JOB TITLE: Casual Community & Shelter Support Worker
PROGRAM(S): Supportive Housing & Shelters
SALARY RANGE: Grid 33 – HEU – Community Subsector
HOURS OF HOURS: Preference for evening & overnight availability
Shifts are available on all days of the week, at the following times:
- Days - | 07:30-15:30 | 08:00-16:00 |
- Evenings - | 15:30-23:30 | 16:00-00:00 | 19:45 - 23:45
- Overnights - | 23:30-07:30 | 00:00-08:00 |
DESCRIPTION
The Community & Shelter Support Workers provided a range of supports, serving homeless/at risk individuals. Services include a bed, food, and general support of clients who may be facing complex bio-psycho-social issues. The Community & Shelter Support Workers are also responsible for the daily operations of the facility including: intaking new participants into the program; food service; updating client records; communicating effectively with clients and other staff; and maintaining a clean, safe, and secure environment for staff and clients by participating in regular and timely buliding checks. The Community & Shelter Support Workers will coordinate with the Outreach Team and maintain communication between shifts about participant’s housing plans. The low-barrier approach of the site will require excellent and flexible engagement skills. The Community & Shelter Support Workers actively participate in building a skilled, cohesive, collaborative staff team, including demonstrating commitment to program principles; resolving conflict and negativity as they arise; assisting in orienting, training and mentoring of all staff, including casuals and peer supports. Flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the clients & mandate of the program.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Diploma/Certificate in Social Services, Health Care, or any other related discipline with:
- 2 years related experience with emphasis on mental health, substance use, homelessness and/or social services
- Naloxone Training
- Provincial Violence Prevention Training is considered an asset.
- Knowledgeable about various mental health conditions, including Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, De-colonized harm reduction, Mental health first aid, Trauma-Informed care and suicide prevention training is an asset.
- Successful clearance of a criminal record check.
An equivalent combination of education and experience, including lived experience, may be considered.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Providing Services for clients, including a bed, food, and general support of guests who may be facing complex bio-psycho-social issues.
- Responsible for the daily operations of the facility, intaking new participants into the program, updating client records; communicating effectively with clients and other staff and serving clients with a dignified trauma-informed lens.
- Coordinating with the outreach team and maintaining communication between shifts about participant’s housing plans, connecting them to resources such as the ministry, CRA, medical services, ID retrieval, iHart.
- Reading the daily team communication log at the start of each shift and writing notes if needed by the end of each shift.
- Re-stocking supplies, carrying and sorting donations and orders.
- Assisting in the de-escalation of clients who are in crisis, contacting emergency services (RCMP, Fire, Ambulance) immediately in life-threatening situations such as major illness or injury and following emergency team direction for action.
- Observing and monitoring clients and their environment each shift and reporting physical, cognitive, or behavioural changes to supervisors.
- Distributing harm reduction and hygiene supplies.
- Encouraging & motivating clients through trust building, sharing, and companionship.
- Recording and reporting all accidents/incidents to the shift supervisor, which include injury and near injury.
- Identifying and reporting all potential safety hazards such as faulty equipment, wet floor, light bulb replacement etc.
- Cleaning and maintaining the working area by means of sweeping, washing, vacuuming and emptying garbage/recycling bin, assisting in cleaning up bodily fluids, including blood, urine, feces & vomit by upholding the health and safety protocols.
- Monitoring one's own level of transfer trauma from working with clients, as well as working with team members to support each other during times of crisis, and help promote self-care to prevent burnout.
- Assisting in all organizational changes (ex. building moves, program relocations, etc.), including moving client items and program supplies.
- Attending and participating in staff meetings and trainings
- Other related duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Extensive knowledge and experience in working with marginalized groups of people living with complex mental health conditions and substance use.
- Extensive knowledge in harm reduction and overdose response (Naloxone), as well as knowledgeable about current trends in illicit substances.
- Strong communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
- Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Active listening and the ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
- Outstanding patience, tolerance, and anger control.
- Ability to identify effective methods of behaviour control and compensatory strategies.
- Ability to follow directions and instructions.
- Emotional resilience and compassion.
- Positive and friendly attitude.
***Keeping in line with our mandate of a low-barrier approach, all of our sites are animal-friendly***
Job Type: Casual
Pay: $33.46 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Keeping in line with our mandate of a low barrier approach, all of our sites are animal friendly. Are you comfortable with this?
- Are you available to work evenings & overnights shifts?
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Work Location: In person
