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: 1-MSP-2024 

Department: Housing & Gender Based Violence Support Services – Low Barrier & Harm Reduction Services

Reports to: Program Manager

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: July 31^st, 2025

Posting Date: June 27^th, 2024

Leads and supervises staff and provides support to women accessing Harm Reduction Services and/or the Safer Use Space using integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive trauma perspective. Supports include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, brief goal planning, and programming while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values.

• Responsible for the overall administration and operation of the Safer Use Space;
• Supports Manager in oversight and integration of Harm Reductions services and team within broader Carole Anne’s Place program as well as Transitional Living Program;
• Directly supervises up to 12 employees including recruiting, scheduling, training, monitoring and evaluating performance;
• Responsible for training staff, inclusive of integration and support to Peer Staff working within the space;
• Demonstrates tact, discretion and persuasion required in influencing, teaching, motivating clients and employees;
• Demonstrates and models strong leadership behaviours as a member of the YWCA leadership team;
• Work with participants to identify & support their personal goals and objectives;
• Liaise with internal stakeholders across Departments to sustain operations and establish collaborative relationships (i.e. At the Table, Facilities, Human Resources etc.);
• Liaison with community partners such as; Public Health, Health Canada (Urgent Public Health Needs Site), Urban Core, HAMSMaRT etc.;
• Provide crisis intervention and debriefing support;
• Offer referrals and assist clients in navigating services and housing in the community;
• Advocate on behalf service users to increase access and integration with other services, both internally and externally;
• Collects and documents all information relevant to the Urgent Public Health Needs Site (UPHNS) agreement with Health Canada and YWCA Hamilton – and participates in an ongoing evaluation and review of the space;
• Maintains a hygienic, organized, comfortable and respectful environment in the Safer Use Space; this may include cleaning biohazardous fluids (such as vomit or blood);
• Perform general housekeeping duties such as but not limited to completing laundry;
• Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client, employee and contract information;
• Stays current on emerging trends, leading practices and legislation affecting violence against women, homelessness responses, and housing programs, regulations and directives;
• Fosters a safe and healthy work environment; ensures employees comply with health, safety standards and policies that meet or exceed legislated requirements;
• Participate and provide mandatory organizational and departmental trainings and meetings;
• Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;
• Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works 37.5 -hour work week includes weekends, holidays, days, afternoon and evenings. 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.

Qualifications

• Completion of 3 years’ college or university in social or human services, or equivalent;
• Minimum 3-5 years’ direct service experience working with unhoused individuals, individuals experiencing violence, with a minimum of 1-2-years of supervisory experience;
• Committed to advocating and empowering women and gender-diverse individuals;
• Experience working with marginalized women and gender-diverse individuals; experience working in diverse community or setting;
• Knowledge of community resources and supports for substance use (safe use, safe supply, treatment, withdrawal management, etc.), mental health, social housing and shelter system in Hamilton;
• Proven experience in crisis management and de-escalation techniques;
• Proven experience in providing and coaching staff in urgent care to reverse overdose/drug poisoning in participants;

• Knowledge of key issues including homelessness, housing, violence against women, poverty, mental health and addictions; and Peer Support frameworks;
• Knowledge and skills in feminist, trauma informed crisis intervention and supportive counseling;
• Non-Violence Crisis Intervention Training (NVCI) and/or Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is an asset;
• Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must provide a current Vulnerable sector police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must be able to lead and work from a trauma informed, intersectional feminist, anti-racist/ anti-oppressive perspective for operations and strategic planning;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule; able to work weekend shifts in the event of no coverage;
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational and time management skills;
• 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.

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.