Employment Type: Part-Time, Permanent
Work Hours: 28 hours per week
Salary: $44,646 prorated annually (Level 6), plus comprehensive benefits
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Internal Application Deadline: Monday, September 29, 2025
External Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
JOIN OUR TEAM
YWCA Toronto strives to uphold anti-discrimination practices and anti-oppression principles to ensure that the rights of all individuals are respected and protected. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming of all women and individuals who identify as Trans, intersex, non-binary, agender, and/or Two-Spirit. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people from all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.
As a specialist in the area of trauma support, the Part-Time Shelter Support Worker- Awake Overnight Worker 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 trauma and oppression. They act as a resource to staff and clients and is responsible for providing a full range of services which includes crisis counselling and the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops.
ABOUT YWCA TORONTO – WOMEN’S SHELTER
YWCA Women's Shelter has been in operation since 1991. The shelter provides safe and secure emergency shelter for women, gender-diverse people and their children who are fleeing violence. YWCA Women's Shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and can welcome up to 11 families at one time in its 33 bed shelter. In addition to shelter, women, gender-diverse people and their children are provided with food, clothing, diapers and assistance with efforts to obtain housing, Social Assistance, medical and legal help. Staff, which have expertise in numerous areas (i.e. job readiness, advocacy, housing, parenting, effects of violence on women, gender-diverse people and their children), are available to work with women and gender-diverse people as they begin to establish lives that are free from violence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Applies knowledge of the issues of trauma and the dynamics of woman abuse and homelessness to develop and implement effective support strategies;
Uses mediation and counselling skills to maintain a co-operative, supportive and productive house environment
Provides case management support services to residents;
Develops, implements and evaluates psycho-educational and mutual-aid groups that address clients’ trauma issues as well as women abuse issues;
Provides information and referrals;
Applies knowledge, stays current and demonstrates skills in the area of trauma support and acts as a resource to staff and clients
Conducts assessments and identifies client’s trauma issues
Develops safety plans with clients and provides crisis intervention and counselling for women and their children
Participates in supervisory meetings;
Engages with the staff team in reflective practice, to ensure the development and implementation of quality programs and services
Ensures that residents are aware of and understand house practices and procedures
Shares on call duties
Ensures that the Health and Safety Guidelines are followed in accordance with the policies and procedures of YWCA Toronto
Participates in supervisory meetings
QUALIFICATIONS
In-depth knowledge of an academic discipline normally acquired through completion of a clinically supervised undergraduate degree (e.g. BSW) (Cases for Equivalency will be considered);
Completion of workshops and courses pertaining to trauma;
1 to 3 years’ experience in counselling and mutual-aid group work focused on trauma issues with clients at risk;
Working knowledge of harm reduction principles and practice;
Knowledge of community resources and supports focused on trauma;
In depth knowledge of the dynamics of woman abuse and trauma;
Demonstrated experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of workshops and groups;
Experience delivering culturally sensitive services in a multicultural environment;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Knowledge and understanding of mental health issues, advocacy, refugee and immigration issues, child development and parenting;
Certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset;
Knowledge of a second language and/or culture would be an asset.
Note: Employees must remain awake and alert throughout the shift to ensure a supportive environment
What we offer:
Comprehensive Medical, Vision, and Dental Coverage
Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Benefit
Multi-Sector Pension Plan: Employer’s contribution of 5.75% and Employee Contribution of 3.25%
Time off: Starts with 20 Vacation Days, 1.5 Days Per Month Sick Leave, 12 Paid Holidays, Health Promotional Days and 4 Float Days
Other Benefits: Child Care Benefits, Maternity/Parental Leave Supplementary Employment Benefits, Educational/Sabbatical Leave, and Financial Assistance for Professional Development
Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring. YWCA Toronto is a unionized workplace. Staff are represented by CUPE Local 2189. This position is within the Bargaining Unit. Please indicate on your cover letter if you are an internal candidate. For internal applicants, this position is not secondable.
Posting Date: September 19, 2025
YWCA Toronto transforms lives. As the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we help women and gender diverse people escape violence, move out of poverty and access safe, affordable housing.
We work tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women and gender diverse people back from achieving equality.
Vaccination Policy: In accordance with YWCA Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, all YWCA Toronto employees, students and volunteers are strongly encouraged to obtain all COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Toronto Public Health
Please note: A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring.
YWCA Toronto promotes the principles of anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applications from women and gender diverse people of all races, ethnic origins, religions, abilities and sexual orientations.
YWCA Toronto provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
YWCA Toronto is a Scent-Sensitive Workplace.
