WHO WE ARE

Victim Services Toronto (VST) provides trauma-informed support and advocacy in the moment for any person in Toronto who has experienced crime or sudden tragedy. Beyond immediate support, VST is committed to preventing violence through proactive community engagement initiatives. Our vision is to cultivate a thriving community where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered. Guided by core values of survivorship, adaptability, presence, innovation, and advocacy, VST strives to stand alongside those in need. We are dedicated to fostering a safer environment for all Toronto residents, ensuring that vulnerable individuals and communities receive the support they require.          

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Title

Neighborhood Victim Advocate (51 Division)

Department

Exit Route Program

Employment Status

Full-Time, Permanent

Reports To

Director of the Exit Route Program

Location

Toronto, Ontario

Direct Reports

None

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, scheduled within core operating hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Shift times may vary (e.g., 8:00 AM–4:00 PM or 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) to support team coverage

Salary:

$57,000 – $60,000+ per annum, commensurate with experience

Number of Positions Open

1

Closing Date

Applications will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EDT) on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 

Victim Services Toronto is seeking a Neighbourhood Victim Advocate to provide a vital bridge between immediate crisis response and long-term stability. Co-located within Toronto Police Service (TPS) 51 Division, this role delivers front-line crisis intervention and sustained, relationship-based support to individuals navigating the impacts of trauma. In this role, you will provide stabilization alongside ongoing advocacy, supporting clients as they navigate complex institutional and community systems.

The work is rooted in the understanding that victimization is compounded by systemic inequalities. You will apply an intersectional lens to ensure support is culturally responsive, community-based, and accessible to equity-seeking groups. This position supports clients experiencing complex forms of victimization—including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and violent crime—while also responding to sudden deaths and traumatic incidents affecting individuals and families.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

CRISIS AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

• Receive and respond to referrals from Toronto Police Service, internal VST programs, and community partners
• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and ongoing case management to victims both in-person and remotely, ensuring consistent and responsive service delivery
• Deliver compassionate, culturally responsive, and client-centered practical support grounded in trauma-informed practice
• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify clients’ strengths, needs, and goals, and develop, implement, and monitor individualized service plans in collaboration with them
• Advocate for clients experiencing systemic barriers, applying an intersectional lens to understand how identity and social positioning may impact vulnerability, access to services, and healing
• Facilitate access to appropriate services and entitlements, including emergency financial assistance, travel support, and community-based resources
• Coordinate care with multidisciplinary partners, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community agencies to strengthen service integration and continuity of care
• Support clients in navigating complex systems such as the justice system, housing, income support, healthcare, immigration, and mental health services
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation in accordance with organizational standards and regulatory requirements
• Guide clients through the transition from immediate crisis toward stability and longer-term recovery planning

COLLABORATION AND ADVOCACY

• Develop individualized advocacy letters, and documentation to support clients’ housing, legal, financial, and health-related needs
• Provide hands-on navigation and accompaniment as appropriate (e.g., court, housing appointments, community agencies)
• Advocate directly with service providers, institutions, and government systems to reduce barriers and address urgent or ongoing needs
• Support clients experiencing systemic discrimination, service gaps, or multi-layered vulnerabilities
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with community partners including Focus Tables to enhance the continuum of care
• Engage in community outreach efforts to develop new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, supporting the needs of survivors

VICTIM QUICK RESPONSE PROGRAM (VQRP+) ADMINISTRATION

• Conduct eligibility assessments and submit applications for financial assistance through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)
• Meet with clients in person or virtually to collect required documentation and submit complete applications to MCCSS in a timely manner
• Ensure all VQRP+ documentation is completed accurately and ethically, and submitted weekly for billing and invoicing purposes
• Provide clients with approved VQRP+ supports once funding has been authorized

TRAINING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TEAM CULTURE

• Participate in ongoing supervision, clinical consultation, and training to maintain best practices in crisis intervention, case management, trauma-informed care, and equity-focused service delivery
• Stay informed on emerging issues affecting survivors of violence, systemic barriers, and community-based responses
• Contribute to team meetings and case discussions to support coordinated, high-quality client care
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team environment

DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING

• Maintain thorough, accurate, and up-to-date documentation of all client interactions, service plans, advocacy efforts, and VQRP+ submissions
• Manage and maintain VQRP+ invoices and records, ensuring divisional credit card purchases are reconciled and all submissions are complete, timely, and compliant with reporting requirements
• Ensure compliance with agency standards, privacy legislation, and funder requirements
• Track client progress, outcomes, and follow-up needs for reporting and evaluation

