WISH Transitions Service Coordinator

About this position

Metro Vancouver Consortium’s Transitions Program

JOB POSTING: WISH Transitions Service Coordinator

Deadline for Application: May 17, 2019

About WISH:

For more than thirty years WISH has provided a safe place of respite for women involved in street-based sex work. The women who access WISH services and programs are some of the most marginalized in Vancouver; experiencing extreme poverty, homelessness, social exclusion, violence, racism, discrimination and the relentless effects of current and past trauma. The mission of WISH is to improve the health, safety and well-being of cis and trans women who are involved in Vancouver’s street-based sex trade.  Through a variety of responsive front-line and capacity-building programs and services, women can meet basic needs (hot meals, showers, clothing, nursing care, and personal items), receive individualized wrap-around support and services, referrals and resource information, and find a non-judgmental community to participate in programs that engage their spirits, hearts and minds.

WISH is a cis and trans women-only workspace.

About the Transitions Program

Transitions is based on an innovative model designed to provide highly coordinated support to sex workers from diverse backgrounds. This five-year program was specifically developed to engage sex workers who wish to transition into safer sex work, and/or reduce their reliance on, transition out of, retire from or exit sex work altogether. Through a continuum of service delivery, Transitions aims to connect participants to programs and supportive employment opportunities; decrease systemic barriers; and actively reduce the stigma of sex work in Metro Vancouver. This program is collaboratively delivered through the Metro Vancouver Consortium; leveraging the expertise and partnership of the four member organizations: Aboriginal Front Door Society, Health Initiative for Men, PACE Society, and WISH. 

Position Summary:

The WISH Service Coordinator reports to the Executive Director and works closely with participants to achieve their stated goals and make last changes they identify. She works collaboratively with WISH program staff and the Service Coordinators at the other Consortium member organizations to provide fluid service delivery and wrap-around supports to a diversity of sex workers who wish to transition into safer sex work, and/or reduce their reliance on, transition out of, retire from or exit sex work altogether. Service Coordinators across the four Consortium member organizations work collaboratively and are also supported by the Transitions Program Coordinator, and by a Steering Committee comprised of leadership from each organization.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

One to One Support:

• Manage a fluid caseload of approximately 20-25 diverse participants with varying needs and levels of engagement with the program; and maintain participant logs and case notes
• Conduct intake interviews and needs assessment with participants;
• Support participants to develop and update care plans, identify barriers and strengths and set goals;
• Make referrals to groups, programs, and services provided 1) within WISH b) by each consortium member organization and 3) external organizations;
• Provide participants ongoing support in navigating resources and diverse support systems such as mental health services, housing, violence prevention, and detox;

Weekly Groups:

• Identify, design, co/faciliate (and/or invite community facilitators to facilitate) a diverstiy of weekly workshops and/or events and activities that are creative, engaging and responsive to the needs of program participants and that builds capacity and skills, provides self-exploration, discovery, and peer support.

Program planning and development:

• Improve and adapt program tools including (but not limited to) intake/assessment tools/processes, participant care plans, workshop curriculum, promotional materials, referral processes, data collection;
• Recruit participants for Transitions through in-reach activities at WISH and outreach to street-based sex workers;
• Prepare and maintain all statistical records/data collection
• Integrate Transitions programming into other programs at WISH; and intitiate partnerships with service providers in the DTES to ensure wrap-around services for WISH participants

Other:

• Maintain effective communication and attend meetings with all Service Coordinators and Consortium stakeholders to discuss and review the progress of the program, identify emerging trends and progress, discuss participant needs and case management needs/issues, share learnings, share successes and challenges;
• Attend monthly WISH programmer’s meetings and staff meetings

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Synergy with WISH’s mission, vision and core values;
• Strong knowledge of the sex work community, and of a diverse range of social networks and supports
• Minimum 2-years’ experience with grassroots program coordination and delivery;
• Training and experience in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and problem solving;
• Demonstrated ability to provide de-briefing, support, mediation, and other related team support;
• Familiarity with, and lived expertise of sex work and the sex industry is a considerable asset;
• Exceptional ability to be non-judgmental and approachable; exceptional team-building ability combined with excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated level of proficiency in computer programs, statistical reporting;
• Available for flexible working hours, that can include evening and weekends;
• Clear understanding of and commitment to harm reduction outreach support/services;
• Genuine sensitivity to issues of equity, age, race, cultural, gender/sexual diversity and individual life choices;
• Demonstrated ability to set, adhere to and respect healthy personal and professional boundaries.

COMPENSATION & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Excellent benefits package including employee insurance (medical, dental, life, accident and long-term disability, MSP) following a three-month waiting period.
• We offer a welcoming, team-based work culture in a location that is close to transit.
• This is a full-time, permanent position with an annual salary of $52,000

APPLICATION DETAILS

• Deadline for application:  5pm on Friday, May 17, 2019.
• Please submit a resume and cover letter to Transitions Hiring Committee to admin@wishdropincentre.org. Please indicate “Application for Transitions Service Coordinator” in the subject line.  Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

WISH Transitions participants are, predominantly, Indigenous women and women of colour.  We strongly encourage Indigenous women and women of color from diverse backgrounds to apply.

We thank everyone for their application but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Learn More…

WISH Drop-In Centre Society: www.wish-vancouver.net

Metro Vancouver Consortium: www.vancouvertransitions.ca