity+List

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. These positions are not within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable.

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