WHAT YOU’LL BRING   

MUST-HAVE’S

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, or a related Social Science field (such as Justice Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Human Services, or Mental Health). However, candidates with an equivalent combination of education, specialized training, and extensive, relevant front-line experience may be considered in lieu of the stated education requirements
• Minimum of 3 years of front-line experience in crisis intervention and/or case management, supporting victims of violence or other vulnerable populations facing complex needs (e.g., gender-based violence, human trafficking, mental health, homelessness, or system involvement)
• Proven ability to navigate and advocate within complex institutional systems (e.g., criminal justice, healthcare, housing, income supports, immigration, and social services) to reduce barriers and facilitate access to services, including ensuring continuity of care through warm handoffs
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, victimization, and the impacts of trauma on individuals and families, including experience supporting clients impacted by violence and other complex or traumatic incidents
• Proven experience conducting comprehensive, multi-domain client assessments (including risk and safety assessments), and developing and implementing individualized service and safety plans that support clients from immediate crisis through to longer-term stability
• Sound understanding and application of anti-oppressive and intersectional frameworks in direct client work, including advocating for individuals facing systemic barriers across complex systems (e.g., justice, healthcare, housing), with critical self-awareness of how identity, power, and social location shape client experiences and access to support
• Strong ability to maintain professional boundaries and exercise sound judgment across all aspects of the role, including interactions with clients, colleagues, and external partners. This includes managing complex or high-risk situations with professionalism, respecting confidentiality and role clarity, and navigating competing perspectives while maintaining a client-centered approach
• Extensive experience in multi-sectoral collaboration, with a proven ability to build and maintain professional relationships with diverse partners (e.g., law enforcement, healthcare providers, and legal or social services) to facilitate coordinated care and integrated support for clients
• Demonstrated ability to provide trauma-informed stabilization in high-acuity or crisis situations, including proven skills in de-escalation, immediate safety planning, and crisis grounding techniques
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and client-centered advocacy documentation (e.g., letters of support, Victim Impact Statements, financial applications, and case notes) while maintaining timely, confidential records in compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational standards
• Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and virtual collaboration platforms (MS Teams, Webex, Zoom); ability to independently manage digital workflows and troubleshoot minor technical issues to ensure seamless, uninterrupted service delivery
• Demonstrated understanding of vicarious trauma and the ability to implement effective self-regulation and professional coping strategies in a high-acuity crisis environment
• A full, valid G-level driver’s license in good standing, and comfortable driving in urban areas, city streets, and on highways
• Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada, either as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or with a valid Canadian work permit

NICE-TO-HAVE’S

• Technical proficiency in administering or navigating financial assistance programs (such as the Victim Quick Response Program+, Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund, Ontario Works, or ODSP.) including experience with eligibility assessment and documentation
• Experience navigating complex social service databases and case management systems (e.g., Osnium, Casebook, Penelope, Salesforce, SAMS, or WISH) to track client journeys, manage referrals, and ensure data integrity; including the ability to reconcile records for provincial reporting and reconcile financial documentation
• Registration or eligibility for registration with a relevant provincial regulatory body is an asset, such as the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), or the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO)
• Fluency in a second language, particularly languages commonly spoken in Toronto’s diverse communities (i.e., French, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Somali, Tagalog, etc.), is considered an asset for communicating effectively with staff, clients, and community stakeholders
• Lived experience with human trafficking, gun violence, or other sudden tragedy or crime, as well as lived experience within equity-deserving communities including Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, people with disabilities, women, and gender and sexually diverse communities, is considered an asset

OUR EQUITY COMMITMENT

Victim Services Toronto is an equal opportunity employer committed to anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to embed these principles across our operations, policies, and hiring practices, and to foster an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, particularly those from historically and currently underrepresented groups. This includes Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, people with disabilities, women, and gender and sexually diverse communities, as well as those with relevant lived experience to our work. If you have lived or life experience that you believe would be valuable in this role, please be sure to highlight it in your application. To read our full equity statement, please click here.

We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation at any stage of the recruitment and selection process, please email us so we can work with you to meet your needs.

OUR LOCATION

This position is in person and located at Toronto Police Services’ 51 Division. We recognize that applicants, particularly those from Black, Indigenous, racialized communities, with lived experiences and other equity-deserving communities, may have varied, complex, and historical experiences with law enforcement.

The final stage of recruitment also includes a police background check for facilities access purposes. We acknowledge this information may affect applicants differently and share it to support informed decision-making throughout the application process.

WHAT WE OFFER

At Victim Services Toronto, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, but we know a job is more than a pay cheque. Here, you’ll be part of a team that works together to make a real difference. At the end of the day, our staff go home knowing they’ve helped provide immediate, confidential support to people experiencing crime or sudden tragedy.

While you’re here, you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities designed to support your health, growth, and overall wellbeing:

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• Eligibility to enroll in medical and dental benefits following completion of the probation period, including access to mental health tools and resources
• OMERS pension plan with enrollment on your first day
• Access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program, including counselling and wellness resources for employees and their immediate family members
• Access to Toronto Police Service gym facilities (based on employment status).
• Professional development funds to support continuing education and career growth
• Agency-sponsored social events and opportunities to participate in community and charitable events
• In-house and external training opportunities related to current roles or future advancement

STAFF WELLBEING MATTERS

Thanks to the generosity of The Janis Rotman Fund for Staff Wellbeing, our team benefits from meaningful, built-in support to sustain their energy and care. This includes every 10th working day off, and access to paid clinical supervision with trained clinicians. We recognize the toll of trauma exposure and are committed to supporting the wellbeing of those who support others.