Job Description

Role:

Margaret's mission is to provide the continuum of housing and support services for women with mental illness through innovative programming, advocacy and education, which empowers them to build and reclaim their lives.

Reporting to the Manager of Housing, the Housing Stabilization Worker's role is to work within a client-centred, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and eviction-prevention model to ensure clients are able to secure and maintain housing by providing support and guidance to individuals to be respectful and responsible tenants. They must collaborate in a warm and collegial fashion with team members including other employees, volunteers and clients, as well as, referral agencies to ensure successful and prolonged community integration and tenancy.

Key Responsibilities:

Provides necessary supports to clients to aid them in maintaining their housing Conducts and assists with client assessments, goal planning, and follow-ups Guides clients in the decision making process, helping them evaluate options and information; acts as a sounding board as required and assists with life goal setting Provides supportive counseling to and problem solving with clients on an ongoing basis Works in partnership with clients to assist them in preventing and/or resolving crisis situations (e.g. harm reduction, suicide prevention, and non-violent crisis intervention) Participates in unit inspections and assists clients with unit maintenance when needed Advocates for clients who require assistance Assists clients to maintain/develop a supportive network Facilitates access to required services, resources, and supports for clients Facilitates meetings with clients ensuring that discussions are respectful and provide a safe environment for raising concerns and questions Provide clients with community referrals for resources, wherever appropriate and necessary Educates clients and service providers of crisis intervention, prevention, and management strategies Provides crisis support for clients assessing physical and emotional states to ensure a safe environment for all individuals; performs emergency first aid as required Manages conflict and provides one-on-one support to clients in need Monitors symptoms of illness and impact on functioning and continued community tenancy Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with key partners, supports, and community agencies Performs routine finance and administrative tasks including, but not limited to: documentation, OCAN and CBI completion, and other administrative responsibilities, maintaining confidential files; completing forms; petty cash transactions Participates in ongoing learning and development as required Performs additional tasks and special projects as required

Required Skills and Competencies:

Post-secondary education in social services, degree in social work, college diploma in social services with a specialty in mental health or equivalent experience Previous experience working in a community agency or hospital environment as a support worker or social worker for 3-5 years minimum Experience working with individuals experiencing mental illness for 3 years minimum Awareness of recovery principles Life skills coaching and crisis management skills An understanding of the recovery model and anti-oppression framework, and a familiarity with issues affecting ethno-racial and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer communities A strong desire to contribute to a community based organization and the improvement of the quality of life for a marginalized community Excellent written and oral communication skills Medication management and administration experience an asset Current first aid training an asset Superior interpersonal skills with a high level of social and emotional intelligence Ability to work with minimal supervision and in a team environment Approachable and sensitive to the needs of others Able to lift and bend and perform light maintenance tasks

Working Conditions:

The incumbent will be required to frequently travel between agency and community sites to meet with clients. The incumbent will also be working in a common/shared office spaces within the agency and the community. Ability to work overtime and on-call hours along with flexibility to work evenings and weekends is required.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: From $43,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care Life insurance Paid time off Vision care
Ability to commute/relocate:

Toronto, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:

Social Services/Social Work: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person