S.T.O.R.M. Worker

SUMMARY:

Minwaashin Lodge - Indigenous Women’s Support Centre is a non-profit charitable agency serving First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women, youth, and children. We are a multi-service agency committed to the healing and wellness of our community, through our programs and services at Minwaashin Lodge and our shelter, Oshki Kizis Lodge. We provide culturally specific programming for children, youth, women, and families.

With the use of a van, the primary responsibility of the STORM position is to provide street-level day or evening support to First Nation, Inuit, & Métis women who are involved in or at risk of becoming involved in the sex trade or trafficked, and who are at risk of becoming or who may be homeless. This is a physically demanding position requiring the ability to easily maneuver in and out of the van and lift a minimum of 12 kilograms.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Reporting directly to the Director of Shelter Operations, the STORM worker is part of a 2-person mobile outreach team.
• Provide information, assistance and advocacy to First Nation, Inuit, & Métis women who are homeless or street involved.
• Assist First Nation, Inuit, & Métis in times of crisis and ensure they have access to appropriate community support.
• Referral to all community resources both Indigenous and mainstream including shelter services, food banks, soup kitchens and drop-in centers.
• Referral to services that provide front-line and emergency medical treatment, housing, and legal services.
• Work in cooperation with existing community outreach programs to ensure effective service delivery.
• Attend drop-in centers, food banks and other community services to connect with women or to make women aware of the services that are available to them.
• Provide resources to women.
• Maintain a confidential log of contacts and services provided.
• Attend staff, community and other meetings as requested by the Director of Shelter Operations
• Prepare resource information and materials for distribution to clients.
• Replenish resources required in the van.
• Attend all full staff meetings and team meetings
• Participate in Minwaashin Lodge special events such as the annual women’s gathering
• Maintain monthly and quarterly statistics of clients and provide written reports to your supervisor
• Ensure the van is kept clean and does not contain garbage of any kind
• Must be able to work as part of a team, contributing equally to all aspects of the position
• Must be physically able to lift supplies that vary in size and weight minimum of 12 Kilograms
• Must be physically able to maneuver in and out of the van easily to provide clients with the necessary assistance and supplies

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience, with at least 2 years’ experience working with an urban Indigenous community.
• Knowledge of the Indigenous and non-Indigenous service system in the Ottawa region
• Knowledge of programs and support offered throughout the Ottawa region.
• Excellent knowledge of the intergenerational impacts of colonization, assimilation, and the residential school system
• A client-centered, comprehensive analysis and understanding of the sex trade, homelessness and substance use amongst First Nations, Inuit & Métis women.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• First Nations, Inuit, Mètis or non-status will be given preference. (relying on Section 24(1)(a) of the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• Current Criminal Records Check
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification
• Driver’s License with no minor or major convictions or at-fault accidents for three years
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Some weekend work required.

TO APPLY:

Send a cover letter, resume and 3 job related references to Castille Troy, Manager, Human Resources, Minwaashin Lodge, 2323 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa, Ontario K1G 4J8 or email to: ctroy@minlodge.com.

We thank all those who apply. However, only those invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.