Transitional Housing Support Worker

Title:

Transitional Housing Support Worker (0.8 FTE)

Reports to:

VAW Team Manager

Program or Department:

Violence Against Women

Salary Range

Pay Band 3

$54,149.00 to $55,232.00

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the VAW Manager and participating as part of the Violence Against Women team, the Transitional Housing Support Worker is responsible for supporting women who are trying to establish lives separate from their abusers. The THSW will assist women by helping them establish a network of supports, and to find and maintain housing.

HOURS OF WORK AND ACTUAL SALARY RANGE:

This is a permanent part-time position at 28 hours per week (4 days per week). Please note that the salary listed above reflects the full-time annual rate for this role. The pro-rated salary range for 28 hours per week is $43,319.20 to $44,185.60.

Employees in this position are eligible for benefits and pension participation following the standard waiting periods set by the employer and the insurance provider. This role is part of the CUPE Local 5530 bargaining unit.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Direct Service

• Provide crisis intervention, through telephone and personal contact with abused women; At times this will require meeting women in an office setting, in the community, or in their homes (when deemed safe);
• Accompany women to community appointments, as needed (at times, this may involve transporting women to appointments, if safe);
• Provide systems navigation including information, resources, and referral (i.e.: counselling, financial support, employment, legal aid, interpretation, etc…);
• Facilitate and empower women to develop action plans and to implement these plans;
• Provide support in the areas of finding and maintaining housing; (e.g. collecting and filing out all appropriate forms required by Housing Registry) and assist in avoiding eviction through contact with housing providers, support letters, and status applications;
• Assist women to develop safety plans for themselves and their children;
• Ensure that service is accessible to all women, by accessing communication and interpretive services as requested;

Advocacy

• Advocate for the needs of clients;
• Promote and build links within the diverse local community to ensure that Health Equity and Inclusion perspectives are incorporated into differential frontline responses;
• Advocate with third parties in specific cases (e.g., landlords, interactions with Children’s Aid Society, court appearances, enrolling children in school, etc…);

Community Education

• Act as a consultant to colleagues, agencies and the community regarding violence against women;
• Respond to community requests for information;
• Present to community groups regarding the issue of violence against women;

Coordination of Policy and Service

• Ensure consistent and accountable implementation of the WOCRC vision, mission, values, guiding beliefs, policies and procedures in the day-to-day operation of programs and services;
• Establish and maintain links with community groups and agencies through positive working relationships;
• Participating as a Violence Against Women team member at internal and external meetings;
• Share in responsibilities that foster positive teamwork;
• Adopt and promote a participatory style of planning and problem solving.

Evaluation

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date client data, documentation and statistics;
• Participate in WOCRC evaluation processes;
• Participate in the development and implementation of client and/or program evaluation as required.

Other:

All WOCRC employees have some fundamental responsibilities that go beyond the confines of their occupations. These include:

• Ensuring that the commitment to diversity is understood and respected.
• Working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health
• Maintaining up-to-date professional skills and knowledge through formal and informal training;
• Acting as an “ambassador” for WOCRC within and outside the Centre by creating an awareness of WOCRC programs and promoting services offered;
• Compliance with all mandated legal/regulatory requirements related to working at WOCRC (Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety, standards of professional conduct);
• Maintaining awareness of and compliance with WOCRC policies and procedures;
• Maintaining awareness of and compliance with funder requirements, policies,
• procedures and regulations;
• Working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk in keeping with Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures.
• Supporting the Centre’s student and volunteer placement programs.
• Working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the Centre.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent in education and training;
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience direct work in the VAW sector;
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of the purpose, scope, and process to access and retain social housing;
• Knowledge of Violence Against Women issues and counselling principles;
• Knowledge of legal, financial, housing, and employment resources in the community;
• Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of the current VAW services and service providers;
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating information and education sessions;
• Demonstrated commitment to community based social service delivery and working within a Health Equity & Inclusion lens

Competencies:

• Strong critical analysis, problem solving, planning and decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team environment

Language

• Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written;
• Ability to communicate fluently in French, spoken and written;

Computer Competencies:

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products
• Familiarity with Data Management Systems

Other:

• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required, including $2 million in liability insurance
• Active cell phone required.