Harm Reduction Lead

Number of Vacancies: 1

Type of Contract: Temporary

Hours of Work: 37.5 Hours/Week

Compensation: $25.65- $26.69/Hour

Job Code: 7-MCP-2026

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: November 30th 2026

Department: Housing & GBVSS

Location: Hamilton ON

ABOUT US

Founded in 1889 YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamiltons original social innovators and works from a feminist anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework. We are committed to providing meaningful and accessible services that create opportunities to amplify voices and co-create gender-inclusive and equitable communities.

YWORK FOR US

Grounded in our core values of intersectional feminism people-centered approaches belonging shared responsibility and strong partnerships our work is guided by the belief that lasting change can be created together. YWCA Hamilton envisions an equitable world where women (cis and trans) girls Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people have the rights and resources to shape their own lives and lead their communities. Join us in taking bold action that leads to life-changing impacts in our community.

AS A YWCA HAMILTON EMPLOYEE YOU GET

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package that may include extended health benefits and paid sick time (eligibility criteria applies)

If youre passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women children gender diverse people and families every day we would love for you to join our team!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Coaches and supports staff and service users accessing programs across the Housing Department. Provides operations and systems navigation direction and support to front line teams. Applies a gendered harm reduction lens in overseeing anti-racist/anti-oppressive trauma informed practice on the ground in an effort to enhance staff wellness and support service excellence. Provides crisis intervention problem solving / decision making shift coordination and staffing integration support in coordination with Supervisor / Manager while ensuring adherence to the YWCAs vision mission and values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for support and program integration across programs within the Housing Department through collaboration with frontline staff and Shift Leads;

Supports staff in operations shift planning and coordination and application and delivery of program guidelines;

Collaborates and liaises with Program Supervisor(s) and shelter providers in order to provide support in resolution and reduction of service restrictions;

Facilitates training and resolves staffing issues in tandem with Management team flagging any areas of concern to Program Supervisor for follow-up;

Provides support training and coaching to assist the program staff with their assigned duties;

Supports the training of new staff in coordination with Supervisor and identifies areas of coaching to support smooth transition into role;

Conducts themselves in a professional manner when dealing with clients members of the community volunteers emergency services and staff;

Maintains a presence in the building and clearly communicates the guidelines of the program to service users members of the community volunteers emergency services and staff;

Coordinates with other program leads and pass along all required information;

Performs various administrative tasks which include: answering phones relaying messages data entry scheduling support and documentation system integration;

Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive information;

Delegates various duties to front-line staff volunteers and peers;

Acts as the point person to support staff in navigating and debriefing of emergency situations when on shift;

Works with women in developing safety plans related to violence addictions and mental health;

Provides recommendations to strengthen existing policies and/or processes;

Ensures that all policies and procedures for the program are current and best practices are incorporated at all times and provides recommendations to strengthen policies or processes;

Identifies and evaluates risks associated with (members/clients/etc.) and works with Manager to take appropriate action to control risks;

Demonstrates and models strong leadership behaviors as a member of the YWCA leadership team;

Fosters a safe and healthy work environment; ensures employees comply with health safety standards that meet or exceed legislated requirements;

Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships;

Understands and incorporates emerging trends leading practices industry professional standards;

Supports YWCA Hamilton mission vision and values;

Participate and provide mandatory organizational and departmental trainings and meetings.

Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Works 15-29 -hour work week; regularly on-call rotation for emergencies crisis situations and resourcing issues;

Often works in high conflict situations requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff;

Rotating work schedule including days evenings nights early mornings and statutory holidays;

Work environment may be hostile or violent at times.

QUALIFICATIONS

Completion of University degree or College Diploma or Certificate in Social Work/Social Services or related field or equivalent;

3-5 years experience working with women and gender diverse individuals who are unsheltered living with complex mental health substance use and trauma;

Experience working with marginalized women and gender diverse individuals and committed to advocating for and empowering women gender diverse individuals;

Previous experience providing leadership to staff and / or volunteers an asset;

Proven experience in crisis management and de-escalation techniques;

Ability to work from a trauma informed practice;

Demonstrated ability to integrate anti-racist anti-oppressive practices within service delivery;

Knowledge of social housing and shelter system in Hamilton and good knowledge of community resources;

Must be willing to attend and participate in mandatory training such as but not limited to WHMIS Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NCI) and ASIST;

Must be familiar and adhere to the Occupational Health & Safety Act Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIA) Human Rights and Employment Standards Act and be willing participate in annual health & safety training provided by the YWCA;

Must be available to work flexible hours and be available for on-call hours which may include days afternoons evenings weekends and Statutory Holidays.

Must provide a current Vulnerable sector police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;

Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;

Must be able to lead and work from a feminist anti-racist / anti-oppressive perspective for operations and strategic planning;

Excellent written and verbal communication skills organizational and time management skills;

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and also work effectively in a team;

Bilingual English/French or other languages an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamiltons commitment to Access and Equity we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women First Nations Métis immigrant refugee LGBTQ2S; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process if you require accommodation please reach out to

Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered. YWCA Hamilton may use AI tools to screen assess or select applicants during the hiring process.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

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