COUNSELLOR
Job ID: 36543
Job Category: Community & Social Services
Division & Section: Housing Secretariat, Housing Stability Services
Work Location: 2985 Kingston Road, Scarborough, Ontario
Job Type & Duration: Full-Time, Temporary (10 months) vacancy
Hourly Rate: $40.52 – $44.37
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: L79 Full-time
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: 19-Apr-2023 to 03-May-2023
If you are person driven to make tangible impacts towards housing security for vulnerable Torontonians, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and are interested in contributing to the City’s Housing TOAction Plan, we welcome your application to join our Eviction Prevention in the Community (EPIC) program team as a Counsellor.
Building on the City’s commitment to expand preventative approaches to homelessness, the EPIC program assistsvulnerable households facing imminent risk of eviction by offering intensive case management services to prevent the loss of housing and avert the need for emergency shelter services.
To achieve successful housing outcomes for clients, the work requires rapid and responsive service delivery. As such, daily access to a personal vehicle is required to attend client visits, meetings with landlords and with other community agency service providers. In this fast paced environment, you are expected to balance complex and competing priorities throughout the day, and may be required to travel to various areas of the City within the same work day. The role may also require you to work flexible hours to match the availability of clients, landlords and/or other stakeholders. Your keen assessment and case management skills, knowledge of community resources, and navigation of internal / external systems are critical, as this program is outcome driven.
Reporting to the Supervisor Social Assistance, the Counsellor is a member of the EPIC case management team and carries a caseload that will support clients to achieve housing stability.
Major Responsibilities:
The primary functions associated with this position include but are not limited to:
Conducts assessments of client needs to confirm eligibility for service/assistance – including homelessness prevention services, support transitions to housing, and/or rehousing supports. Obtains required information and completes appropriate documentation. Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
Determines, develops and recommends courses of action based on legislation, divisional policies and procedures to support clients
Counsels and supports the individual and/or families as to the best alternatives and/or course of action. Assists with, or coordinates referrals to address immediate needs and issues related to the client’s housing security.
Provides supportive counselling to clients/families
Advocates on behalf of individuals/clients for support, services, and benefits with internal and external resources, and engages in active problem solving around each client’s challenges.
Refers individuals and/or households to the appropriate internal and external programs, services and agencies.
Co-ordinates referrals to outside agencies, purchased services and City services by preparing forms, writing reports, presenting clients’ cases and informing involved staff of relevant information.
Processes applications and/or referrals for services.
Monitors individuals’ and/or families’ progress by conducting additional visits to discuss any changes. Liaises with agencies and services involved. Modifies action plans, as required.
Writes reports, prepares correspondence and maintains case documentation. Documents all information, occurrences and prepares statistics related to case histories.
Maintains records, charts, files, waiting list, etc. Prepares communication material for clients/agencies, as necessary.
Develops and co-ordinates educational workshops for clients/community agencies as required. Distributes relevant materials and information.
Develops and conducts group sessions. Develops objectives and appropriate evaluations of the impact of each session on the client service outcomes.
Participates in program/design evaluation, including the review, implementation, standardization of program specific work practices and client service improvements. .
Coordinates and/or attends case conferences to review individuals’ and/or families’ goals, outstanding needs, program suitability, develop client case plans, identify expected outcomes
Works as a part of a larger team to identify client needs and assist the client in accessing appropriate programs and services through building effective working relationships with both social and private market housing providers, community agencies and City services
Consults and co-ordinates client progress with other appropriate staff
Maintains current knowledge of legislation, community services, resources, policies, programs, procedures and issues affecting client populations.
Assist clients in developing a plan of action to achieve housing stability from a Housing First and Harm Reduction framework
Plans and implements the initial client assessment, case plan, case plan evaluation, discharge and follow up
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
Degree or Diploma in Social Services or related field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Experience in developing and implementing case management plans (i.e. comprehensive, holistic plans that appropriately address client needs and goals) specifically with clients experiencing psycho/social/physical, emotional and/or environmental challenges.
Possession of a valid Ontario Driver’s License, Class G and access to a vehicle for daily use.
You must also have:
Knowledge of issues relating to homelessness including the ability to provide appropriate resources for single adults and families.
Knowledge of human behaviour, supportive counselling and intervention techniques.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain good personal and public relations.
Knowledge of landlord recruitment and retention
Professional deportment and diplomacy skills when communicating with external service providers and members of the community.
Excellent ability to organize time and workload
Excellent ability to effectively prepare and document case histories for presentation at case conferences and/or other client related meetings.
Knowledge of applicable legislation, including the Child and Family Service Act, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), Residential Tenancies Act and amendments, and the Mental Health Act.
Knowledge of related resources and services available within the City of Toronto Divisions and the community.
Knowledge of the division’s automated data and client management systems.
Knowledge of the Toronto Shelter Standards, Housing Stability Service Planning Framework, and the Harm Reduction Framework.
Knowledge of trauma-informed and housing first principles.
Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required
Notes:
A Police Reference Check may be required as a condition of employment.
Possession of a valid Ontario Driver’s License, Class G and access to a vehicle for daily use is required.
A Police Reference Check program brochure is available at http://www.toronto.ca/housing/employment.htm
NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:
City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City’s Internal Job Posting Portal.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment toemployment equity (https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/content/Hiring-Policies-and-Statements/?locale=en_US) .
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request . Learn more about the City’sHiring Policies and Accommodation Process (https://jobs.toronto.ca/jobsatcity/content/Hiring-Policies-and-Statements/?locale=en_US) .
Why Work with Us? For many people, it’s the opportunity to work for an inclusive, local, values driven business that...
Apply For This JobDate Posted: 2023-12-13 Country: Canada Location: LOC13049 1400 South Service Road West,Oakville,Ontario,L6L 5Y7,Canada Position Role Type: Unspecified SUMMARY Collins Aerospace...
Apply For This JobCompany Overview : Our client is seeking a Controller to join their growing team! Our client is a dynamic and...
Apply For This JobJob ID: 233409 Store Name/Number: ON-Vaughan Mills (0858) Address: 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Unit #232, Vaughan, ON L4K 5W4,...
Apply For This JobPosition Overview The Student Success Centre in Student and Enrolment Services is currently seeking a Full-time Temporary Relief Academic Strategist...
Apply For This JobHello, Academic Essay Editors! My name is Tony and I am the CEO at College Admission Secrets – We have...
Apply For This Job