Social Worker, Housing/outreach

Sojourn House provides Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing services to newly arrived refugees coming from all parts of the world. We provide a safe place and an inclusive environment to people who have had the refugee experience. We are dedicated to providing the best possible settlement services and programs that help residents transition and integrate into the community. With decades of experience and being one of the first refugee housing facilities in Toronto we take pride in being a leading organization in refugee care.

In support of its commitment to a healthy, safe, workplace and community all staff must be fully vaccinated as per Agency Policy.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the Shelter Manager, the **Social Worker, Housing/Outreach **provides housing, outreach and follow up supports from _Housing First _and trauma-informed frameworks. Ensures the successful transition and integration of refugees from the Shelter and Transitional Housing programs into the community is delivered from an integrated anti-racism, access and equity framework.

Using various methods and techniques the Social Worker, Housing/Outreach shall provide services to clients of the Sojourn House Shelter programs by using case management related to legal, health, education, employment, income and social supports etc.

The Social Worker, Housing/Outreach shall support exited clients experiencing difficulties in their settlement process in the community and provides coordinated case management with external service providers as needed.

The Social Worker, Housing/Outreach shall integrate the use of trained interpreters to provide programs and services to all service participants.

The Social Worker, Housing/Outreach shall represent the organization in authorized housing and settlement networks for clients and shall participate in outreach and community development activities in a manner that is in compliance with the Code of Conduct and ethics of the organization.

**Qualifications**
- **1. Education**_
- Minimum Bachelor of Social Work _(recent graduates welcome to apply)_
- Proof of current Social Work registration in Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
- Proof of relevant certificate training from a recognized institution in the area of trauma counseling, addictions, mental health related to refugees
- **2. Knowledge and Competencies**_
- Knowledge of client groups: families, adults and separated youth requiring supports
- Working knowledge of IRPA, Mental Health Act, TPA, Ontario Works, ODSP and housing benefit related procedures
- Knowledge of housing related issues affecting clients including practical knowledge of the Landlord Tenant legislation and related legal processes
- Knowledge of refugee law, refugee determination process, settlement and related population issues such as:
Torture
Sexual Assault - early childhood and adult
Violence against women and children
Homophobia, Transphobia
Terminal Illnesses, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS
Issues of Separated Youth
Identity Politics and related issues
- Competency in various therapeutic methods, including but not limited to crisis counseling, solution focused counseling, etc. for individuals, group, couple and family counselling
- Knowledge of assessments and ability to implement treatment plans
- Ability to use interpreters in a counselling context
- Analytical, conceptual and problem solving skills
- Knowledge of community networks and resources for refugees
- **3. Experience**_
- Three to five years of progressive experience as a social worker in a diverse client environment
- Experience in Housing Help an asset
- **4. Working Conditions**_
- Usually works in an office environment, but the mission of the organization may sometimes take the Social Worker, Housing/Outreach to non-standard workplaces.
- A scheduled work week of 37.5 hours and will be required to work flexible hours such as evenings or weekends to accommodate activities such as client crisis, home visits, community escorting, representing the organization at public events, agency events or to accommodate clients who may attend school, training courses or volunteer work during the day and scheduled evening meetings.

**How To Apply**
- Sojourn House is committed to employment equity and encourage applicants from all equity seeking groups. In accordance with AODA, you can request accommodation throughout the hiring process._

**Salary**: From $30.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Overtime

Supplemental pay types:

- Overtime pay

Application question(s):

- In the context of working in a Refugee Shelter explain why experience in trauma informed care is necessary when dealing with our client population?
- Give an example of a therapeutic support you would use for an exited client experiencing difficulty in their transition into the community?
- This position requires a BSW an