Transitional Housing Support Worker

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the GBV Manager and participating as part of the Gender-Based Violence Team, the Transitional Housing Support Worker is responsible for supporting women who are trying to establish lives separate from their abusers. The THSW will assist women by helping them establish a network of supports, and to find and maintain housing. This position works between our offices at 2 MacNeil Court and 1 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 0E4 and is a 28-hour workweek.

Principal Responsibilities And Duties:

Direct Service

• Provide crisis intervention, through telephone and personal contact with abused women; At times this will require meeting women in an office setting, in the community, or in their homes (when deemed safe);
• Accompany women to community appointments, as needed;
• Provide systems navigation including information, resources, and referral (ie: counselling, financial support, employment, legal aid, interpretation, etc…);
• Facilitate and empower women to develop action plans and to implement these plans;
• Provide support in the areas of finding and maintaining housing; (e.g. collecting and filing out all appropriate forms required by Housing Registry) and assist in avoiding eviction through contact with housing providers, support letters, and status applications;
• Assist women in developing safety plans for themselves and their children;
• Ensure that service is accessible to all women, by accessing communication and interpretive services as requested.

Advocacy

• Advocate for the needs of clients within systems such as the legal system, medical system, psychiatric system, etc.;
• Promote and build links within the diverse local community to ensure that Health Equity and Inclusion perspectives are incorporated into differential frontline responses;
• Advocate with third parties in specific cases (e.g., landlords, interactions with Children's Aid Society, court appearances, enrolling children in school, etc…).

Community Education

• Engage in opportunities of community education and be a point of contact for colleagues, agencies, and the community regarding violence against women;
• Respond to community requests for agency information and information regarding housing and violence against women;
• Present to community groups regarding the issue of violence against women.

Coordination of Policy and Service

• Ensure consistent and accountable implementation of the WOCRC vision, mission, values, guiding beliefs, policies and procedures in the day-to-day operation of programs and services;
• Establish and maintain links with community groups and agencies through positive working relationships;
• Participating as a Violence Against Women team member at internal and external meetings;
• Share in responsibilities that foster positive teamwork;
• Adopt and promote a participatory style of planning and problem solving.

Evaluation

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date client data, documentation and statistics;
• Participate in WOCRC evaluation processes;
• Participate in the development and implementation of client and/or program evaluation as required.

Other:

All WOCRC employees have some fundamental responsibilities that go beyond the confines of their occupations. These include:

• Ensuring that the commitment to diversity is understood and respected;
• Working in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health;
• Maintaining up-to-date professional skills and knowledge through formal and informal training;
• Acting as an "ambassador" for WOCRC within and outside the Centre by creating an awareness of WOCRC programs and promoting services offered;
• Compliance with all mandated legal/regulatory requirements related to working at WOCRC (Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety, standards of professional conduct);
• Maintaining awareness of and compliance with WOCRC policies and procedures;
• Maintaining awareness of and compliance with funder requirements, policies,
• procedures and regulations;
• Working in a manner that preserves confidentiality and seeks to minimize risk in keeping with Privacy and Confidentiality Policies and Procedures;
• Supporting the Centre's student and volunteer placement programs;
• Working during both regular and extended hours of operation in locations identified by the Centre.

Qualifications:

Perform other related duties as assigned

Education And Experience

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent in education and training;
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience direct work in the VAW sector;
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of the purpose, scope, and process to access and retain social housing;
• Knowledge of Violence Against Women issues and counselling principles;
• Knowledge of legal, financial, housing, and employment resources in the community;
• Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of the current VAW services and service providers;
• Demonstrated skills in facilitating information and education sessions;
• Demonstrated commitment to community based social service delivery and working within a Health Equity & Inclusion lens.

Competencies:

• Strong critical analysis, problem solving, planning and decision-making skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary team environment.

Language

• Ability to communicate fluently in English, spoken and written;
• Ability to communicate fluently in French, spoken and written.

Computer Competencies:

• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of products;
• Familiarity with Data Management Systems.

Other:

• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle required, including $2 million in liability insurance;
• Ability to travel to clients and meet them in their communities;
• Active cell phone required.

Join Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving lives, while making a tangible impact on your community.

The WOCRC values the diversity of its employees and the knowledge, skills and contributions that each brings to the organization. Our work is meaningful, fulfilling, and can be demanding, so we are committed to offering our staff compensation that is fair and competitive for our industry along with a comprehensive suite of benefits to support staff health, wellness, and financial security. With generous paid time off policies, including 4-weeks annual vacation, 3-weeks annual sick leave, salary top-up plans, a superb Employee Assistance Program, Health, Dental and Disability Insurance, a world-class Pension Plan (HOOPP), discounted gym memberships and a flexible, supportive work environment, we believe in providing what staff need to thrive, grow, and feel connected and included in our mission.

This is a unionized position. Terms and conditions of employment, including compensation and benefits, are governed by CUPE Local 5530's Collective Agreement.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on business and job requirements. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment based on individual qualifications, without regard to age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status (including single status), gender identity, gender expression, record of offences (in employment only), sex (including pregnancy and breastfeeding), sexual orientation or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in Ontario.

WOCRC has an accommodation process in place that provides accommodations for employees with disabilities. If you require a specific accommodation because of a disability or a medical need, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can best accommodate you.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this employment opportunity. Please note however that, due to the volume of résumés received, only those applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Apply online via our careers page