Wellness and Recreation Worker
CONTRACT: 11 months
The Wellness and Recreation Worker plays a key role in HTH’s violence against women specialized wrap-around services, supporting the healing, connecting and overall well-being of women engaged in services. Integrating an intersectional feminist framework and a harm reduction philosophy, the Wellness and Recreation Worker is responsible for designing and delivering accessible, low-barrier wellness and recreation programming. Engaging in motivational interviewing techniques the worker supports women in service to gain diverse experiences through a diverse range of recreational activities.
The Wellness and Recreation worker approaches recreational activities as a therapeutic and empowering tool, offering women opportunities to explore new experiences, restore joy, build health coping mechanisms and strength social connection. The Wellness and Recreation worker ensures that all programming supports women’s emotional regulation, stress reduction, confidence- building and self-determination, while reducing isolation and enhancing quality of life. The role specializes in wellness and recreation programming for women who have experienced or are at risk of human trafficking.
responsibilities and activities
SERVICE DELIVERY
· Establish a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive environment that fosters empowerment, healing, and self-determination.
· Support in the day-to-day operations of Operation Grow’s programs and services at both locations
· Design and facilitate accessible wellness and recreation programming that supports physical, emotional, and social well-being.
· Design, coordinate and deliver a diverse range of wellness and recreation activities, including: Yoga and fitness programming, walking club and movement-based activities, health and wellness workshops, creative and craft-based workshops.
· Approach recreation as a therapeutic and empowering tool that supports emotional regulation, stress reduction, confidence building, and healthy coping strategies.
· Plan and facilitate structured group activities that promote peer connection and reduce social isolation.
· Organize and facilitate community outings with women in HTH’s anti-human trafficking program, to promote confidence, belonging, and community integration.
· Create specialized recreational and wellness activities for women in HTH’s anti-human trafficking program.
· Support harm reduction programming on-site
· Coordinate and oversee the organization’s Buyers Club, ensuring equitable access to resources that support wellness and daily living.
· Identify emerging wellness needs and themes among participants and adapt programming accordingly.
· Collaborate with internal team members to ensure wellness activities align with broader service plans and participant goals.
· Apply the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) to support participants in identifying strengths, assets, and aspirations.
· Perform problem-solving and decision-making in accordance with policies and procedures, consulting with the Program Supervisor as required.
· Work from an intersectional feminist, trauma-informed, and harm reduction approach in all service delivery.
Community Liaison
· Liaise with other relevant personnel/resources within the agency and the community to enhance recreation and wellness programming
· Build and maintain collaborative relationships with local providers of fitness, wellness, cultural, and recreational services to expand access for participants.
· Foster environments that encourage connection, participation, and community integration.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
· Maintain relevant program data and input into HTH’s data management systems as required
· Track attendance and engagement in wellness and recreational activities.
· Identify barriers to participation and recommend program improvements.
· Ensure adherence to health and safety protocols.
· Contribute to the development of an annual workplan in consultation with the Program Supervisor;
· Other duties as assigned;
TEAM AND AGENCY PARTICIPATION
· Active participation in staff and agency meetings;
· Work collaboratively as a team member in the identification, development and recommendations of changes for improved service delivery;
· Engage in ongoing training in SLF, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed care and anti-trafficking practices.
· Work collaboratively with management, staff and volunteers to ensure effective support and service provision;
· Promote a healthy and respectful workplace;
· Participate in applicable training, supervision and team meetings;
· Practice open, direct, respectful communication;
· Abide by all policies, procedures, rules and regulations of HURONIA TRANSITION HOMES
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
· Post-secondary diploma/degree in Social Work, Feminist or Gender Studies, Mental Health & Addictions, Community Development, or related field.
· Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in trauma-informed wellness, violence against women services, anti-human trafficking or community mental health.
· Experience facilitating group programming and recreational wellness activities.
· First Aid/CPR Certification
· WHMIS
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
· Knowledge of issues and complexities that exist within the violence against women framework;
· Strong counselling and assessment skills;
· Strong understanding of human trafficking, gender-based violence and survivor impacts.
