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 Inclusivity, Equity, Community, Self-determination, and Accountability. 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: 2-PPH-2023

Department: Housing and Gender Based Violence Support Services

Reports to: Director, Housing & Gender Based Violence Support Services

Location:  Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Start Date:  June 12, 2023

Posting Date: May 17, 2023

• Works collaboratively with women and gender diverse individuals to support a diverse range of needs including legal support, systems navigation, housing, education, employment and mental health/ addictions to establish and maintain a plan to assist them with a safe and effective path to independence;
• Support with release planning, safety planning & risk assessment, harm reduction strategies, referrals to community agencies and case management;
• Assistance with Bad Date reporting, first aid supplies, harm reduction supplies, sex work supplies, clothing, toiletries, makeup and access to sex work specific resources
• Conducts intake meetings and assessments of clients to identify needs and establish service goals;
• Applies the knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse to develop and implement effective support strategies; and provide support through disclosures of sexual violence
• Supports the training of placement students and provides feedback to Program Supervisor for evaluation of placement students;
• Works within general rules, procedures and standards, referring issues or problems to direct supervisor;
• Maintains professional recordkeeping standards in a system for reports and statistics on client interactions;
• Communicates, advocates and collaborates with community agencies (e.g. courts, legal services, housing) to provide resources and services to clients/residents;
• Offers clients crisis intervention, supportive counselling, referrals and advocacy;
• Provides programming and facilitates group workshops (e.g. safety plans, healthy relationships, impact of trauma on children);
• Provides crisis intervention and response as required;
• Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client, employee and contract information;
• Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved;
• Implements appropriate program guidelines and procedures/templates for program to ensure consistency and excellence;
• Provides program reports to Supervisor as required;
• Attends industry related networking events and representing the YWCA on community committees;
• Understands and incorporates emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;
• Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures,
• Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA) Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights and Employment Standards Act (ESA);
• Participates in annual Health & Safety training provided by the YWCA;
• Attends and participates in staff/team meetings;
• Ensures compliance with YWCA Hamilton policies and procedures;
• Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;
• Performs other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works 37.5 -hour work week; regularly on-call rotation for emergencies, crisis situations and resourcing issues;
• Work schedule includes days, afternoons, weekday and/or occasional weekends;
• Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff.
• Ability to use frequent medium to heavy physical effort: lifting up to 22.7 kg (50 lbs.), bending and stooping.

Qualifications

• Completion of 2 years’ college in social work or human services, or equivalent;
• 3 years’ experience working in violence against women services and supportive counselling;
• Strong knowledge and experience in group or workshop facilitation;
• Sound knowledge of the Canadian criminal justice system, court processes. Ability to navigate legal resources, Probation and Parole, as well as familiarity with various justice services partners
• A solid understanding of factors that contribute to individuals’ involvement in the criminal justice system and the systemic causes of the over representation of women and gender-diverse people with mental health and addictions issues in the criminal justice system;
• Knowledge and experience supporting those working in sex work, providing information and support on safety and violence prevention to participants to empower women to make safe and healthy choices for themselves.
• Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and Immigration and Family Law is an asset;
• Experience in trauma-based counselling and education;
• Must be able to work from a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective;
• Ability to work a schedule which includes days, afternoons, weekday and/or occasional weekends;
• 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;
• Knowledge of community resources in the violence against women sector;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and also work effectively in a team;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Bilingual English/French or other languages is 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.

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