Are you early in your social work career and looking for more experience in the violence against women (VAW) sector to expand your portfolio? Are you passionate about diverse, intersectional feminism?
Interval House of Hamilton (IHOH) is committed to delivering feminist (diverse intersectional) - based compassionate and innovative supports, counselling and therapeutic/activity-based group programing for women and their children who we support through our various programming. Our Victoria and Friends shelter has 11 funded rooms and the capacity to house up to 35 residents on any given day. We offer crisis intervention counselling, emergency shelter, a transitional housing program, and multiple outreach programs for our residents. We are looking for talented, resilient, team-oriented, and dedicated staff to fill positions at our shelter.
Note: IHOH is a SEIU unionized workplace and this role would be covered under the current collective agreement.
POSITION DETAILS:
The part-time relief frontline Worker is perfect for candidates with flexible availability to work a variety of shifts. Relief staff are vital to our organization as they provide casual, on call coverage for the shelter, giving flexibility to the front-line team so that they may prioritize their health and wellbeing knowing there is adequate coverage for residents when planned or unplanned absences occur.
All frontline team encourage a caring, healthy, safe and positive residential setting for women in the shelter. Staff promote weekly support groups and activities to help women through this difficult time in their lives and provide productive outlets for them to promote personal growth and healing. This work may involve preventing, managing and defusing any behavioral issues that arise within the shelter and helping residents manage the personal and emotional issues that may contribute to their actions.
As part of maintaining a healthy and safe environment, .
The ideal candidate would be confident in their skills regarding the stages of change, motivational interviewing, case planning support for the safety of residents, trauma informed modalities used in counseling practices, and how to navigate the resources available in the VAW shelter system through community partnerships and other avenues. Due to the nature of the work environment, it is imperative that the candidate have excellent communication skills, a working knowledge of networking, and the ability to work at various locations within the community.
Frontline relief workers provide support to, and contribute to, the case management goals, safety planning, and strategies for women and their children seeking a safe haven at our shelter.
Major responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Provision of case management and planning for women who are fleeing abuse and residing in the shelter;
- Asses and plan for women’s personal safety, coping (harm reduction when necessary), counselling, and legal support needs/requirements;
- Assuming responsibility for client’s caseloads, including the administrative functions associated with this work;
- Responding to crisis calls;
- Providing short-term, strength-based counseling; and
- Promoting/implementing a safe, healthy, clean, secure and comfortable shelter environment for residents.
Key Activities:
- Adhere to IHOH values, policies, procedures, and work practices.
- Provide support and services to women/children accessing emergency shelter.
- Assist women with safety planning and respond to crisis calls, emails, and walk-ins.
- Provide general and VAW-specific counseling and groups to women, with a focus on safety.
- Use risk assessment tools to assess risk of harm, lethality, and safety plan accordingly.
- Case management and planning including crisis prevention/intervention, safety planning, housing, supportive counseling, parenting support, educational upgrading, job training, income support, health, and wellness services.
- Support the physical, emotional, and safety needs of children to ensure that they are receiving the necessary intervention, protection, and support they require.
- Develop and coordinate good working relationships with referral agencies and other outside professionals, specifically including regional housing authorities, women’s and children’s counseling services, educational programs, job training programs, income support worker and health and welfare services.
- Working knowledge of various housing options including non-profit, private, co-op and housing benefit programs.
- Refer, advocate and network within the various systems.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, community meeting, committees, and related activities.
- Coordinate and perform various operational and administrative responsibilities such as preparation of comprehensive statistical reports, data collection and providing research to support special projects including the preparation of the program reports as required by funders.
- Assist with the preparation of meals, kitchen duties, housekeeping, and general operational tasks.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Hours of Work:
Since employee presence is required in the shelter 24/7 the successful candidate could be scheduled at any time of day including overnights, weekends, and holidays. It is important that you understand that your schedule will be unpredictable, however each month you will be guaranteed a minimum of 1 to 2 shifts- that are 8 hours each- per schedule, under the terms provided upon employment. Note that in August 2024, our current Part-Time Relief employees worked an average of 9 shifts per month.
