Shelter Worker

Shelter Counsellor Position

Weekday Overnights Permanent (Monday
- Thursday)

Weekend Overnights, Permanent (Friday - Sunday)

Weekend Dayshift

The Yellow Brick House/ Project Hostel is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing services to women who have experienced violence and abuse. The Yellow Brick House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, crises, and short-term supportive counselling to abused women and their children in York Region. We are a dedicated to providing services within a supportive environment that helps women and their children regain control of their lives.

***

**POSITION OVERVIEW**

To provide support to individuals identifying as female and their children who are temporarily residing in the shelter.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Direct Service**:

- Provide counselling to women traumatized by the abuse they have experienced on an as needed basis
- Acts as a resource to clients in the areas of mental health, harm reduction and the dynamics of gender-based violence
- Provides crisis intervention to residents by telephone, text, or in-person
- Conducts intake and discharge interviews with residents as required
- Assists individuals who identify as women to understand the cycle of violence and the effects of violence on themselves and their children
- Provides support to address individuals who identify as women’s needs in a communal living setting
- Overall monitoring of the shelter(s) to ensure safety for all residents and staff
- Liaise with community resources as necessary, in assisting and supporting residents throughout the shift (i.e. hospital, police, Children’s Aid Society, etc.)

**_ Documentation:_**
- Maintains daily confidential, pertinent, accurate and non-judgmental logging on each client as per Yellow Brick House procedures

**_ Maintenance and Administration:_**
- Follow the duties and responsibilities specified under the Occupational Health & Safety Act Sections 28
- Ensure adherence to established safety, quality, compliance, and housekeeping standards and participate in the continuous improvement process
- Attends mandatory and development training as required
- Ensure that health and safety standards of the office are met
- Ability to recognize and address building maintenance issues as needed.

**_Engagement_**
- Communicate fully and openly with supervision; keeping supervisor fully informed of relevant client and staff member information, at all times
- Active positive participation in regular team meetings
- Maintain a positive approach and a professional manner at all times
- Keeps up-to date on issues relating to gender-based violence and evidence-based practices for intervention as it pertains to woman and children
- Maintain community awareness of Yellow Brick House programs throughout York Region
- Acts as a Brand Ambassador for the Yellow Brick House
- Other duties as assigned

**PERFORMANCE MEASURES**
- Accurate completion of all documentation as required
- Meet all Department goals and objectives
- Meet all timelines as established on assigned projects and daily administration

**QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED**
- Completion of a social services diploma
- 2 to 3 years’ experience working with a diverse clientele
- Mental health/addiction counselling experience would be an asset
- Knowledge and understanding of abuse/violence against women and children
- Language requirement preferred: Excellent English skills required, as well as other language used widely by Yellow Brick House client population (ie. Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Farsi etc.)
- Must be able to work flexible hours including days, evenings and weekends
- Valid Driver's License and confirmation of $1M liability insurance.

***

**SKILLS REQUIRED**
- Familiar and comfortable with technology-assisted platforms, specifically video conferencing using MS teams, Zoom, etc
- Knowledge of WISH database management is an asset
- Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Internet and other standard platforms.

**CORE COMPETENCIES**
- Excellent interpersonal skills required in order to facilitate effective communication with clients, families, community and team members
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize a varied workload and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to respond rapidly and decisively to crisis situations both in person and by telephone
- Demonstrated ability to work well individually and within a team structure
- Demonstrated cross cultural awareness and sensitivity particularly as it pertains to gender-based violence.
- Ability to work within an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework

**WORKING CONDITIONS**

Works in a comfortable environment either inside or outside in typically pleasant conditions. Typical conditions are such that no risk of any injury or harmful effect is likely.

Please be advised that in order to be eligible for employment at Yellow Brick House, all new hires must