W.e.a.r.s) Rural Community Worker

**Summary**

Reporting to the Manager of Community Programs, the Woman’s Education and Rural Support Community Worker (WEARS Worker) is designed to provide generalized and violence against women (VAW) support and services to women experiencing violence and living in the rural areas of Hamilton. Through an intersectional, feminist lens, the WEARS Worker will engage in community development, raise awareness, and create pathways for rural women to receive supports such as safety planning, education, individual and group support, and advocacy for safe and affordable housing. Using their experience within the community, this team will continuously develop the WEARS program to make it an innovative outreach tool for Interval House of Hamilton (IHOH).

This position performs their duties in accordance with the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of the organization. All IHOH staff are required to work within and comply with any and all applicable legislation, internal policies, procedures and work practices. This role is vital to drive the expansion of services in the VAW sector for the broader Hamilton community.

**Job Duties**

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

- Engage rural communities and build interagency collaboration to provide public and professional education on the VAW sector and implement an outreach program.
- Provide general and VAW specific support to women, focusing on safety.
- Use risk assessment tools to assess risk of harm and lethality and safety plan accordingly.
- Case management and case planning including crisis prevention/intervention, safety planning, housing, supportive counseling, parenting support, educational upgrading, job training, income support, health, and wellness services.
- Support the physical, emotional and safety needs of children to ensure that they are receiving the necessary intervention, protection, and support.
- Develop and coordinate good working relationships with referral agencies and other outside professionals, specifically including regional housing authorities, women’s and children’s counseling services, educational programs, job training programs, income support workers, and health and welfare services.
- Working knowledge of various 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 record keeping, 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.
- Participate in both fundraising and non-fundraising events that support the goals of the program and organization.
- Organizing and participating in community presentations and public awareness trainings.
- Other related duties as assigned.

Note that all outreach counselors at IHOH are expected to provide shift coverage in the emergency shelter, from time to time, if required. This work could include providing support and services to women/children accessing the shelter, safety planning, answering crisis lines, and providing services to walk-in clients. There is an expectation to help maintain the health and wellbeing of the shelter and its residents by providing support where needed during such shifts.

**Core Competencies**
- Experienced in feminist-based counseling
- Stress resilient and flexible
- Reliable and autonomous worker
- Thrives in a team, social activator
- Action oriented problem solver
- Confident decision maker
- Superb communicator, written/oral, and confident in presentation skills
- Highly organized and able to manage competing demands
- Exceptional time management skills
- Compassionate and approachable
- Quality oriented and highly motivated
- Sound judgement, values, and ethics

**Requirements**:

- Post-Secondary Degree/Diploma in Social Service Work, Social Work, or a related discipline(s) from a recognized University/College. Social Work educational background is preferred.
- 3-5 years of experience and a proven track record of success with counseling, women’s services, and a minimum of 2 years of mobile assertive engagement experience.
- Experience in delivering community programming through an intersectional-feminist lens.
- Proficiency in engaging, assessing, and supporting women living rurally.
- Skilled in crisis management, including non-violent crisis intervention and prevention.
- Experience navigating housing systems, including non-profit, second stage, and private market.
- Keen ability and interest in working with and for diverse populations.
- Experience working in a politically sensitive environment.
- Comfortable with technology, Microsoft Office suite of programs, and others.
- Valid driver's licen