Please send your resume and cover letter to: Selection Committee Gerstein Crisis Centre 100 Charles Street East Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1V3 Fax: (416) 929-1080 Email: jobs@gersteincentre.org

Community Crisis Worker, full-time
Short-term Residential Crisis Bed Program

Salary: $52,471 plus benefits

Closing Date: Friday, September 17, 2010 (Resume and cover letter must be received by the closing date.)

Gerstein Centre is a voluntary, non-medical 24-hour mental health crisis intervention service located in the downtown Toronto area. The Short Term Residential Crisis Bed program (14 beds) offers short-term crisis support to adults with mental health issues experiencing crisis compounded by involvement with the justice system and/or homelessness.

Successful applicants will have:

• at least 5 years experience in community mental health and crisis intervention or experience in a related field.
• an extensive knowledge of community supports available in the City of Toronto.
• experience with the mental health, criminal justice and shelter systems.
• experience running groups and programs.
• demonstrated capability to be flexible and to work under pressure.
• good written and verbal communication skills (a second language would be an asset).

The Community Crisis Worker:

• screens and assesses referrals to short-term residential crisis beds.
• provides short term crisis support, case management, advocacy and community referrals for individuals staying in the short-term residential crisis beds.
• provides crisis intervention and exercises good judgment in emergency and/or crisis situations.
• can work independently and within a team and shares responsibility for 14 high-support beds within a residential setting.

Please note:

• the position involves regular shift work which includes afternoons and occasional overnights.
• the position also includes some light housekeeping and cooking.
• consumer/survivors from the psychiatric system, members of ethno-racial communities and Native Canadians are encouraged to apply.

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Selection Committee
Gerstein Crisis Centre
100 Charles Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 1V3
Fax: (416) 929-1080
jobs@gersteincentre.org

We thank all applicants, but will contact only those selected to be interviewed.

Relief Staff Required

Relief Staff are required for the Community Crisis Worker position at the Gerstein Centre. The Centre provides services to adults living in the City of Toronto and the City of York who have psychiatric problems and are in crisis. We are a non-medical, community-based agency and use a client-centered approach.

The Centre operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the shifts are 12 hours, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Relief staff are involved in all aspects of the Centre, answering crisis calls on the telephone, providing support and crisis intervention to people in their homes, in the community or staying a the Centre.

Qualified candidates should have:

• at least two years experience in community mental health and crisis intervention or experience in a related field.
• a thorough knowledge of community service agencies in Toronto and familiarity with the Directory of Community Services in Metropolitan Toronto (the ‘Blue Book’).
• demonstrated capability to be flexible and to work under pressure.
• good written and verbal communication skills.
• a valid Ontario drivers license and a Class F license (or be willing to obtain one).

Please note:

• The position will involve shift work including overnights, weekends and holidays, depending on your availability.
• We are particularly looking for individuals available to work Monday through Friday days and evenings.
• Consumers/survivors from the psychiatric system, members of ethno-racial communities and Native Canadians are encouraged to apply.

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Selection Committee
Gerstein Crisis Centre
100 Charles Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 1V3
Fax: (416) 929-1080
jobs@gersteincentre.org