Mental Health and Justice Worker

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL

Job Title: Mental Health and Justice Worker

Position Type: Bargaining Unit, Permanent, Full-Time

Number of Positions: 1

Rate: $29.40 per hour

Vacation: 4 weeks to start

Benefits: Group benefits with Life Insurance, AD&D, Extended Health and Dental Care with premiums 100% paid by the employer, LTD with premiums 100% paid by employees; paid sick leave and float day RRSP: RRSP with 6.5% employer contribution and 4% employee contribution after successful completion of probation

Hours: 37.5 hours weekly, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Supervisor: Senior Manager, Access Services

Posting Date: October 2, 2025

Application Deadline: October 16, 2025

Location: 145 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, M5A 1S1

Why Fred Victor? For 130 years, Fred Victor has been a leader in helping people rebuild their lives in Toronto. Our mission is to improve the health, income and housing stability of people experiencing poverty and homelessness. We are committed to ending homelessness, one person at a time. 145 Queen Street includes a community hub where people gather and find a range of services geared to their needs including: housing, healthy meals, drop-in programs, mental health and justice support, harm reduction supports and health services. It is a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can access resources, become engaged, advocate for their own community, and build their lives. 145 Queen Street relies on inter-program collaboration to support the community around accessing individualized support.

The Mental Health & Justice Worker is responsible for providing community based intensive case management support services for people who are living with a serious mental illness and who have current involvement or are at risk of involvement with the Criminal Justice system. The services are provided through one-to-one supports, coordinated care and client-centered approach in partnership with housing, health service providers, other identified supports and clients themselves. The main goal is to support individuals with mental illness in the community so they can live successfully and reduce or prevent involvement with the Criminal Justice system. Through the use of community development principles and approaches, this position also supports the operation and delivery of social recreational programs at the 145 Queen Site as part of the Access Services Team.

Does this sound like work you want to be a part of? We offer a caring and collaborative environment, an opportunity to join a diverse team of caring professionals and a chance to make a difference. With over 75 programs and services and more than 25 sites, there are lots of opportunities to grow your career with us. Many members of the management team started in relief and front-line roles.

What You Will Do:

• Provide intake, assessment, and case management services, utilizing a client-centered, strength-based, harm reduction approach to clients who meet the mandate of the Mental Health and Justice Program.
• Assist clients in gaining the skills, resources, and information to make choices about their situation to reduce the risk of involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Develop professional, respectful working relationships with clients.
• Advocate for the rights of clients to ensure that they receive services, supports and entitlements.
• Work in collaboration with Drop-In staff to ensure coordinated and effective service delivery for individuals who meet the mandate of the Mental Health & Justice program.
• Coach or assist a client in the development/maintenance of abilities relating to activities of daily living, self-care, crisis management strategies, symptom management, maintaining a support network, and skills teaching such as budgeting, grocery shopping and other life skills.
• Draft clear coordinated care plans (CCPs) for each client that advance client’s immediate needs and mid-term goals. Reassess and adjust those plans periodically throughout the service.
• Support clients in transition to greater independent living and community participation through skill development.
• Discuss on ongoing basis with client how crises will be managed and help to create a safety/crisis plan.
• Develop a transition plan with the client and their supports and facilitate a clear understanding of the reasons for discharge from the service and re-admission process.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other providers and resources as well as other relevant organizations.
• Maintain program and agency documentation as per Fred Victor policies including CCP and case notes.
• Maintain confidentiality as per “Personal Health Information Protection Act” and Fred Victor policy.
• Work with the Senior Manager to utilize clinical supervision appropriately.
• Actively participate in staff meetings.
• Participate in agency and other meetings and initiatives as required.
• Promote the values, vision, and mission of Fred Victor.
• Other duties as directed by your supervisor.

What You Bring to the Team:

• A degree/diploma in Social Work, Social Services, Health or related field or equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in community settings with individuals who experience mental health and addictions challenges.
• Experience working within the Criminal Justice system.
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge and understanding of working within a harm reduction framework.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the impact determinants of health have on the individual, the family, the community, and the health care system.
• Familiarity with Case Management Standards and practice is essential.
• Relevant lived experience will be considered an asset.
• Excellent supportive counselling skills and demonstrated ability to clinically assess the client using clinical tools, formulating plans and following up with clear actions.
• Demonstrated experience working from a trauma informed client-centred approach in case management.
• Experience working successfully in interdisciplinary team or formalized partnerships.
• Knowledge and understanding of a Mental Health Recovery Model.
• Strong understanding, analysis and commitment to social justice issues, equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression practice.
• Able to effectively work independently and within a team.
• Very strong interpersonal negotiating and mediating skills necessary for prevention, intervention and resolution. Creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and set limits with clients.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience in Pirouette is an asset.

What sets you apart:

• Passion for working to provide services that are client centered, harm reduction and restorative justice focused.
• Commitment to access to justice, community development and programming that is reflexive to the needs and interests of the community.
• Dedication to advocacy and prioritizing people who may be experiencing varying degrees of mental health and/or who use drugs as experts of their own lives.

Working Conditions:

• There is a likelihood of exposure to unpredictable behaviour, unpleasant odors, bodily fluids and pests including bedbugs, mice and cockroaches.
• This is stressful and emotionally challenging work that deals with vicarious trauma, grief and compassion fatigue on a regular basis.
• Required to travel to various locations to meet with clients and attend court, trainings and meetings.
• Travel will be by public transportation, unless approved to use personal vehicle.

Compensation and Benefits

• For the Mental Health and Justice Worker, Fred Victor offers an hourly rate of $29.40.
• 4 weeks of vacation to start + 1 float day.
• Generous paid sick leave allowance.
• A comprehensive Dental, Extended Health and LTD group benefits package includes individual and family coverage, including prescriptions, hospital accommodation, hearing care, paramedical practitioners and a wide variety of dental care. Additional insurance includes vision care and travel for emergency medical services.
• 6.5 % of your gross salary will be contributed to a group RRSP on your behalf after successful completion of probation; you will contribute 4% of your gross salary to the same RRSP.
• Access to employee and family assistance plan.

How You Can Apply

Send your resume and cover letter as one document telling us why you want to join the Fred Victor Team by October 16 at 5pm. Please send to Anne Carruthers, Senior Manager, Access Services by emailing to acarruthers@fredvictor.org and include “Mental Health and Justice Worker” in the subject line.

A Police Record Check is required by the final candidate prior to hiring.

Accessibility & Accommodation Fred Victor is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where employees feel valued and respected, and where every employee has the opportunity to realize their potential. As such, we welcome and encourage applicants who identify as racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons across the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender identities and have lived-experience. If you are a person with a disability and require accommodation and/or assistance during the application process, please contact us in advance. We strive to provide reasonable accommodations whenever requested. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality