The Shelter
Ernestine’s is an emergency shelter for women and their children escaping violence. The shelter opened in 1983 and since that time has assisted over 15,000 women and children with critical immediate care services. In addition to being recognized as a community leader in the fight to end violence against women and children, Ernestine’s is a feminist organization and operates from an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework.
Ernestine’s adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We encourage applicants from women of all races, ethnic origins, religions, ages, abilities and sexual orientations. Women with second languages and abilities are encouraged to apply for employment at Ernestine’s.
Current Opportunities
Finance and Payroll Officer
Stand up for Survivors! Support Children!
Do you want to bring your strong finance and payroll skills to a small, highly-effective organization with a 30-year history of supporting individuals and children fleeing violence and abuse?
We are seeking a Finance and Payroll Officer to report directly to the Finance Manager who will bring their proven accounting and payroll expertise to our team.
Key Responsibilities
• Maintain up to date General Ledger details and manage the daily transactions including AR, AP, payroll, journal entries, etc. using QuickBooks.
• Collaborate with all program areas as direct support in the development and tracking of project and program budgets to ensure budgets are complete, accurate and adhered to.
• Support monthly accounts reconciliation and month-end closing to assist the Finance Manager to generate financial statements and reports
• Process semi-monthly payroll run in-house ADP TeamPay for approximately 35 employees, and prepare the payroll journal entry in QuickBooks.
• Responsible for updating employees information in ADP, and distributing T4 to employees at the year end
• Process and issue Records of Employment (ROEs) within required deadlines and submit to government authorities.
• Respond to payroll questions or requests for information from management, Human Resources or employees.
• Take care of weekly bank deposit and cash out, and pick up mails from Canada Post
• Maintain an orderly hard- and softcopy filing system for all finance-related documents
• Prepare and remit HST Rebate applications semi-annually
• Support annual year-end audit and liaise with the external auditors as directed
Key Qualifications
• Advanced level knowledge of accounting concepts, techniques and principles required
• Demonstrated knowledge of QuickBooks and comfortable with complex budgets.
• Familiar with Canadian charitable accounting standards and requirements
• Working knowledge and understanding of accounts receivable/payable processes and practices; journal entries; accounts reconciliations, HST Rebates, etc.
• Working knowledge of Canada Payroll Association requirements and standards and payroll best practices.
• Comfortable with the Microsoft Office Suite, including manipulating reports exported from QuickBooks and ez-Labour Management (or other similar software) into Excel.
Job Types: Full-time, Contract with flexible schedule of 35 hours per week
Salary: $60,000 – $62,000 prorated to term of contract
How to Apply
If you think you’re the person for this job, send your resume and a cover letter outlining how your experience and outlook match the position. Please reference the position title in the subject line and send it to humanresources@ernestines.ca.
Ernestine’s promotes the principles of anti-racist/ anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Ernestine’s is committed to inclusion and equity principles; we encourage all women, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary individuals to apply, including racialized, Indigenous and individuals with disabilities to apply. All employees must provide proof of vaccination and a clear vulnerable sector screen. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation.
No telephone enquiries please.
Deadline for applications is February 15th, 2023.
Housing and Legal Counselor (Permanent Part-time)
Ernestine’s Shelter is an organization that provides support and shelter for women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals, youth and children experiencing violence. Within a solidarity model, Ernestine’s acknowledges the multitude of issues facing survivors of abuse and provides crisis intervention and a range of holistic services.
The Housing and Legal Counselor will bring strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, and a proven ability to advocate effectively. The Housing and Legal Counselor will possess solid understanding of the Gender Based Violence Sector, Housing Connections Special Priority Program, Criminal Injury Compensation Applications, Victim Impact Statements, Child Protection legislation, Legal system and the systemic barriers experienced by racialized and marginalized individuals.
