Mobile Outreach Worker

**Title**: Mobile Outreach Worker

**Location**: 962 Bloor St West

**Supervisor**: Case Support Supervisor

**Sistering **is a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed.** **Our harm reduction philosophy is a core element of all the work we do. We operate on a trauma-informed and relationship-based model.

Our programs include a low-barrier 24/7 Drop In, Housing and Case Support, Harm Reduction, Peer Outreach, on-site Medical Clinic, On the Path to Employment and Spun Studio social enterprise. During COVID our 24/7 Drop In runs as one of the City Respite Centres, providing essential services.

***:
The Outreach Worker will be an empathetic and highly motivated individual who will provide community-related services and programming. This individual requires an open, non-judgemental attitude towards the homeless population and their daily struggles. They will need to engage and support community members of all socio-economic backgrounds, particularly those that are at risk or marginalized.

The Outreach Worker must be prepared to engage individuals in situations and locations that some may find unfavorable, including meeting with clientele at night after dark in unconventional environments such as parks or under bridges. This individual must be able to lift up to 50lbs with assistance and be able to support and assist clients in safely entering and exiting the Outreach van. They must also be able to walk in unfavorable weather conditions such as rain, cold etc. and be able to walk distances through parks and open or urban spaces. This role requires sitting and or drive a vehicle for long periods.

The incumbent may be interacting with highly intoxicated individuals, those with severe mental health issues and potentially angry and abusive clients. The ability to de-escalate situations and make quick, appropriate, collaborative decisions under competing priorities and situations is crucial. They must always operate with a ‘safety first’ mind set and engage in a collaborative approach to planning a safe exit based on industry best practices.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Mandatory:_
- Knowledge of mental health, homelessness, poverty, social isolation and First Nations issues, as may be obtained through post-secondary education and training in social services or related field. In addition to “lived” experience and/or two years’ experience in front line community work with the client population.
- Demonstrated experience with an understanding of homelessness, marginalized populations, including those experiencing mental illness and addictions
- Demonstrated experience in crisis intervention and services
- Thorough understanding of harm reduction practices and experience working from a harm reduction model, with specific experience related to mental health and addictions
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge of community/social services, particularly in areas of mental health, corrections, housing and health, in order to do appropriate referrals
- Knowledge is required of the types of issues facing a diverse population of disadvantaged adults in a multi-cultural community, including: anti-oppression, anti-discrimination, anti-racist, and harm reduction efforts

**WORKING CONDITIONS**:
This position works in the office and community. Sistering is a 24/7 operation, fast paced, intense environment. There may be the risk of exposure to potentially unpredictable behaviours and situations. Sistering is a pet friendly facility and as such, employees can expect to be in the proximity of animals.