YWCA Cambridge is looking for Casual Emergency Shelter Workers who are committed to our mission, vision and values and keen to be a part of a supportive environment that helps women move out of homelessness.
Reporting to the Shelter Supervisor, Shelter Workers provide support to women experiencing homelessness in a shelter model designed to provide a safe, warm, supportive space for women and gender-diverse individuals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using an integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive and trauma informed perspective, the Shelter Worker will assess the needs of women and offer supports that include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, brief goal planning, and programming; while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values.
Job Duties:
- Works with women to identify & support their personal goals and objectives; to achieve immediate stabilization and wrap around support needed
- Provision of basic needs, harm reduction supports and support with serving meals as needed
- Liaises with community partners including Emergency Services, Housing Providers, Housing First Programs, hospitals;
- Conducts initial intake, assessments for the woman accessing services;
- Provides crisis intervention and counseling support;
- Works with the Shelter Staff Team to provide a range of social work supports including goal setting, developing safety plans related to violence, addictions and/or mental health, crisis intervention, counselling support and advocacy;
- Offers referrals and assists clients in navigating services and housing in the community;
- Advocates on behalf of women;
- Data collection of outputs, outcomes and attendance and record keeping;
- Prepares program and cleans areas used for the program;
- Cleans biohazardous fluids as required;
- Performs general housekeeping duties including but not limited to completing laundry and room turnover;
- Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Cambridge Health and Safety policies and procedures,
- Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA) Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights and Employment Standards Act (ESA);
Skills and Qualifications:
- Must have post-secondary education in Social Work/Social Services or related field or equivalent experience or lived experience;
- Committed to advocating for and supporting women and gender expansive communities within a harm reduction approach;
- Experience working with marginalized women experiencing trauma, mental health, health and substance use struggles;
- Proven experience in crisis management and de-escalation techniques;
- Knowledge of social housing and shelter system in the Region of Waterloo;
- Experience working in a diverse community or setting;
- Ability to bring a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective to work;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Good knowledge of community resources;
- Ability to work from a trauma informed practice;
- Ability to work a schedule rotation which includes days, early mornings, afternoons, evenings, overnights and weekends based on program needs;
- Must provide a current Vulnerable sector police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
The current hourly rate for this position is $24.72/hour (with a $2/hour shift premium for overnight shifts). The location of this job is Cambridge, Ontario and it will be an in-person, on site position.
How to apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining the skills you'd bring to this role.
Application deadline: September 4th, 2026
This Position is for an existing vacancy within the Shelter. We do not use AI technology to assist in the screening and selection process.
We thank all those who choose to apply for this position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
YWCA Cambridge is committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and disabled candidates, and from people with lived experience relevant to our mission. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process, Please let us know what you need.
Job Type: Casual
Pay: $24.72 per hour
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Cambridge, ON N1S 2L2: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- homeless shelter: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
