Career Opportunity

Position Title: Receptionist

Classification: Administrative assistant

Job Type: Casual

Direction: Corporate services

Location: 55 Eccles Street

Reporting to: Office administrator - Corporate services

Compensation: $25.47 – $30.05 Per Hour + other benefits

Deadline to apply: November 15 , 2026, by 5:00am

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About us

We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who experience vulnerabilities because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.

SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.

What You’ll Do

As the first point of contact at the Centre, you will welcome clients, visitors, and staff in person and by telephone, provide information about SWCHC and its services, and help people find the support they need. You will help maintain a welcoming, safe, and low-barrier reception environment, respond to challenging situations with support from appropriate staff, and follow established emergency procedures. You will also coordinate reception-related activities, including room booking schedules, visitor parking, van records, and the safekeeping of designated equipment and sensitive items, while providing general administrative support.

As part of the team, you will participate in Centre activities, contribute to policies, procedures, and strategic priorities, maintain your professional skills, and comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

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What We’re Looking For

Work Experience

- Three to five years of experience in reception, administrative support, or a related role.
- Experience working with marginalized communities in grassroots or community-based settings, such as drop-in programs.
- Experience using telephone systems, Microsoft Office applications, and data entry tools.




- Experience working with people experiencing mental health or substance use challenges is an asset

Your Education Path

- High school diploma or equivalent

Required Language
- English and French proficiency, both verbal and written, is required.
- Proficiency in additional languages is an asset

What you bring to the table
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to provide clear, helpful information.
- A warm, respectful, and empathetic approach to client service.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to support people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and needs.
- An understanding of mental health, substance use, and the impacts of colonization, violence, and trauma on marginalized communities.
- The ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and recognize when additional support is needed.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and frequent interruptions in a busy reception environment.
- Attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, organized information.
- Reliability, punctuality, and a cooperative approach to working with others.
- A commitment to equitable, inclusive, and low-barrier access to services

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Your Day-to-Day at a Glance

As our Receptionist, your responsibilities are:

Main Reception

- Greet clients and visitors in a friendly and welcoming manner, identify their needs, and direct them appropriately.
- Answer and direct incoming telephone calls promptly, professionally, and courteously.
- Provide information about SWCHC and its services, and seek assistance from staff when needed.
- Make overhead announcements at the request of managers, directors, and the Maintenance Superintendent.
- Monitor the reception area and main lobby, support clients and visitors in following the Centre’s rules and code of conduct, and provide respectful feedback and redirection when needed.
- Use de-escalation approaches and contact Harm Reduction staff for support when a client situation escalates.




- Initiate established safety and emergency response protocols, including panic button and lockdown procedures, when required.
- Contact 911 when appropriate and notify senior staff.
- Follow established emergency response systems to support staff and client safety.
- Oversee visitor parking registration and enforcement in collaboration with maintenance personnel.

Room Bookings, Van Records, and Security
- Prepare and post daily room booking schedules in designated locations throughout the Centre before 9:00 a.m.
- Maintain and monitor the van log.
- Ensure security guard equipment and van pouches are secured each evening.
- Maintain the security of the master key and other sensitive items.

General Administrative Support
- Sort incoming mail and distribute it to departmental mailboxes.
- Process outgoing mail and maintain the postage meter.
- Receive parcels and courier deliveries and notify the appropriate staff.
- Arrange courier services and priority mail as requested.
- Update the staff directory as required.
- Complete data entry as required.
- Perform other general administrative duties as assigned.

Team and Centre Activities
- Attend team and staff meetings as required.
- Participate in team and Centre committees and special events as required.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the Centre’s policies, procedures, and strategic plan.
- Maintain up-to-date professional skills.
- Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements related to working at the Centre, including occupational health and safety requirements and standards of professional conduct

_________________________________________________________________________________________ Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.

This posting is for a currently vacant position that we intend to fill through this recruitment process.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity seeking groups. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.

We sincerely appreciate your interest in working with us. Due to high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

📌 Receptionist (Ottawa)
🏢 Somerset West Community Health Centre
📍 Ottawa