Registered Social Worker with Counselling Experience
Kamloops Out Of The Cold Society (OOTC)
Program: Shelter and Support Services
Location: Kamloops, BC
Employment Status: Part-Time, 6-Month Contract
Hours: 24 hours per week with potential option for full-time, 4:00PM-12:00MN three times a week
Reports to: Executive Director
About OOTC
Kamloops Out Of The Cold Society (OOTC) provides shelter and support to individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability in our community.
We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect. Our approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive and grounded in harm reduction.
Position Summary
OOTC is seeking a compassionate and experienced Registered Social Worker (RSW) to provide counselling and psychosocial support to individuals accessing our shelter and support services.
The Social Worker / Counsellor will provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space where individuals can talk about the challenges they are facing and work toward their own goals.
Individuals accessing our services may be experiencing trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, grief and loss, family disconnection, poverty, housing instability, social isolation or other complex life circumstances.
This is a relationship-based position. We are looking for someone who understands that building trust and showing genuine compassion can be an important part of helping someone move forward.
The Social Worker / Counsellor will work collaboratively with OOTC Case Managers, who will remain responsible for service navigation, referrals and connections to community resources.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide individual counselling and emotional support within the scope of professional practice.
- Build trusting, respectful and non-judgmental relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Provide trauma-informed support related to mental health, grief, loss, trauma, relationships, substance use and significant life challenges.
- Assess psychosocial needs and work collaboratively with individuals to identify goals, strengths and coping strategies.
- Provide support during difficult or crisis situations and recognize when additional professional, medical or emergency intervention may be required.
- Develop safety and support plans when appropriate and within professional scope.
- Work collaboratively with Case Managers to support individuals' overall well-being and continuity of care.
- Collaborate with shelter staff, Case Managers, health-care providers and other professionals involved in an individual's support.
- Provide consultation to Case Managers and shelter staff regarding psychosocial needs and appropriate support approaches, within the scope of professional practice.
- Support individuals through difficult life transitions and changes in circumstances.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, informed consent and documentation.
- Facilitate group or educational programming when appropriate and within the individual's professional expertise.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for someone who has both professional knowledge and a genuine heart for people.
The successful candidate will be:
- Compassionate, patient and non-judgmental.
- An excellent listener and communicator.
- Comfortable building relationships with individuals who may be hesitant to engage with support services.
- Comfortable working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, trauma and other complex circumstances.
- Able to remain calm and supportive during difficult or emotionally intense situations.
- Respectful of individual choices, autonomy and dignity.
- Comfortable working in a shelter environment rather than a traditional office setting.
- Able to maintain professional boundaries while developing meaningful helping relationships.
- Collaborative and able to work effectively with Case Managers and the broader OOTC team.
- Someone who understands that meaningful change can take time.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) from a recognized educational institution.
- Current registration and good standing with the British Columbia College of Social Workers (BCCSW) as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
- Education, training and/or supervised experience in counselling or related therapeutic practice.
- Experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use or other complex psychosocial circumstances.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed and harm-reduction approaches.
- Strong understanding of professional boundaries, confidentiality, informed consent and ethical practice.
- Ability to work effectively in a low-barrier shelter environment.
Assets
- Master of Social Work (MSW).
- Registered Clinical Social Worker (RCSW) designation.
- Additional counselling or psychotherapy training.
- Experience working in shelters, supportive housing, outreach, community mental health, addictions, corrections or other non-traditional settings.
- Training in crisis intervention, suicide-risk assessment or safety planning.
- Experience supporting individuals experiencing concurrent mental health and substance-use challenges.
- Training or experience in Indigenous cultural safety and trauma-informed practice.
- Knowledge of Kamloops community services and resources.
Indigenous Cultural Safety
OOTC is committed to providing respectful and culturally safe services.
The Social Worker / Counsellor will provide culturally respectful and responsive support, recognize the impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma and systemic barriers, and support individuals in connecting with cultural and wellness resources when desired.
Our Approach
At OOTC, counselling should not require someone to first become “ready for counselling.”
We meet people where they are.
Homelessness is rarely just a housing issue. Trauma, grief, mental health, substance use, poverty, institutionalization, relationship loss and disconnection can all play a role.
The goal is not simply to provide counselling sessions. It is to build a consistent, trusting relationship that helps individuals feel supported, identify their strengths, and take steps toward their own goals.
Sometimes support means counselling.
Sometimes it means listening.
Sometimes it means helping someone work through a difficult situation.
And sometimes it means simply being there and reminding someone that they matter.
We are looking for someone who understands the importance of all of these things.
What We Offer
- Meaningful work directly supporting individuals experiencing homelessness.
- A compassionate and collaborative team environment.
- The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with people in our community.
- A role that allows you to help strengthen counselling and support services within OOTC.
- Part-time hours with a 6-month contract.
- Potential for extension based on funding and program needs.
How to Apply
Please submit:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Confirmation of current BCCSW registration
- Relevant counselling or professional training, if applicable
As part of your cover letter, please answer:
“Why do you want to work with individuals experiencing homelessness, and what does meeting someone where they are mean to you?”
We are particularly interested in applicants who bring both professional expertise and genuine compassion for people.
Kamloops Out Of The Cold Society is committed to creating a respectful, inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $42.00-$46.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
