Support Worker

About this position

EXTERNAL JOB POSTING

Reintegration Services Support Worker

Position:         Support Worker

Program(s):    Reintegration Support Program/Reintegration Services

Function:          The John Howard Society of Toronto is looking for someone with lived experience (in the correctional system and who has/had experience with substance use) and who has successfully stabilized in the community. The Reintegration Support Worker will provide people who are released from jail with harm reduction education, overdose prevention, information/tools, community accompaniment, informal counseling, follow-up and advocacy as directed.  In addition, the Support Worker will connect with clients in the parking lot of the jail with the objective of engaging them in our Reintegration Services Trailer- RST (also located in the jail’s parking lot), and making warm internal/external referrals.  The Worker will assist in the development and delivery of training workshops on harm reduction/reintegration support in the community and will participate in supervision sessions, staff meetings, community and networking events including delivering community presentations/public speaking.  If appropriate and/or possible, Support Workers (who have been cleared/have access to the Toronto South Detention Centre), may meet with specific clients inside of the Toronto South Detention Centre prior to their release.

Report to:              Team Leader- Reintegration Support Program/Reintegration Services Trailer (RST)

Hours of Work:    Part time, 19.5 hours/week; 10:00 a.m. to 7: 00 p.m. with some variation and with the                            

                                additional provision some after-hours support from time to time.

Location:              The Reintegration Services Trailer (parking lot of the Toronto South Detention Centre) .

                                and, other sites from time to time including 3313 Lakeshore Ave. W

Salary:                    $16.96 – $21.19 per hour

Qualifications:

1. Confidence (and experience in working with people who have been in jail, people who use drugs, agency partners and community stakeholders) in their ability to meaningful engage vulnerable clients.
2. Familiarity with various practices in working with people who use drugs including harm reduction and abstinence based treatment options.
3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to work in a one-on-one context and within a team environment.
4. Good analytical, time management, and organizational skills with the ability to follow-up on issues or activities with clients.
5. Strong crisis intervention, de-escalation and problem solving skills to intervene in conflict situations.
6. Ability to complete intake assessments, document client interactions and provide client advocacy.
7. Knowledge of local community resources across the city of Toronto, especially in the area housing/homelessness.
8. Superior knowledge of the issues facing people who have been in the correctional system, who use substances/have used substances, and are/have experienced homelessness.
9. Written and computer skills must be sufficient to produce and maintain logs, files, records or statistical information.
10. Dependable, reliable, and willing to work 3 days a week for one year, minimally.
11. Must display a non-judgmental attitude.
12. Be interested in receiving training on harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, Hep C and sexually transmitted infections, and reintegration strategies for people who were in jail.
13. Formal education in relevant degree/diploma programs in Social Work/Human Services is not necessary but may be beneficial.

Service Development and Delivery:

To practice good verbal communication and professional contact with clients, community partners, and stakeholders.

To assist with data collection and participation in research/evaluation as directed.

To complete all written work/documentation.

To assist the agency in community/program development through the identification of service gaps.

Personnel:

To participate in training, one-on-one supervision sessions, internal agency meetings and external meetings as required.

To assist in the development and provision of harm reduction training to clients at the Reintegration Service trailer/Lakeshore site.

The John Howard Society is an equal opportunity employer and a United Way anchor agency. Should any accommodation be required, please let a Team Leader know prior to an interview.

This position will be covered under the union agreement between the John Howard Society of Toronto and SEIU Healthcare.  

Please submit a letter of why you are interested in this position and a resume OR record of your relevant personal and/or work experience and/or education to Sean Bulloch at sbulloch@jhst.ca by February 7^th, 2020, 12:00 p.m.