Women's Advocate

at  Julliettes Place Homeward Family Shelter

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Shelter Worker – Full Time Women’s Advocate (Unionized)
POSITION REPORTS TO: Program Manager or Designate

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Homeward Family Shelter has been in operation since 1990. The shelter provides safe and secure emergency shelter for abused women and their children. Homeward Family Shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and can accommodate up to 13 women and 22 children at any given time. In addition to emergency shelter, women and their children are provided with other basic necessities such as food, clothing, diapers and other personal need items. In addition, other shelter supports include assistance with efforts to obtain housing, social assistance, medical and legal help. Staff have expertise in the areas of advocacy, group facilitation, housing, immigration, family law, parenting and violence prevention, and must be capable of working with women and children in their efforts to re-establish lives free from violence.

6. ADMINISTRATION

· adheres to all policies and procedures of Homeward Family Shelter
· completes administrative duties as outlined in Homeward Family Shelter policies and procedures manuals and specific to your job description
· maintains, records and compiles program statistics and prepares reports and correspondence as required, i.e. including updates to client information, crisis calls, nightly bed count, incidents reports, security issues- mal-functioning alarms, fire alarms, fire drills, initial Serious Occurrences Reports (SORs) to their supervisor immediately
· participates in ongoing program evaluation
· ensures that residents are aware of and understand their rights and responsibilities, house practices and procedures
· ensures that resident, workshop and program notes are recorded and maintain
· attends community coalition meetings and speaking engagements as required
· plans programming expenditure within budget allocation
· supervises students and volunteers as required

MINIMUM EDUCATION & GENERAL EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

· In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. Bachelor of Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Human Services, Sociology or equivalent). An analytical framework that identifies clients’ relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework
· 2 or more years’ experience in counselling and mutual-aid group work focused on the issues of clients at risk
· knowledge of providing services from an analytical framework that identifies clients’ relation to social systems and the demonstrated practical application of this framework
· completion of workshops and courses pertaining to addiction e.g. substance use, gambling
· in-depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma
· experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment
· working knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice
· has working knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act
· knowledge of community resources and supports
· working knowledge of the Landlord and Tenant Act
· demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups
· knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues, child development and parenting, emerging trends and issues
· ability to work under pressure and within the context of a team structure
· ability to work independently
· ability to work within an anti-oppression framework
· ability to multi-task and prioritize workload
· excellent communication and interpersonal skills
· proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, e-mail and the Internet
· fluency in French or a second language strongly preferred
· valid Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening completed (Criminal Reference Check to be updated every 3 years after employment as per Funder)
· current First Aid and CPR training
· valid driver’s license
· certificate in trauma counselling, definite asset
· certification with the OCSSW/OCSW or related association an asset
· current Food Handlers Certification an asset
· Medical Clearance and Functional Abilities Assessment required

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Women’s Advocate works within a collaborative team to provide meaningful and relevant services within a theoretical feminist framework; that includes a working knowledge of the dynamics and effects of violence, trauma and oppression. The Women’s Advocate works as a resource to colleagues and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services, which includes crisis intervention, informal counselling, and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops for both residents and colleagues.
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week – Full time Rotating Schedule (includes evenings and weekends)
Starting Salary: $26.81 per hour