The Thunder Bay Shelter Village is a City of Thunder Bay funded Modular Bridge Housing initiative supporting the City’s broader encampment response and community safety objectives. The Village is a temporary program, with operating funding approved for a 5-year period, while longer-term housing solutions continue to be expanded across the community.
Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Village will provide structured, low-barrier accommodation with on-site staffing, security, and clear operational policies. The program prioritizes safety, dignity, and respectful use of shared space, while supporting access to existing housing, health, and social services through collaboration with community partners.
The Village is not a long-term housing or clinical facility. Its purpose is to offer stability and structure during a transitional period, while helping reduce the health and safety risks associated with unsheltered living and unmanaged encampments for residents, staff, and the surrounding community.
Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc. is acting as the Third-Party Operator for the Thunder Bay Shelter Village. In this role, Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc. is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Village, including staffing, site operations, property management, and service coordination, in accordance with the City’s approved service model and oversight requirements.
This is a unique opportunity to join a growing team at the earliest stages of a new initiative. Staff will play a meaningful role in helping establish day-to-day operations, practices, and workplace culture as the Village is implemented. We are recruiting for our operational team to start in May 2026 with an anticipated opening in Spring.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Program Supervisor, the Community Support Worker Lead provides on-shift leadership while delivering direct and consistent on-site support to residents of the Thunder Bay Shelter Village. Working within a low-barrier, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction framework, the Community Support Worker Lead supports the safe, respectful, and orderly operation of the Village by modeling best practices, supporting staff coordination, and assisting with on-shift decision-making in accordance with established policies and procedures. This role operates in a 24/7 living environment and requires comfort working with individuals experiencing complex health, social, and housing challenges.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the on-shift lead for Community Support Workers, providing guidance, coordination, and support as needed
- Assist the Program Supervisor with scheduling and shift coordination, including supporting coverage during absences or high-demand periods, as directed
- Support consistent application of policies and procedures by on-shift staff
- Provide day-to-day, non-clinical support to residents in a respectful and trauma-informed manner
- Respond to resident questions, concerns, and requests for assistance
- Identify and respond to potential safety concerns, escalating issues as required
- Support de-escalation of conflicts and disturbances using approved techniques
- Work collaboratively with on-site security staff during incidents or emergencies
- Encourage safer use practices and appropriate use of emergency alert systems
- Support the orderly operation of the Village during assigned shifts
- Assist with maintaining cleanliness of common areas and reporting maintenance needs
- Coordinate on-shift kitchen operations, including meal preparation, service, and clean-up, in accordance with food safety and site procedures
- Ensure meal schedules are followed and appropriate staffing coverage is in place during meal times
- Monitor basic supply needs, and report issues as required
- Cleaning of washrooms, common areas, and units, as required
- Coordinate unit turnover activities, including cleaning, basic reset, and readiness for new resident occupancy
- Support resident move-in and move-out processes, including unit checks and required documentation
- Manage keys and unit access during shifts in accordance with established procedures
- Ensure units are safe, clean, and appropriately prepared prior to resident occupancy
- Complete shift logs, incident reports, and other required documentation accurately and in a timely manner
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support effective program operations
Education/Experience
- Post-secondary diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Social Services, Human Services, Addictions, Mental Health, or a related field and/or a combination of education, training, and relevant lived or living experience that is deemed equivalent
- Minimum 2 years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, mental health challenges, substance use, or other complex social or systemic barriers, in a front-line or community-based support role
Skills/Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to take on a lead role within a team
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm and professional during challenging situations
- Ability to engage respectfully with individuals from diverse socio-economic, racialized populations, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with a focus on empathy and professionalism.
- Demonstrated ability to remain calm, professional, and respectful in challenging or high-stress situations
- Understanding of trauma-informed, low-barrier, and harm-reduction principles
- Self-starter with proven organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- Independent judgment when dealing with confidential or sensitive issues
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Proficiency in maintaining records and documentation.
- Must be at a basic skill level in keyboarding, word processing, and spreadsheet software
Assets
- Experience working in shelters, supportive housing, outreach, or other congregate living or community-based support settings
- Training in de-escalation and crisis intervention (e.g., NVCI), or willingness to be trained (training provided)
- Valid First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain(training provided)
- Knowledge of local community resources, housing systems, and social services
- Previous Supervisory or management experience.
- A valid Class “G” Ontario Driver’s Licence, or equivalent
Conditions of Employment
- Must be available to work rotating shifts, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays
- Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-needs environment
- Must have the ability to perform physical tasks for extended periods, including cleaning and food preparation
- Must have or obtain, First Aid, CPR certification
- Must have or obtain Food Handler certification prior to undertaking food handling-related tasks
- Must have or obtain, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification
- Must undergo a successful Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC)
- Must sign and abide by Employee Confidentiality Statement
General Information
As an equal opportunity employer, Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc., encourages applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority groups, women and members of 2SLGBTQ+ community.
ONTARIO HUMAN RIGHTS CODE: It is a contravention of the Human Rights Code of Ontario to discriminate on the basis of: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, age, record of offences, gender identity or gender expression. Therefore, a submitted resume must not include references to any of the above characteristics. Do not include:
- Photos
- Any certificates that have photo identification
- Driver’s licences
- Police records checks
Note: The above documentation may be requested if you are the successful applicant. If a Criminal Record Check is required, it will be requested at that time. Please do not submit your Criminal Record Check with your application.
ACCOMMODATION: Reasonable accommodations are available upon request for all parts of the recruitment process.
POLICE RECORDS CHECK: Demetrakopoulos Enterprises Inc. handles Police Record Checks (PRCs) carefully and keeps all information confidential. The process checks for criminal charges, court orders, convictions, and professional misconduct, and only reviews information that is directly related to the job. Having a record doesn't automatically disqualify a candidate. Individual consideration is given with each situation, against established job-related criteria, to make fair decisions
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
