Job ID: 61966
Job Category: Community & Social Services
Division & Section: Toronto Shelter & Support Services, Homelessness Init & Prevention Svcs
Work Location: Please see location details further below.
Job Type & Duration: Part-Time, Ongoing
Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $36.35 to $39.69
Shift Information: On an "as required basis". Shifts include days, afternoons, overnights, weekends and holidays
Affiliation: L79 Unit B PT
Number of Positions Open: 20+
Posting Period: 29-Jun-2026 to 14-Jul-2026
The Division: Toronto Shelter and Support Services Division provides emergency accommodation and assistance to individuals and families with children experiencing homelessness while promoting stable housing solutions. TSSS directly operates several shelters and programs across the City. Service delivery is aligned to a Housing First approach and connects individuals to supports and services needed to stabilize their housing. As a member of the shelter staff team and guided by Toronto Shelter Standards, Client Service Workers play a critical role by assisting people on a day to day basis during their shelter stay.
Shift requirements: Must be available to work all shifts (days, afternoons & overnight shifts) four (4) separate days a week, of which two (2) days must include Saturdays & Sundays. Work schedules are posted six (6) weeks in advance, and hours of work will be determined based on operational needs, including call-in shift coverage.
The Role
As a Client Service Worker, you will be responsible for addressing client needs through a client focused and harm reduction perspective. In your role as a Client Service Worker, you will:
- Perform initial screenings and assess client eligibility for admittance to emergency shelter programs.
- Admit clients and assist them to integrate into the emergency shelter environment by providing a tour of the program, explaining the rules and policies, fire safety procedures, and housing first philosophy.
- Ensure safety and well-being of clients and staff by doing regular facility and bed/room checks.
- Assess and assist with addressing client's personal hygiene, medical, financial and emotional needs and refer them to appropriate community health, housing and social support services if necessary. Liaise with other City staff and with community agencies (e.g. hospitals, social workers, doctors, courts, shelters providers, etc.) to ensure clients receive high quality service.
- Provide assistance when medical emergencies and other critical incidents occur within the shelter using first aid, problem-solving, and crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate conflicts.
- Provide a high level of professional customer service skills in establishing and maintaining working relationships with clients, service providers, the general public and/or staff when addressing service inquiries, requests and/or complaints.
- Document shift occurrence information in line with internal policies, including the completion of logs, incident reports, case management notes and recording admittance and discharge information in the SMIS system.
- Participate in meetings, case conferences, and divisional initiatives, as well as the development of client case plans and program development and delivery (e.g. recreation, educational, social/life skills).
- Ensure a high level of customer service and professionalism Undertake training and other duties as required.
Key Qualifications
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:
- Degree or Diploma in Social Services or a related field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Considerable experience in directly assisting persons experiencing mental health, substance use, physical health, social, emotional and/or environmental problems in an emergency shelter or similar setting.
- Considerable experience addressing the needs of homeless clients or clients at risk of homelessness.
You must also have:
- Knowledge of working with Indigenous populations and/or lived experience as an Indigenous person is considered an asset.
- Knowledge of current issues and expertise related to homelessness and/or street involved individuals.
- Advanced knowledge of community resources and services to assist clients to address their presenting issues.
- Understanding of and commitment to working from a harm reduction, anti-oppression, strengths-based, and trauma-informed care approach.
- Exhibit active listening, empathy, compassion, and diplomacy in relationship building with clients.
- Ability to work in an automated environment with excellent computer skills to prepare, write and maintain reports/records.
- Ability to effectively perform job duties with minimum supervision.
- Ability to appropriately assess situations and problem solve and remain calm to de-escalate interpersonal conflicts in an effective manner utilizing crisis intervention techniques.
- Excellent customer service skills with an ability to establish and maintain effective working with clients, service providers, community agencies, the general public and/or staff to address service inquiries, requests and/or complaints.
- Commitment to supporting wellness and contributing to a positive and care-based team culture.
As the potential work locations may include the following, you must have the ability to travel and work at different locations based on operational needs:
- Seaton House Portfolio
- Robertson House Portfolio
- Women's Residence Portfolio
- Birkdale Residence Portfolio
- Family Residence Portfolio
- Scarborough Women's Shelter Portfolio
- Four Points Isolation & Recovery Site
- Streets to Homes Assessment & Referral Centre (SHARC)
- 129 Peter Progress Portfolio
- Toronto Plaza Portfolio
- Other temporary shelter or motel programs operated by the division.
Note: A Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check will be required as a condition of employment.
For more information on Shelter Services, please visit our website at http://www.toronto.ca/housing.
A Police Reference Check program brochure is available at http://www.toronto.ca/housing/employment.htm.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.
