Social Worker, Black Justice Navigator Project

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $35.99 per hour

POSITION TITLE:Social Worker

DEPARTMENT:Culturally Appropriate Counselling

AFFILIATION:Unionized Position

LOCATION:Headquarters, ON

HOURS:Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm

EXTENDED HOURS:Evenings/ weekends as required for sessions and outreach and facilitation of programs

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multiservice organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Our mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational, and employment services and youth development.

TCSMental Health & Wellness Programprovides culturally sensitive clinical counselling to children, youth, adults, and seniors, especially from the Black, African, and Caribbean communities, to address challenges that may be having significant impacts on various aspects of their lives. Services aim to engage often hard-to-reach clients and work collaboratively with families to develop treatment plans that manage risky behaviours, build on strengths, and facilitate pro-social opportunities for improved outcomes. Using a client-centered anti-Black racism lens, clients are supported to achieve their goals through individual and family counselling and/or group and workshop facilitation including our Youth Mentorship, Stop Now and Plan (SNAP), Success through Aggression Replacement Training (START), and Parenting Together programs.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Social Worker for the Aya Black Justice Navigator Project delivers culturally responsive education, advocacy, and direct support to Black, African, and Caribbean participants (19+), strengthening their ability to navigate the criminal justice system. The role also supports culturally grounded navigation, legal education, coordinated referrals, and contributes to program evaluation, policy development, and system change.

The Aya Black Justice Navigator Project:

Through personalized navigation, group learning, and targeted skill-building, this program empowers participants to navigate complex systems, access critical resources, and take action to overcome personal and systemic barriers. Grounded in a commitment to equity and community, this initiative aims to:

• Expand access to justice for Black individuals and families
• Challenge systemic anti-Black racism and overrepresentation in the justice system
• Strengthen culturally grounded, community-led solutions
• Drive data-informed innovation and long-term systems change

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Justice Navigation Support:

• Provide Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) one-on-one sessions to assist clients with understanding legal processes including steps to be taken to resolve the challenges encountered in their situation
• Court Preparation Assistance including GBA+ court tours, life-skills training, and accompaniment during court appearances

• Advocacy with court officials to ensure that the legal professionals representing Black, African, and Caribbean individuals are utilizing the best legal strategies
• Emotional support and accompaniment for affected individuals
• Facilitation of referrals to clinical counselling participants can receive support to identify and address psycho-social factors that exacerbate their legal situation.

• Facilitate monthly GBA+ workshops to educate clients (laws, legal rights/obligations, justice system structure/processes, resources/supports, and pro-social skills training).

• Establish a robust referral system to relevant resources including legal, social, and mental health.

Project Development and Community Outreach:

• Create informational materials on legal rights, court processes, and available resources.
• Partnerships with Legal Aid organizations, service professionals, community groups, and advocacy networks and other relevant referral sources.
• Represent TCS by participating in relevant service committees and networks.

Project Evaluation & Reporting:

• Collect data on client outcomes, project reach, and stakeholder feedback, analyze data to identify project challenges and opportunities, develop recommendations for project improvement and continuation
• Compile case studies of concerns relating to systemic anti-Black racism and produce legal arguments to the intersection points within the criminal justice system.
• Produce and disseminate a comprehensive report with lessons learned and recommendations
• Share data driven evidence of impact to support continuation of expansion with community partners and stakeholders.
• Administration:

• Ensure accurate, complete, and timely inputting of client and data information onto databases.
• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Present at staff meetings and other relevant meetings, as required.
• Submit weekly/month/quarterly statistics as required.
• Develop and maintain a database of social service professionals from the Black and Caribbean communities to whom the agency may refer clients or from whom the agency may request assistance in case conferencing.

Supervision

• Recruit, orient, onboard, and train Social Work students in coordination with HR.
• Conduct outreach to educational institutions to promote the program and recruit student placements.
• Guide learning plan development, coordinate work, and provide weekly supervision, performance feedback, and evaluation for Social Work students.
• Maintain communication with educational liaisons to ensure program alignment.

Health & Safety

• Adhere to all Health and Safety regulations and Tropicana Community Services policies and procedures and ensure the safety of Social Work students and service users.

MUST HAVE QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Social Work with experience counselling individuals and families from Black, African, and Caribbean communities.
• Current registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).
• Minimum 2 years experience developing and facilitating programs for youth and families from Black, African, and Caribbean communities and providing guidance for those navigating the criminal justice system.
  
• Lived experience of the Black, African & Caribbean culture, in particular, understanding of anti-Black racism issues.
  
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian justice system, systemic anti-Black racism, and social determinants of criminalization.
• Experience supporting Black, African, and Caribbean communities using anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Experience providing counselling, crisis intervention, and group facilitation using approaches such as CBT, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Systems, Attachment, Feminist approaches, Aggression Replacement Training, and Transtheoretical Model.
  
• Understanding of trauma and attachment, particularly in relation to gender-based violence.
  
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and accurate documentation.
  
• Valid police clearance with satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.

BONUS/ PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven time-management, organization, engagement, and sustainability
• Ability to work well in a team setting and with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated initiative, enthusiasm, creativity, versatility, adaptability, and ability to engage people of all ages.
• Excellent facilitation skills with children, youth, adults, and seniors.
• Bilingualism (French) is an asset.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Group Benefits Plan with Extended Healthcare and Dental Benefits
• Options for company-matched RRSP programs
• Career growth and development opportunities
• A chance to play an active role in giving back to your community
• Employee Assistance Program

Although we appreciate each application, only those candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.

Tropicana Community Services commits to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) through its information and support, advocacy, programming, internal policies, and governance structures. Tropicana Community Services will aim to ensure that our staff reflect the experience, skills and diversity of the communities we serve and create an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process please contact Human resources.

All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.