PERSONAL SUPPORT SERVICE WORKERS (PSSW)

Modular Housing, 11 Macey Avenue

Two (2) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Part-Time Positions

Position 1: Friday-Saturday: 11:00am-7:00pm (15 hours per week)

Position 2: Saturday-Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm (15 hours per week)

Existing Vacancies

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://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking 2 dynamic and innovative individuals 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 Personal Support Service Worker is responsible for providing Recovery Oriented services to Cota clients in a manner consistent with Cota's Mission, Vision and Values.

About the Team

We require 2 experienced Personal Support Service Workers to work as a team member in our Modular Housing program at 11 Macey Avenue. This site is a part of the City’s Phase 1 Modular Housing Initiative. This site provides permanent affordable housing with supports to people who are exiting chronic homelessness.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Personal Support Service Worker (PSSW) is primarily responsible for providing direct assistance to Cota service users in areas such as personal care needs, safe community integration/participation and routine activities of daily living.

The PSSW's duties may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:

Assisting with the Implementation/Carrying Out of Service Users' Support/Goal Plans:

• Provides input into each service user's Support/Goal Plan
• Responsible for implementing personal support services based on Support/Goal Plan
• Assumes a primary role in assisting service users with Personal Support Services
• Liaises regularly with the assigned Primary Workers and applicable Supervisor/Manager, to confirm requirements and plans for personal support services and to ensure accurate and timely provision of those services to service users

Direct Personal Support Provision:

• Provides direct assistance to service users in areas of daily living tasks and personal care (such as feeding, dressing, personal hygiene, toileting, managing medication)
• Provides necessary support required to assist a person with disability to safely access and participate in community activities
• Observes/plans daily living routines, supervises service users, monitors and ensures the personal safety and welfare of individuals
• Assists with service users' laundry routines and the maintaining and/or cleaning of service users' units/rooms
• Accompaniment to medical appointments, where required
• Supporting service users with medication administration, if required, but only after receiving the appropriate training
• May provide other personal support services, within the context of the care/goal plan, as authorized by the applicable Supervisor or Manager

Supports the Maintenance of Safe/Clean Environment:

• Directly assists with maintaining the site in a clean and orderly state, including:
  • Cleaning/setting up vacant tenant units to prepare them for occupancy
  • Cleaning common areas such as common rooms/lounges, common kitchen, and building exterior space area as scheduled, or, as required
• Assists with any pest control/eradication efforts, as required
• Continually assesses the environment for safety and security issues and recommends action to address any deficiencies

Documentation and Data Entry:

• Documents all service users' contacts/interactions in the appropriate service user chart according to Cota's documentation guidelines
• Enters data relating to service users' interactions into Cota's database system according to data collection guidelines
• Assists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the applicable Supervisor or Manager

Other Responsibilities:

• Participates in team meetings and provides input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planning
• Coordinates with the team shift-to-shift planning community outings and group recreational activities
• Adheres to all Cota's policies and procedures and follows established applicable program guidelines, procedures and practices, including all IPAC-related measures in place
• Adheres to all applicable legislation, particularly the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Complies with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure the protection of workers and clients 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 confidentiality of service users, employees and Cota information is always maintained
• Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Education:

• A minimum of High School Diploma required as well as certification as a PSW or Health Care Aide
• Valid Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certificate (CPI), First Aid/CPR Certificate, ASIST and Safe Food Handling Certificate preferred

Experience:

• Previous experience working with the specific target population supported by the recruiting Cota program, will be considered an asset

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to provide personal care (i.e. Toileting, bathing, safe lifts and transfers) and other activities of daily living and household management (i.e. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, community escorts)
• Ability to lift 10-25 lbs.
• Basic computer literacy (Word, E-mail, Internet)
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Good judgment, the ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others
• Effective communication skills to interact with team, case managers, program manager, etc.
• Demonstrated client-centered and customer focused approach
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized groups such as poverty and access issues
• Direct experience providing personal support services to people who have mental health, cognitive and/or substance use challenges is required

Application Details:

Please complete the application below before July 16, 2025 at 4:00pm.

Cota is deeply committed to promoting diversity, advancing equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. We are respectful of each individual's dignity, unique experience, potential and protected rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities that we serve.

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