Ywca Rotational Advocate-maternity Leave Coverage

**Job Posting: YWCA Advocate**
**Maternity Contract with possibility of extension**

**Location**:Culp Street, King Street or Safer House locations
**Hours of Work**: rotating shifts **. Two 8 hour weekday, two 12 hour weekend**

As the largest provider of Emergency Shelter in the Niagara Region, the YWCA Niagara Region offers innovative housing programs and services that provide hope for women and their families living in poverty.

The YW provides shelter, food and assistance to homeless women and their families. Our dedicated staff provides exceptional care and support for the women and their families who turn to us. The YW offers staff a challenging and collaborative environment as they work to create meaningful change for homeless individuals.

To complement our Emergency Shelter program staff, the YW is looking for an exceptional team player, who is compassionate, non-judgmental, and self-motivated to round out the team.

**Position Summary**
The Advocate position will report to the Program Managers to assist in the operation of the shelters in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Duties include the following: maintaining appropriate record keeping, completing intake/discharge forms, maintaining security for guests/staff/facilities, goal setting and referrals to other community partners, promoting co-operative living, and participating in housekeeping duties, including occasional food preparation and cleaning. This position offers the opportunity to also support our Anti Human Trafficking shelter, Safer House, providing support to human trafficking survivors. Specialized training will be provided.

**Responsibilities**:

- Provides appropriate professional understanding and intervention in response to emotional, behavioural, physical needs of clients.
- Responds with Crisis Intervention in situations of physical confrontation, and medical and psychiatric emergencies for womxn who have recently experienced trauma
- Provides support to womxn through a trauma informed framework
- Maintains and supervises established routines and procedures.
- Assists clients to establish and achieve individualized goals
- Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills.
- Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding client information.
- Works collaboratively with community agencies, providing referrals and follow-up as necessary.
- Exercises good judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential information.
- Completes all necessary documentation, including written records/reports and provides statistics as requested.
- Understands health and safety standards, regulations, policies and procedures and complies with them.
- **This position includes working every weekend unless alternate coverage is arranged.**:

- **All new hires are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.**

**Qualifications**:

- Minimum CYW, SSW Diploma or equivalent
- Minimum one (1) year experience working with the homeless and/or marginalized individuals
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking and a self-directed working style
- Understanding of anti-oppressive, feminist, trauma informed frameworks
- Ability to effectively intervene with conflict and crisis
- Able and willing to work all shifts ( overnight, day and evening) on a rotational schedule
- Reliable transportation is required as shift can be in any city we provide supports
- CTI, Level C First Aid and Vulnerable Screening Clearance (Police Check)

**Job Type**: Fixed term contract

**Salary**: $19.50 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Vision care

Schedule:

- 12 hour shift
- 8 hour shift

Application question(s):

- Are you able to commit to working 12 hours every Saturday and Sunday unless otherwise arranged?
- Do you have a reliable vehicle to travel to both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls?

**Experience**:

- working with a homeless population: 1 year (preferred)