SUMMARY

Reporting to the Manager of Community Programs, the Woman’s Education and Rural Support Community Worker (WEARS Worker) is designed to provide generalized and violence against women (VAW) support and services to women experiencing violence and living in the rural areas of Hamilton. Through an intersectional, feminist lens, the WEARS Worker will engage in community development, raise awareness, and create pathways for rural women to receive supports such as safety planning, education, individual and group support, and advocacy for safe and affordable housing. Using their experience within the community, this team will continuously develop the WEARS program to make it an innovative outreach tool for Interval House of Hamilton (IHOH).
This position performs their duties in accordance with the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of the organization. All IHOH staff are required to work within and comply with any and all applicable legislation, internal policies, procedures and work practices. This role is vital to drive the expansion of services in the VAW sector for the broader Hamilton community.

REQUIREMENTS

• Post-Secondary Degree/Diploma in Social Service Work, Social Work, or a related discipline(s) from a recognized University/College. Social Work educational background is preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience and a proven track record of success with counseling, women’s services, and a minimum of 2 years of mobile assertive engagement experience.
• Experience in delivering community programming through an intersectional-feminist lens.
• Proficiency in engaging, assessing, and supporting women living rurally.
• Skilled in crisis management, including non-violent crisis intervention and prevention.
• Experience navigating housing systems, including non-profit, second stage, and private market.
• Keen ability and interest in working with and for diverse populations.
• Experience working in a politically sensitive environment.
• Comfortable with technology, Microsoft Office suite of programs, and others.
• Valid driver’s license and access to an insured ($2 million insured), road worthy vehicle or alternate ability to meet travel requirements.
• Valid Standard First Aid/CPR + AED, NVCI, ASIST, WHIMIS, Bill 168, AODA, Occupational Health and Safety training.
• Original copy of Police Criminal Record Check for Vulnerable Sector clearance to meet the requirements of the vulnerable sector standards for employment by IHOH.
• Able to meet the IHOH COVID-19 vaccination policy requirements.
• Fluency in French or a second language is an asset, but not required.

WORKPLACE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT HAZARDS

The Victoria and Friends Women’s Shelter is an emergency, VAW shelter where women who experience abuse, with or without children, reside. IHOH also has outreach locations where women seeking assistance will drop in. All employees working at any IHOH location are responsible for creating a friendly, inclusive (non- discriminatory), compassionate, and cohesive environment that will implement strategies and plan to ensure a healthy, safe, and supportive environment is kept at all times.
The setting is fast paced with constantly changing priorities and crises. Most of the work time will be working directly (formally/informally) with clients in fluid, non-office settings. Extended periods of informal client work liaising/advocating with community/stakeholder services is also required. Thus, workplace hazards will include listening to traumatic stories, exposure to barriers/conflict with lack of services and supports for women experiencing abuse. This role works to prevent, defuse, and manage clients and/or community services whose behaviours may become aggressive, discriminatory, or despondent towards staff, other women, and children living in the shelter and accessing supports. Additionally, their abusive partner/person may attempt to access our program locations. At times, when staff are working in the community, they may be exposed to negative attitudes and beliefs or biases towards women and children experiencing abuse and violence. Personal safety plans must always be in place.
The Victoria and Friends Women’s Shelter is a pet-friendly shelter to the women and children we serve. IHOH’s policies and procedures regarding pets in residence are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff, residents, and guests. While the responsibility to care for pets in shelter rests solely on the pet owner, employees must be aware that they will be working in close proximity to various pets during their shifts.
The work environment is funded through grants and government contracts thus employees will be required to keep daily records, notes, and at times produce reports and documentation.
Disclaimer
Due to the changing nature of work and work to be done, other responsibilities may be assigned, and qualifications may be altered. This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected and may not cover a fully comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities. Employees may also be reassigned to other duties or departments as needed to support overall organizational operations and priorities.
IHOH is a living wage ambassador, and an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. In extension, IHOH recognizes that a diverse staff team working in an inclusive environment will make superior and more innovative decisions, better serving the organization, and consequently, the population it serves.

The main responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Engage rural communities and build interagency collaboration to provide public and professional education on the VAW sector and implement an outreach program.
• Provide general and VAW specific support to women, focusing on safety.
• Use risk assessment tools to assess risk of harm and lethality and safety plan accordingly.
• Case management and case planning including crisis prevention/intervention, safety planning, housing, supportive counseling, parenting support, educational upgrading, job training, income support, health, and wellness services.
• Support the physical, emotional and safety needs of children to ensure that they are receiving the necessary intervention, protection, and support.
• Develop and coordinate good working relationships with referral agencies and other outside professionals, specifically including regional housing authorities, women’s and children’s counseling services, educational programs, job training programs, income support workers, and health and welfare services.
• Working knowledge of various housing options including non-profit, private, co-op and housing benefit programs.
• Refer, advocate, and network within the various systems.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, community meeting, committees, and related activities.
• Coordinate and perform various operational and administrative responsibilities such as record keeping, preparation of comprehensive statistical reports, data collection and providing research to support special projects including the preparation of the program reports as required by funders.
• Participate in both fundraising and non-fundraising events that support the goals of the program and organization.
• Organizing and participating in community presentations and public awareness trainings.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Note that all outreach counselors at IHOH are expected to provide shift coverage in the emergency shelter, from time to time, if required. This work could include providing support and services to women/children accessing the shelter, safety planning, answering crisis lines, and providing services to walk-in clients. There is an expectation to help maintain the health and wellbeing of the shelter and its residents by providing support where needed during such shifts.