Housing Support Worker at Friends of Ruby — NeverHard

Job DescriptionJob Description Positions Available: 1 Department: Youth Services (Housing Supports) Location: Onsite (Downtown Toronto) Work Schedule: Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m Position Type: Part-Time, Permanent Hourly Wage: $27.88 Existing Vacancy Closing Date: August 7th Friends of Ruby supports 2SLGBTQIA+ youth aged 16–29 through mental health services, social programs, and housing. We operate a Youth Centre and a Transitional Home, offering identity-based barrier-free counselling, case management, housing supports, drop-in and community programming in affirming and integrated way. Our work is rooted in intersectional, anti-oppressive, and decolonized approaches, and we are committed to treating everyone with dignity, respect, and inclusion. The Housing Support Worker role provides direct support to youth living in the Transitional Home, primarily during weekend shifts. This role focuses on maintaining a safe and affirming environment, facilitating life-skills programming, and responding to crises using de-escalation and harm-reduction approaches. Additionally, help youth access resources, navigate systems, and build resilience through individualized coaching and emotional support. About the Role As a Housing Support Worker, you will: Welcome and orient youth, providing compassionate, non-judgmental support. Collaborate with youth to address goals, safety, and care plans. Build connections with community partners to amplify support. Support daily operations, including reception tasks, snack prep, and maintaining a clean, safe space. Provide trauma-informed, harm-reduction-based care and crisis support. Collaborate with volunteers and teammates to foster a positive, inclusive environment. Your Competencies People-Focused: Aligns functional practices to staff and participant outcomes. Collaboration : Builds functional and cross-departmental trust and resolves friction constructively. Integrity: Holds high work and management standards, leading activities, team, budget, and compliance with accountability and transparency. Growth & Learning: Incorporates evidence, evaluation, and improvement cycles into activities; owns and addresses mistakes; demonstrates openness to continuous learning. Respectful & Affirming: Embeds IDEA, trauma-informed, harm-reduction standards, and staff care into operations; addresses systemic inequities across teams and develops diverse talent. Required Credentials Post-secondary education in social work, social sciences, related field (or equivalent experience). Experience working with youth and/or in mental health, addictions, or residential settings. Knowledge of Housing First for Youth and harm-reduction models. Current CPR/First-Aid training is required. Familiarity with Toronto Shelter Standards and SMIS; TREAT is an asset. Training in CPI, ASIST, and/or UMAB is an asset. Why Work with Us? Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work has a lasting impact on the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Join a welcoming, inclusive environment where your ideas are valued, and your contributions are recognized and celebrated. We offer a space where everyone can be their authentic selves at work. We invest in your professional development with meaningful opportunities for growth, learning, and advancement. Engage in work that is challenging, meaningful, and aligned with your values. What We Need Must be legally authorized to work in Canada. Must provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check. Must reside in Ontario. Must be willing to work onsite in downtown Toronto on a hybrid schedule. Must have flexibility to work various shifts including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays Travel to various community-based settings as needed Important Note If you have accessed Friends of Ruby services in the past year, please refrain from applying to ensure objectivity and avoid conflicts of interest. We appreciate your understanding. How to Apply Please submit applications through the job posting link. Due to high volume, only selected candidates will be contacted. No phone inquiries, please. AI will not be used in screening or selection; it may be used for notetaking during interviews. Friends of Ruby is committed to an inclusive hiring process. Accommodations are available upon request—please contact our Culture & Equity team. Preference will be given to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as part of our commitment to equity and representation. We can't wait to hear from you!