POSITION SUMMARY

THE RESIDENTIAL CLIENT ADVOCATE WILL USE A CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH TO SUPPORT WOMEN-IDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING ABUSE AND/OR HOMELESSNESS WHILE OFFERING A SAFE SPACE FOR INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN THE WOMEN’S SHELTER DURING THIS PROCESS. THE RESIDENTIAL CLIENT ADVOCATE WILL PROVIDE SERVICE FROM A TRAUMA-INFORMED, ANTI RACISM ANTI OPPRESSION LENS, WHILE RESPECTING EACH WOMAN’S SELF-DETERMINATION AND PERSONAL DECISION MAKING.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct service to women-identified individuals and their dependents, including but not limited to, conducting safety planning and risk management, completing assessments and admits, offering housing information and completing housing applications, offering referrals, participating in conflict resolution and offering crisis intervention by phone and through web and text-based service
• Engage with service users in all areas of the shelter
• Participate in developing and delivering on site groups and activities for women
• Ensure the overall management, safety and security of the women’s shelter is maintained
• Keep systematic records using automated case management software and in-house tools such as log books and report templates
• Assist in the training and supervision of students and volunteers within the Violence Against Women’s Services Department
• Understand and follow protocols with community partners such as Hamilton Police Services, Children’s Aid Society and School boards
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and training
• Work safely, identify any health and safety concerns and report to management, and follow Mission Services’ workplace health and safety policies and procedures at all times
• Ensure that service users have access to participate in barrier-free services, assist and empower each service user to become more independent 
• Adhere to a strict confidentiality policy
• Other duties as required to ensure the continuation of service to residents

QUALIFICATIONS

• THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HOLD AT MINIMUM A DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL SERVICE WORK. A DIPLOMA IN ASSAULTED WOMEN AND CHILDREN COUNSELLOR/ADVOCATE, OR A DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK, IS PREFERRED

• Minimum two (2) years of work experience in fields of gender-based violence, child abuse, mental health, concurrent disorders, counselling or other social services supporting vulnerable women; two- four (2-4) years of experience is preferred

• Demonstrated understanding of gender-based violence, child abuse, mental health disorders, addiction, poverty and homelessness

• Demonstrated understanding of working from an intersectional feminist lens

• Demonstrated ability to provide person-centered, trauma-informed and anti racism anti oppression services and supports to women and children with diverse experiences and identities

• Excellent counselling, crisis intervention, organizational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations

• Confident decision maker and enthusiastic team player

• Committed to upholding the organization’s mission, values and standards

• Fluency in French is an asset 

HOURS OF WORK

• 37.5 hours per week
• Must be available to work days and afternoons, weekdays and weekends 

REQUIREMENTS

• Police Vulnerable Sector Check 
• Two-Step Tuberculosis Skin Test 

COMPENSATION

• Hourly rate: $23.42
• Benefits to start after three (3) months of paid, active employment
• Group RRSP employer matching up to 3% after one (1) year of continuous employment

At Mission Services of Hamilton, we value diversity in our employees, and we work from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework and strive for equity and inclusion.

We strive to foster an organization that reflects the diversity of the community we serve and welcome applications

from all qualified candidates. We encourage applications from individuals from underserved and underrepresented

cultural and racial communities, from First Nations Inuit and Metis communities, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA+

communities, people living with disabilities, and those with lived experience of abuse, food insecurity, homelessness,

mental health difficulties and addictions.

Mission Services is also committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If contacted,

please advise us if you require any accommodation measures to ensure you will be interviewed in a fair and

equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation requests will be treated with confidentiality.

We are committed to a fair and transparent hiring process. 

While our recruitment system may use AI‑assisted tools to help screen applications, final decisions are made by our recruitment team, and all applications receive human review.