During the first month of employment the successful candidate will be required to have increased availability to accommodate the onboarding and training requirements of the position. Candidates moving to the interview phase of the recruitment process will be required to complete an Availability Form to confirm the post-training/ onboarding availability to help further assess their fit for the role.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Education:
Undergraduate degree in Social Work, or related discipline, from a recognized University/College. Bachelor Degrees are preferred.
Experience:
- 2+ years of experience working in Women’s Services, with preference given to experience with residential settings. Women’s service experience includes but is not limited to group facilitation, program planning, and working with high risk women.
- 2+ years of experience working with women who have experienced abuse/violence; preferably work experience in shelter/community counseling/criminal or victim services work environment. Experience with case management and record keeping. Experience with community shareholder engagement and presentation/group facilitation.
- Experience working with high-risk women and working with modalities including Stages of Change, motivational interviewing, and practice experience using an intersectional feminist and trauma informed lens related to gender-based violence is an asset. Experience with group development and facilitation. Stats collection and analysis to meet performance targets (some noted in position summary).
Other:
- Valid First Aid/CPR/AED Level C certification.
- Valid ASIST Certification.
- Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Clearance.
- Valid Ontario driver’s license and own/have access to a reliable vehicle, as well as the appropriate corresponding insurance (minimum $2M liability coverage), and/or able to meet all travel requirements of the position.
- Able to meet COVID-19 vaccination policy.
- IHOH will provide training in WHMIS, AODA, Safe Food Handling, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training.
- Valid PMAB/CPI/UMAB Certification an asset.
- Danger Assessment Training an asset.
- Fluency in a second language is an asset.
Preferred Qualifications/Experience:
- Education/training in harm reduction strategies and practices.
- Member of the College of Social Work
- Familiarity with “Stages of Change model” is considered an asset.
- Bi-lingual or a second language is also considered an asset.
SKILLS AND COMPENTENCIES REQUIRED
- Action oriented, resilient, and results driven
- Creative problem solver
- Approachable, person-centered, interpersonal savvy
- Trustworthy, demonstrated reliability and high integrity
- Strong ethics and values
- Practices diversity and inclusion
- Client focused and compassionate
- Exceptional listener
- Working knowledge of harm reduction strategies
- Sound knowledge of legislation affecting abused women and their children
- Confident in crisis management/conflict resolution
- Proficient in managing competing demands
- Superb at making quality decisions
- Knowledge of inter-sectional feminist-based counselling
- Excellent written and verbal skills,
- Technical/computer savvy
Working Environment/Hazards
A residential women’s shelter environment is fast paced, unpredictable, continuously changing, and involves crisis management communal work. Employees will work with diverse groups of women and children in traumatic emotional states. You must be willing to assist clients with personal care items, communal living needs, and cleaning as required. This role provides conflict management, crisis counselling and advocates for women with community and justice services.
Front-line relief staff are expected to do a reasonable amount of administrative work in the office due to documentation required to adequately provide services to residents and therefore some sitting is required. Staff must also have mobility levels sufficient enough to maintain a presence on the floor to assist residents with their reasonable daily needs.
IHOH will be a pet-friendly shelter in early 2025 to the women and children we serve. Applicants should be aware that there will be companion animals on site, in shelter, with their owners. Pets are the responsibility of their owners, however, staff are responsible for assisting residents in understanding and following pet-related expectations while in shelter, to help make the animal’s stay as successful as possible.
Disclaimers:
Due to the changing nature of work and work to be done, other responsibilities may be assigned, and qualifications may be altered. This position description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover and contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required by the incumbent.
IHOH is an equal opportunity employer so please notify us of any workplace accommodations that may be required at the time of interview. If selected for an interview, please also inform us of any accessibility requirements you may required.
IHOH is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. In extension, we believe that a diverse team working in an inclusive environment will make more sound, innovative decisions, better serving the organization and in turn, the population we serve.
Job Types: Part-time, Casual
Pay: From $26.69 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- On-site parking
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Holidays
- Morning shift
- Night shift
- Weekends as needed
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Vulnerable Sector Police Clearance (preferred)
Work Location: In person
