Mobile Crisis Worker, Indigenous Specialist

The Role and Opportunity  

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Toronto is looking for a Mobile Crisis Worker, Indigenous Specialist for the Toronto Community Crisis Support (TCCS) Services Program. This service provides 24/7 support to people experiencing a mental health and/or addiction crisis in northwest Toronto.  This program is part of a City of Toronto police reform initiative that is evaluating the effectiveness and impact of non-police-led responses to people experiencing non-emergency crises.  This program aims to reduce the harms experienced by people who have mental health and addictions challenges as well as Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ2+ and other marginalized individuals.  The TCCS Program is governed in partnership with a Collaborative which includes the following organizations:  

• Addiction Services Central Ontario  

• Black Creek Community Health Centre  

• Black Health Alliance  

• Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto  

• Caribbean African Canadian Social Services  

• Jane Finch Centre  

• Rexdale Community Health Centre  

• Yorktown Family Services  

Hourly Rate: $31.83 – $34.77  

Schedule: 36 hours per week; 3 days on and 4 days off (7am to 7pm or 7pm to 7am on a rotational basis)  

Please send you resume to bdeleon@cmhato.org

About CMHA Toronto 

CMHA Toronto is the city’s leading community mental health agency. We provide accessible, quality care for Toronto residents through programs, research and advocacy that create belonging and hope. At CMHA Toronto, we take a client-first, recovery-oriented approach to supporting people and their families when they experience mental health challenges or live with mental illness. By integrating health and social care, we provide services that aid in long-term wellness including housing, employment, community connections and so much more. Our goal? Help everyone thrive in the community. 

Responsibilities 

The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will be part of a multi-disciplinary Mobile Crisis Response Team, which will provide crisis response 24 hours a day, 7 hours a week. This team is a multidisciplinary team of community crisis specialists that may include nurses, peer specialists, mental health clinicians, and concurrent disorders specialists that have experience working with marginalized communities. The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will incorporate experiences in crisis assessment and intervention, de-escalation, harm reduction, suicide prevention, anti-oppressive practice, client-centered and recovery-oriented care, trauma-informed care, and culturally competent care that includes holistic healing (the four directions: Body, Mind, Spirit, Emotions) and have connections to the ceremony and community to support individuals and families experiencing a crisis in the northwest area of Toronto. The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will help to create culturally-specific treatment plans, coordinate support for Indigenous individuals that may include coordination of culturally-specific support and related services that reduces colonial harm. 

Reporting to the Senior Manager, the Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will work within the context of CMHA’s mission and strategic directions.  

The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will exercise sound judgement to employ de-escalation strategies and provide suicide and risk assessments and interventions. The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will have excellent clinical assessment skills to develop safety and support plans to address immediate, intermediate and long-range needs.  The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will work collaboratively with the person, their family, and other community supports that include Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Aunties, Zhishay’s to facilitate access to community resources as needed.  

The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will participate in community outreach and liaison with key stakeholders and partners and maintain trusting, respectful and collaborative relationships with clients, families, colleagues, referral sources, service providers and the public.      

The Indigenous Mobile Crisis Worker will maintain accurate and timely clinical and non-clinical records and actively participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating the Northwest Toronto Community Crisis Service through meetings, training, strategic planning and evaluation initiatives.    

Skills You Bring 

The ideal candidate will have at minimum have an Undergraduate Degree/Diploma in Social Work/Social Services or an equivalent. The candidate will have a minimum of two years of community mental health and addictions experience with a strong knowledge of clinical and crisis assessments, concurrent disorders, homelessness, crisis intervention strategies, Trauma-Informed Care service delivery and strengths-based models. The candidate will have demonstrated skill in client-centred and recovery-oriented care. The candidate will also bring their lived experience within the Indigenous community/culture including familiarity and knowledge of Indigenous traditions, ceremonies and values. 

The candidate will bring an understanding and knowledge of working with persons with mental health and/or addictions issues as well as an understanding of the intersectionality of systemic barriers and social determinants of health. The candidate will require strong knowledge of systemic and structural factors (SDoMH) that impact Black, Indigenous, racialized and LGBTQ2S+ communities. The candidate will have knowledge and/or experience of community services in the northwest Toronto area including Black Creek, Downsview, Rexdale, and Humber neighbourhoods.  

The candidate will possess excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills and the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.  The candidate will have proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. The candidate must be able to work shifts that include overnight, weekends and holidays.  Fluency in a second language and experience working with diverse communities is considered an asset. A valid Driver’s Licence is required.  

Why Choose CMHA Toronto?  

If you care about mental illness and mental health and you have the right skills, then CMHA Toronto may be the place for you. We have a positive and fair workplace culture, where staff are provided with opportunities for learning and advancement. 

Our benefits include: 

• Health Care of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), a predictable, secure monthly income upon retirement  

• Comprehensive Group Health Insurance – Health, Dental, Vision, Paramedicals  

• Short-term and Long-term Disability programs and life insurance to protect your income upon illness or injury  

• Work-life balance and flexibility – to ensure you have time for the things that matter to you  

• Annual Professional Development Funding for career learning and advancement  

• Work with like-minded, passionate individuals and make an impact on mental health service delivery  

• Build genuine and authentic connections, with colleagues and clients, with the goal of making a difference  

CMHA Toronto is an award-winning workplace committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, empathy, and accountability. Our staff value the flexibility in work schedules, the emphasis on work-life balance, and the organization's commitment to continuous learning through training and development opportunities. Many employees highlight the strong sense of community and support that make CMHA Toronto feel like more than just a workplace—it feels like a family. 

As an equity-informed employer, CMHA Toronto reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage applications from equity-deserving candidates, including Black, Indigenous, and racialized individuals, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and women. We recognize and honour the intersectionality of equity-based identities. Personal experience with mental health challenges, whether firsthand or through a loved one, is considered an asset. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please inform us before the interview if you require an accommodation. 

To be eligible for this role candidates will be required to adhere to our COVID-19 policy and provide proof of vaccination.  

CMHA Toronto thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.