INDIVDUAL SUPPORT WORKER (ISW)

Four (4) Bargaining Unit, Temporary Full-Time Positions until March 31, 2026. These ISWs will be expected to perform their duties through scheduled outreach visits with service users. As such daily travel will be involved.

• Position 1 - will be based in North York and the successful candidate will require access to a vehicle to carry out their duties
• Position 2 - will be based in Scarborough and the successful candidate will require access to a vehicle to carry out their duties
• Position 3 - will be based in Toronto's Downtown East and East York areas and does not require access to a vehicle to carry out their duties (e.g., TTC may be used as an alternative)
• Position 4 - will be based in Toronto's Downtown West and South Etobicoke areas and does not require access to a vehicle to carry out their duties (e.g., TTC may be used as an alternative)

Please specify which position/geography you are applying for

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Compensation: $23.11/hour - $25.62/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at  https://inspires.ca/cota

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Individual Support Worker is responsible for providing Recovery Oriented services to Cota's service users in a manner consistent with Cota's Mission, Vision and Values.

These four Individual Support Worker (ISW) positions are being added to our Integrated Service Teams (ISTs), as pilot initiative to March 31, 2026, to provide additional 1:1 support  to some of our service users.

About Our Integrated Service Teams

Cota’s Integrated Service Teams (ISTs) are  multidisciplinary teams comprised of Case Managers who have expertise in areas such as, but not necessarily limited to,  Acquired Brain Injuries, Mental Health, Dual Diagnosis, Geriatric Mental Health and Addictions.

We presently have four ISTs operating across Toronto, as follows

• A Toronto West Integrated Service Team (TW-IST)
• An East Toronto Integrated Service Team (TE-IST)
• A North York Integrated Service Team (NY-IST)
• A Scarborough Integrated Service Team (Scarb-IST)

Specific ISW Responsibilities:

The Individual Support Worker's responsibilities are primarily focused on providing instructional coaching, guidance, support and assistance to individuals enrolled in a Cota program or service.

The Individual Support Worker's duties may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:

• Assisting with the Development of Client Support/Goal Plans:
  • Providing input into assigned service users' Support/Goal Plan
  • Sharing responsibility with the team for implementing supports that assist service users in pursuing/achieving their goals
  • Playing a primary role in supporting service users with Activities of Daily Living

• Providing Direct 1:1 Support to Service Users in Relation to Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as:
  • Establishing and/or maintaining personal hygiene routines
  • Assisting with laundry routines
  • Maintaining and/or cleaning the service users' units/rooms
  • Assisting service users with menu planning, grocery shopping and/or cooking
  • Supporting service users with community integration activities
  • Attending medical appointments
  • Supporting service users in managing behavioural challenges
  • Supporting service users with medication administration, if required, but only after receiving the appropriate training
  • Other supports with ADLs as identified by the Supervisor and/or Manager

• Documentation and Data entry:
  • Documents of all service user contacts/interactions in the appropriate service user chart according to Cota's documentation guidelines
  • Enters data relating to service user interactions into Cota's database system according to data collection guidelines
  • Assists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the Supervisor and/or Team

• Supporting the Maintenance of Safe/Clean Environment:
  • Directly assists with maintaining the site in a clean and orderly state. This may involve:
    • Cleaning/setting up vacant service users'/tenants' units to prepare them for occupancy as scheduled, or, as required
    • Cleaning common areas such as common rooms/lounges, common kitchen, building exterior space area as scheduled, or, as required
    • Assisting with any pest control/eradication efforts, as required
    • Continually assessing the environment for safety and security issues and recommending action to address any deficiencies

• Participating in Team Meetings/Events:
  • Provides input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planning
  • Supports other activities with the team, including planned outings and group activities

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintains current certification and/or up-to-date training in identified "Required Training" areas for MH&CS Division Service providers
• Observes Cota rules and regulations, policies, procedures, practices and current legislation, in particular, the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Complies with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and service users, and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly
• Works cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with service users, team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders
• Ensures that the confidentiality of service users, employees and Cota information is always maintained
• Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Education

• Certificate in a relevant field, such as a PSW or Health Care Aide. Higher level post-secondary education is considered an asset

Experience

• Relevant experience in assisting service users with personal care, activities of daily living, and household management
• Direct or transferable experience suitable for working effectively with the relevant target population

Knowledge & Skills

• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Basic computer literacy (Word, E-mail, Internet)
• Good judgment and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others
• Consistent/reliable and flexible
• Ability to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practices
• Demonstrated user-centred and customer focused approach
• Ability to solve problems and make recommendations to resolve issues. Effective team player
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions

Application Details:

Please complete the application below before June 3, 2025 at 4:00pm.

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

 Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

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Hope, respect, dedication, equity, accountability, teamwork, and innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca