POSITION: Client Support Worker

TEAM: Grief, Loss and Wellness Initiative

STATUS: Full Time Contract – One Year

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director

HOURS/WEEK: 35 Hours

POSTING DATE: May 10, 2023

SALARY RANGE: $52,623 – $64,297

CLOSING DATE: Friday May 19, 2023

 

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:

Breakaway Community Services is a multifunction substance use service that provides a range of community-based and outreach programs. We are strongly committed to providing innovative community services from a harm-reduction, trauma-informed perspective. We develop programs that are accessible, barrier free, and open to all community members.

Breakaway Community Services is strongly committed to the principles of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. Priority will be given to people from BIPOC and other frequently under-represented and marginalized communities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Grief, Loss and Wellness Initiative is a community-based program that aims to support worker and community wellness in the overdose crisis. The initiative provides both direct services in the form of group, 1-1 and rapid response services to those who provide harm reduction support to communities of drug use, as well as capacity building (skill development, training, policy recommendation) for harm reduction workers and organizations. This role will provide response to harm reduction workers and organizations experiencing acute grief, crisis or distress following a fatal overdose, death within community, or other critical incident that impacts frontline workers providing support within the overdose crisis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Community outreach and consultation with community harm reduction workers and programs
  • Collaborate in the development of the initiative’s trauma response model
  • Conduct needs assessment through engagement with community members and other stakeholders
  • Oversees the development and delivery of intake processes and referral pathways.
  • Connect individuals and organizations with internal and external grief and loss resources
  • Community outreach and consultation with community harm reduction workers and programs
  • Collaborate in the development of the initiative’s service models
  • Conduct needs assessment through engagement with community members and other stakeholders
  • Deliver rapid crisis, grief and trauma support in response to requests from service providers throughout the City of Toronto.
  • Provide responsive, accessible, and flexible critical incident debriefing and workshops from a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach (one to one and/or group)
  • Respond to community requests promptly, requiring some flexible shift work
  • Develop and deliver capacity building training modules and resources in collaboration with the Grief, Loss and Wellness team
  • Attend weekly team meeting and report to program manager
  • Engage regularly in clinical supervision
  • Engage with stakeholders and participate in working groups and committees as required
  • Complete required documentation as it relates to funding/reporting requirements
  • Participate in program evaluation processes

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum five years of working directly with substance use (in a harm reduction context), trauma support, grief and loss and demonstrated skill in the delivery of crisis/impact debriefings
  • Lived experience an asset
  • Strong and up-to-date understanding of the experiences front-line workers within the context of the overdose and drug poisoning crisis
  • Experience collaborating with, and advocating within the following systems is considered as asset: harm reduction agencies, shelter and housing sector
  • Commitment to anti-oppressive practices
  • A strong working understanding of the principles of harm-reduction and trauma informed care
  • Current First Aid/CPR and CPI certificate preferred
  • The role requires direct work in community and therefore proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required

 

Please submit a resume and cover letter by e-mail to Stephen Chatterton at:

[email protected]

with the subject line:
Hiring Committee: Grief, Loss and Wellness – CSW Intake

 

Breakaway Community Services is strongly committed to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We encourage people from frequently under represented and marginalized communities to apply. We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Breakaway is committed to developing an inclusive, barrier-free selection process and work environment. We seek to provide accessibility for all applicants, consistent with our accessibility policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.