· Knowledge of trauma-informed, and harm reduction practices.
· Familiarity with the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) (or willingness to be trained).
· Skills in group facilitation, psycho-education and wellness programming.
· Ability to work from an intersectional feminist and anti-oppressive framework.
· Strong engagement, rapport-building and motivational skills.
· Crisis intervention and de-escalation capacity.
· Ability to work both independently and within interdisciplinary teams.
· An understanding of, and an ability to work with, diverse women including women from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds;
· Ability to provide information, support, practical assistance, safety planning, resources, referrals and advocacy for women as needed;
· Solid problem solving and conflict resolution skills;
· Excellent organizational and time management skills;
· Excellent oral and written communication skills;
· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and an ability to learn to operate the organization’s database;
Working Conditions/Requirements
· Office environment but may include non-standard workplaces
· Flexibility to work evenings, weekend and overtime/flex hours to accommodate position activities and requirements
· Reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurance
· Ability to sit or stand for varying periods of time
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Teamwork:
· Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other members of the organization; demonstrate the ability to cooperate in achieving organizational goals and work
objectives; share information and communicate effectively with team members; use effective conflict resolution skills.
Service Delivery:
· Recognize, meet, and effectively communicate regarding the unique service needs of individual women and children in service; role model and mentor others to develop the ability to apply a woman-centred approach to service delivery which demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s mission, beliefs and aims, anti-racist/anti-oppression/harm reduction framework.
Policy, Procedure and Process Adherence:
· Thoroughly understand and apply appropriate organizational and operational policies, principles, procedures, methodologies, rules, guidelines and interpretations in all aspects of daily work.
Judgment/Decision Making:
· Demonstrate ability to analyze relevant information and evaluate alternate courses of action within scope of position; anticipate consequences and assume responsibility for actions taken.
Adaptability/Innovation:
· Demonstrate initiative to respond effectively to challenges and responsibilities; demonstrate flexibility when considering concepts, ideas and work practice; able to initiate new ideas and recommend innovative methods, processes and strategies.
Listening, Understanding and Responding
· Demonstrate the ability to practice active listening; to understand scenarios as they occur, and to respond appropriately when interacting with individuals and groups; liaise effectively and respectfully with team, supervisors, co-workers, service users and the general public.
Achieving Results:
· Able to achieve or surpass identified goals with appropriate use of supervision; consistently produce quality work by establishing priorities, implementing, monitoring and adjusting in order to meet objective and deadlines.
Technological Competence:
· Appropriately and efficiently use office equipment; use technology with fluency and ease; resolve routine problems without assistance; learn new technologies quickly and adapt to change easily; comply with computer and equipment use policy.
Intersectional Feminist Analysis:
· Provide all services and supports using an intersectional feminist approach which recognizes that social norms are set by the dominant social groups, and work towards dismantling those norms; recognize women’s individual and unique social locations and experiences of oppression; understand identities of gender, sex, sexual orientation, class, race, ethnicity, religion or spirituality, immigration status, and ability; understand the complexity of these identities, and connect these social locations to the multi-layered experiences of power, privilege and oppression, and how various social norms give or diminish power; Understand how oppression contributes to systemic injustice and social inequality; demonstrate a strong understanding of all forms of gender-based violence; demonstrate a commitment to continuing education as it relates to feminism and violence against women.
Work Within a Harm Reduction Philosophy:
· Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of harm reduction principles as an evidence-based framework; understand use, effects and impacts of substances and able to communicate both practical and functional aspects of harm reduction practices to the women we serve; meet women “where they are at” with a non-judgmental approach; demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning in regards to trends, strategies, legislation etc.
In keeping with our commitment to represent all our communities, Indigenous women, francophone women, queer-identified and racialized women are especially encouraged to apply.
AI disclosure: We do not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making tools at any stage of the candidate screening, evaluation, or selection process. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers.
Vacancy status: This is a new position in the organization.
Please submit your up-to-date resumé, as well as a cover letter highlighting your experience, to:
Veronica Pena
vpena@rosewood.on.ca
P.O. Box 54
Midland, ON L4R 4K6
Fax: 705-526-0343