Harm Reduction Worker Lead

 Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

YWork for us?

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centred, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Position Description

Job Code:   6-MCP-2024

Department: Housing and Gender Based Violence Support Services

Reports to: Manager, Low-Barrier and Harm Reduction Services

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 15-29 hours/week

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: March 31 2025

Schedule: Overnights and Days Rotation

Posting Date: Oct 25 2024

Coaches and supports staff and service users accessing Carole Anne’s Place and the Safer Use Space programs overnight. Provides nightly operations and systems navigation direction and support to front line teams.  Applies a gendered harm reduction lens in overseeing antiracist/anti-oppressive trauma informed practice on the ground in an effort to enhance staff wellness and support service excellence.  Provides crisis intervention, problem solving / decision making, shift coordination and staffing integration support in coordination with Supervisor / Manager while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Responsible for support and program integration between Carole Anne’s Place and Safer Use Space programs through nightly collaboration with Overnight Lead at Carole Anne’s Place;

• Supports staff in operations, shift planning and coordination, and application and delivery of program guidelines;

• Collaborates and liaises with Program Supervisor(s) and shelter providers in order to provide support in resolution and reduction of service restrictions; 

• Facilitates training and resolves staffing issues in tandem with Management team flagging any areas of concern to Program Supervisor for follow-up;

• Provides support, training and coaching to assist the program staff with their assigned duties;

• Supports the training of new staff in coordination with Supervisor and identifies areas of coaching to support smooth transition into role;

• Conducts themselves in a professional manner when dealing with clients, members of the community, volunteers, emergency services and staff;

• Maintains a presence in the building and clearly communicates the guidelines of the program to service users, members of the community, volunteers, emergency services and staff; 

• Coordinates with other program leads and pass along all required information;

• Performs various administrative tasks which include: answering phones, relaying messages, data entry, scheduling support and documentation system integration; 

• Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive information;

• Delegates various duties to front-line staff, volunteers and peers;

• Acts as the point person to support staff in navigating and debriefing of emergency situations when on shift;

• Works with women in developing safety plans related to violence, addictions and mental health;

• Provides recommendations to strengthen existing policies and/or processes;

• Ensures that all policies and procedures for the program are current, and best practices are incorporated at all times and provides recommendations to strengthen policies or processes;

• Identifies and evaluates risks associated with (members/clients/etc) and works with Manager to take appropriate action to control risks;

• Demonstrates and models strong leadership behaviours as a member of the YWCA leadership team;

• Fosters a safe and healthy work environment; ensures employees comply with health, safety standards that meet or exceed legislated requirements;

• Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships;

• Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;

• Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;

• Participate and provide mandatory organizational and departmental trainings and meetings.

• Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Works 15-29 -hour work week; regularly on-call rotation for emergencies, crisis situations and resourcing issues;

• Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff;

• Rotating work schedule including days, evenings, nights, early mornings and statutory holidays;

• Work environment may be hostile or violent at times.

Qualifications

• Completion of University degree or College Diploma or Certificate in Social Work/Social Services or related field, or equivalent;

• 3-5 years experience working with women and gender diverse individuals who are unsheltered living with complex mental health, substance use and trauma;

• Experience working with marginalized women and gender diverse individuals, and committed to advocating for and empowering women gender diverse individuals;

• Previous experience providing leadership to staff and / or volunteers an asset;

• Proven experience in crisis management and de-escalation techniques;

• Ability to work from a trauma informed practice;

• Demonstrated ability to integrate anti-racist, anti-oppressive practices within service delivery;

• Knowledge of social housing and shelter system in Hamilton, and good knowledge of community resources;

• Must be willing to attend and participate in mandatory training such as but not limited to WHMIS, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NCI) and ASIST;

• Must be familiar and adhere to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIA), Human Rights and Employment Standards Act and be willing participate in annual health & safety training provided by the YWCA;

• Must be available to work flexible hours and be available for on-call hours which may include days, afternoons, evenings, weekends and Statutory Holidays.

• Must provide a current Vulnerable sector police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;

• Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;

• Must be able to lead and work from a feminist, anti-racist / anti-oppressive perspective for operations and strategic planning;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational and time management skills;

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and also work effectively in a team; 

• Bilingual English/French or other languages an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note: Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. 

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