This position is responsible for providing Legal & Housing resources and support to clients residing in the shelter. Specifically, this position will complete regional subsidized housing applications or applications to supportive housing programs; coordinate clients moving out of shelter; complete referrals to Furniture Bank and other similar community resources. This position will also complete lawyer referrals and legal-aid certificate applications; provide advocacy support related to family court matters, custody and access; provide advocacy support related to criminal court matters; and accompaniment support to court appointments.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Case Management
* Provide one-on-one client support and case management, specifically as it relates to housing and legal needs.
* Complete intake for clients within the first week at the shelter to asses their housing and/or legal needs.Provide supportive counselling, community engagement and capacity building to support individuals accessing services and on-going support and advocacy with external services to ensure continuum of care, from crisis stabilization to transition out of shelter.
* Provide information and referrals to external programs and services such as lawyers and community resources, including warm referrals.
* Actively participate in case management meetings and case conferences with internal and external teams to support client needs.
* Create and implement case management plans and goals that are client-centered and based on their individual needs.
* Provide overdose prevention and response, education and information for safer drug use/safer sex supplies; provide harm reduction supplies and supports to clients.
* Proficient in fostering and maintaining a trauma-informed approach and harm reduction framework in work with clients.
Housing Support
* Assist clients to search private market housing and submit private market rental applications.
* Assist clients to complete housing applications and any other related housing documentation/forms.
* Prepare clients with required documentation and process for housing interviews/appointments and/or accompany clients to support lease signings and other housing related issues.
* Assist and support clients to prepare for lease signing, secure income assistance if necessary, assist with applications, deposits, setting up utilities, etc.
* Know and be conversant in the Residential Tenancies Act, specifically in areas on non-payment of rent and breach of obligations under the RTA and the tenancy agreement.
Legal Support
* Assist clients with family and criminal legal matters.
* Assist clients with legal aid applications and interviews.
* Provide accompaniments to legal appointments and court appearances; arrange for interpreters as needed for appointments and court dates.
Programming and Community Networking
* Research, develop, and facilitate workshops and/or connect with community partners to deliver workshops to shelter clients on including topics such as housing, legal, financial literacy and life skills.
* Develop and implement awareness building education on housing and legal issues for gender-based violence survivors for targeted audiences including external community partners and networks as needed.
* Under the direction of the Supervisor, Programs and Client Services, identify and participate in community committees, networks and initiatives that address systemic issues related to housing and legal issues for survivors of gender-based violence.
* Keep current of trends related to housing and legal, community resources and developments in the gender-based violence sector by participating in workshops, conferences, and continued professional development.
QUALIFICATIONS
* A minimum three years’ experience working in a counselling capacity with women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals and children who have experienced sexual abuse and/or violence in relationships;
* Post-secondary education and previous front-line shelter work is required;
* Thorough knowledge of social services, housing, and legal aid systems.
* Experience and training in working from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework, Trauma-Informed care, mental health recovery model and harm reduction framework;
* Demonstrated crisis intervention, risk assessment and management and case management skills;
* Knowledge of the impact of systemic marginalization on women and children, including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and dis/ability;
* Demonstrated competencies in communication, innovation, creative problem-solving, flexibility and adaptability, accountability and strategic and collaborative thinking;
* Demonstrated organizational ability and time management skills to handle caseload requirements, set priorities, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation;
* Experience working within a diverse work setting and with a diverse client population;
* Excellent professional & empathetic communication and conflict management skills;
* Flexibility to adapt to client’s immediate needs effectively;
* Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team in a collaborative environment;
* Intermediate computer skills, including knowledge of the WISH Database an asset;
* Fluency in a second language considered an asset. The hours of work are 21 hours a week Wednesday to Friday, but may vary as needed (this may include evenings and weekends). Please note: The successful candidate prior to hiring requires a vulnerable check, proof of vaccination and CPR. Submit your cover letter and résumé by February 24, 2023 by 5pm. Email: anna@ernestines.ca Ernestine’s promotes the principles of anti-racist/ anti-oppression and adheres to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Ernestine’s is committed to inclusion and equity principles; we encourage all women, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, trans and non-binary individuals to apply, including racialized, indigenous and individuals with disabilities to apply. Ernestine’s provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted, please advise us if you require any accommodation. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone enquiries please.