Court Support Specialist (Full-Time, 12 Month Contract)

at  Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto Branch

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION REQUIRED

• Minimum undergraduate degree in Social Work, Psychology or Criminology
• Minimum of three years of direct service delivery in criminal justice and/or, mental health field living with a serious mental illness
• Strong knowledge of assessment and crisis intervention skills
• First-hand knowledge of a wide range of mental health, social and other resources in Toronto
• A working knowledge of the Ontario criminal justice system is an asset
• Ability to implement an anti-oppressive approach to service
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to problem solve quickly and multitask
• Valid Ontario Driver’s License, access to a vehicle and insurance coverage.

WHY CHOOSE CMHA TORONTO?

If you care about mental illness and mental health and you have the right skills, then CMHA Toronto may be the place for you. We have a positive and fair workplace culture, where staff are provided with opportunities for learning and advancement. We are also big believers in wellness and work-life balance. Our benefits include:

• Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), a predictable, secure monthly income upon retirement
• Work-life balance and flexibility – to ensure you have time for the things that matter to you
• Work with like-minded, passionate individuals and make an impact on mental health service delivery
• Build genuine and authentic connections, with colleagues and clients, with the goal of making a difference

CMHA Toronto is committed to promoting a workplace culture of inclusion, openness, mutual respect, and a ‘no blame and accountable’ environment. Our staff report that they value the flexibility in work schedules and the work-life balance CMHA Toronto encourages. They appreciate the training and development opportunities provided to staff and the encouragement for continuous learning. Staff often comment on the sense of family and personal support that exists throughout the organization.
CMHA Toronto is committed to an equitable, diverse, inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which we work and is an equal opportunity employer. As such, we encourage equity-seeking candidates to apply, especially those who identify as black, Indigenous, people and women of colour, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ or women. We recognize and honour the intersectionality of equity-based identities. Personal experience with mental health issues, either through self or a loved one, is an asset. If you are contacted by our offices regarding a job opportunity, please advise prior to the interview should you require any accommodation.

THE ROLE AND OPPORTUNITY

The Canadian Mental Health Association – Toronto is looking for a Court Support Specialist for the Mental Health Court Support Program. The Court Support Program works with individuals living with mental illness who have criminal charges pending at the Court. These individuals may be diverted from the court system and connected to mental health and support services in the community. Court Support Services also provide consultation for individuals who do not qualify for diversion, linking them to services to facilitate bail or to assist with sentencing. This is a pilot position that is intended to work between each of the mental health court support offices. The position with continue to develop over the 12 months as the needs of the court continue to evolve.
Salary: $57,928 – $67,119 + 4% in lieu of vacation
Hours: 35 per week

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing an orientation of program and agency to clients and stakeholders
• Completing clinical assessments
• Client-centred engagement, service provision and interventions
• Facilitating skill development and goal planning
• Developing service care and diversion plans
• Providing resources, information and advocacy
• Maintaining a trusting, respectful and collaborative working relationship
• Monitoring, evaluation and follow-up
• Liaising between court stakeholders and providing consultation to court personnel
• Consulting with the mental health court support team to assess the needs of each location to provide appropriate intervention as required