Crisis Response Worker

Why make ONWA your career choice?

Make a difference in the lives of Indigenous peoples by supporting and advocating for positive change. ONWA prides itself on providing all employees with a total rewards package that is generous and supports our workforce and their family members:

• Competitive salaries
• Generous paid vacation time
• Paid time off at Christmas above paid vacation time
• Additional paid stat and civic holidays
• 35 hour work week
• Comprehensive benefits program including health, paramedical, dental, vision and EAP. All premiums covered by the employer.
• Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account
• Participate in CAAT defined benefit pension plan and retire with secure lifetime retirement income
• Paid sick days
• Paid cultural/personal wellness days
• Flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development.
• Possible reimbursement on portion of cell phone and internet expenses

VISION:

At the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA), we celebrate and honor the safety and healing of Indigenous Women and Girls as they take up their leadership roles in the family, community, provincially, nationally, and internationally for generations to come.

SCOPE:

The Crisis Response Worker will provide immediate response to women at risk of human trafficking or leaving a situation of trafficking, by providing immediate crisis response and stabilization with transportation to safe housing and access to supports as they require. The Crisis Response Worker will liaise with police services and will ensure ongoing trauma informed; culturally based supports are provided until the woman has safely transitioned to appropriate long term supports. Crisis Response Workers will work one on one with at risk women and provide one on one counselling, cultural programming, referrals, advocacy, and services.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum degree in Social Work, Indigenous Studies or equivalent.
• Previous experience in Intensive Case Management, Advocating and supporting Indigenous Women.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience advocating and supporting Indigenous women.
• A strong understanding of Violence Against Women Sectors/Services while using an integrated feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression perspective is required. Knowledge of gender-based analysis theory and methodology.
• Commitment to supporting sexually trafficked women.
• Proven work experience in crisis supports and ability to mediate conflict.
• Knowledge of trauma, mental health, substance abuse and harm reduction.
• Ability to work within a Community Member centered approach.
• Strong organizational, project management and time management skills.
• Experience working on a collaborative team.
• Strong connection to other social service providers within the community.
• Candidate must be willing to work flexible hours as needed to provide crisis response to Community Members, which will include evenings and weekends and on-call (rotating schedule) overnight hours as needed.
• Knowledge and working of Not-For Profit Organizations.
• Demonstrated organizational, time management and presentation skills with the ability to follow through on assigned duties independently within strict deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communications, with emphasis on keen listening and ability to effectively interpret verbal communications and needs of prospective Community Members.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office; competency working with other databases.
• Knowledge and understanding of current issues facing Indigenous Women and their families.
• Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction and be able to improve performance through management feedback.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to speak an Indigenous Language is considered an asset.
• Reliable vehicle, appropriate vehicle insurance coverage and valid Ontario “G” class driver’s license.
• Current, valid vulnerable sector criminal records check. Valid 1st Aid/CPR.
• A cellular phone and internet access is required within this position.
• Must be willing and able to work flexible working from home arrangement if required. This may include a combination of virtual remote work in your home and in office arrangements. This will be based on operational needs and will be determined by the ONWA.
• ONWA is committed on implementing measures to protect its community members, staff, and other stakeholders from COVID-19. As a result, ONWA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Exemptions will be made for those with a valid medical exemption; proof of the exemption will be required.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you would like to learn more about the job, please send us an email at hr@onwa.ca.