Front Line Worker

**Note: IHOH is a SEIU unionized workplace and this role is covered under the current collective agreement.**

Summary: Reporting to the Residential Supervisor, the Frontline Worker provides innovative, strengths-based, diverse, intersectional, feminist-based supports, referrals, and advocacy with women living in or seeking services at the Victoria and Friend’s Women’s Shelter.

This position performs their duties in accordance with the vision, values, and strategic goals of the organization. All IHOH staff are required to work within, and comply with, any and all applicable legislation. This role is vital to ensure continuity of service at the shelter by providing shift coverage for shelter staff.

**Job Duties**

The main responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Case management provision and planning for women who are fleeing violence and abuse and residing in the shelter.
- Assess and plan for women’s personal safety, coping (harm reduction planning if necessary), general support, and legal support needs/requirements.
- Work along with client caseloads, including the administrative functions associated with this work.
- Efficiently responding to crisis calls and walk-in clients.
- Provide short-term, strength-based support.
- Use risk assessment tools to assess risk of harm, lethality, and safety plan accordingly.
- Skillfully promote and implement a safe, healthy, secure, and comfortable environment for the residents of the shelter.

**Key Activities**:

- Support the physical, emotional, and safety needs of children to ensure that they are receiving the necessary intervention, protection, and support they require.
- Develop and coordinate good working relationships with referral agencies and other outside professionals, specifically including regional housing authorities, women’s and children’s counselling services, educational programs, job training programs, income support worker and health and welfare services.
- Facilitate general and VAW-specific group workshops to women, focusing on safety and community re-engagement.
- Maintain working knowledge of housing options including non-profit, private, co-op and housing benefit programs.
- Refer, advocate, and network within the various systems.
- Attend and participate in staff meetings, community meeting, committees, and related activities.
- Coordinate and perform various operational and administrative responsibilities such as preparation of comprehensive statistical reports, data collection and providing research to support special projects including the preparation of the program reports as required by funders.
- Assist with the preparation of meals, kitchen duties, housekeeping, and general operational tasks to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy environment.
- Other related duties as assigned.

As a member of the IHOH team, this role will also assist with the following duties:

- Assist in soliciting for donations and sponsorships.
- Assist in receiving donations and deliveries at the shelter, engaging with donors during their drop off, and providing receipts.
- Provide reports on your department/responsibilities to your Supervisor as requested.

**Core Competencies**
- Action oriented and results driven
- Stress resilient, adaptable, and flexible
- Superb communicator, written/oral
- Thrives in a team, social activator
- Approachable, people-centered
- Confident decision maker
- Skilled in intersectional feminist-based support techniques
- Sound knowledge of relevant legislation affecting abused women and their children
- Autonomous worker who can prioritize well
- Client-focussed and compassionate
- Confident in crisis management/conflict resolution
- Sound judgement, ethics, and values. Trustworthy and high integrity

**Requirements**:

- Minimum undergraduate degree/diploma in Social Work, Social Service Work, or a related discipline, from a recognized University/College.
- Membership with an applicable professional college such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, is an asset.
- Minimum of 2+ years experience and a proven record of success working in Women’s services, with preference given to experience within residential settings. Women’s service experience includes, but is not limited to group facilitation, program planning, and working with high-risk women.
- 2 or more years of experience working with women who have experienced abuse/violence; preferably work experience in shelter/community, criminal or victim services work environment.
- Experience with case management and record keeping.
- Experience with community stakeholder engagement and presentation/group facilitation.
- Experience working with high-risk women and working with modalities including Stages of Change, motivational interviewing, and practice experience using an intersectional feminist and trauma informed lens related to gender-based violence is an asset.
- Experience with group development and facili