Transition House Worker (Casual)

The South Shore Transition House (Harbour House) is currently in the midst of an exciting service expansion! We are looking for casual Transition House Workers to join our team and have a direct impact on the women and children that we serve. Be a team member who strives to create a safe space where participants can receive equitable treatment while building their autonomy. If you are patient, resilient, and have a positive attitude, you might be the right fit for our team.

Position Specific Details:

• This is a casual, on-call position.
• If desired, there is the potential to grow into a unionized part-time or full-time role.
• Candidates are required to obtain a clear criminal reference check with a vulnerable sector search and a Child Registry Check.
• Paid job training will be provided.

Responsibilities
As a Transition House Worker, you will be responsible for:

• Managing the Harbour House’s 24/7 support line.
• Provide safety planning, risk assessment, crisis intervention, interagency referrals, and community referrals to telephone/crisis callers and in-house residents.
• Determine eligibility of women requesting entry into the shelter.
  Maintaining an active knowledge and list of various community service providers to effectively service clients.
• Carry out intakes, ongoing safety planning, and case planning with residents.
• Assisting women in identifying their needs, exploring options and resources; educating the women on the issue of abuse and providing support that empowers women to make decisions and formulate plans.
• Develop and maintain adequate documentation and statistics in client files.
• Update oneself upon each shift by completing required reading, as well as communicating all necessary information to all staff on duty during shift change.
• Provide in-house orientations with new residents and overseeing communal living requirements
• Facilitate meetings to assist residents with conflict resolution and the clarification of house guidelines
• Work harmoniously and cooperatively with all staff, volunteers, and contractors, by modeling appropriate communication and conflict resolution behaviours and actively participating in staff meetings and other training sessions.
• Ensure strict confidentiality for all staff and clients.
• You will be required to conduct other duties, as reasonably requested.

Qualifications
As the successful applicant, you have:

• A trauma-informed feminist perspective.
• Compassion and energy with an interest and aptitude for working with women and children.
• A comprehensive understanding of domestic violence, the cycle of violence, and the challenges facing women wanting to leave an abusive situation.
• The ability to work independently as well as part of a team in a high stress work environment.
• Well-developed interpersonal and counselling skills, as well as conflict management skills and be comfortable dealing with women and children of diverse backgrounds.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as well as the ability to handle a crisis and carry out independent decision making.
• A university degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or Women’s Studies, or other related field is preferred. Equivalent combination of education/training/human services experience will also be considered.
• A clear understanding of woman abuse/violence against women
• First Aid and CPR
• WHMIS
• Criminal Records check and Vulnerable Persons Abuse Record check
• Previous experience in a residential setting, group facilitation, support counselling, and advocacy work in a community-based background are desirable assets.

About Us
South Shore Transition House Association “Harbour House” has supported women and children in Lunenburg and Queens Counties for almost 40 years. Harbour House is a safe non-judgemental, trauma-informed environment providing shelter and outreach services to women and their children who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence and abuse.

Work With Us
South Shore Transition Housing Association is an equal opportunity employer that values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our organization. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation. Applicants are encouraged to self-identify. Priority will be given to members from a diversity or equity seeking group.