111-26: Shelter Support Person

COSTI; Toronto; On-site; CAD 36,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

COSTI is hiring for a full-time Shelter Intake role in Toronto, Ontario. The position supports Peel Centralized Asylum Claimant services and housing initiatives, with a focus on trauma-informed, client-centered care. Expect 35 hours weekly, on-site shifts including weekends, and a funding window through March 31, 2027.

Responsibilities include intake, documentation, client support, and collaboration with external agencies while maintaining safety and welfare for residents.

Qualifications

• Minimum Community College Diploma in Social Service Worker or Community Service Worker, or a combination of post-secondary education in human Services or equivalent.
• Minimum six (6) months full-time experience working in shelters with considerable experience in assisting persons who are homeless and experiencing psycho/social/physical, emotional and/or environmental challenges in congregated setting.
• Experience working in Centralized Intake environment demonstrating ability to apply client-centered approach when assisting callers and completing holistic assessment to empower callers through strength-based practices.
• Demonstrate ability to work within a system of care approach to assess diversion or entry to the shelter and provide coordinated access to the shelter system if appropriate.
• Ability to manage administrative duties associated with shelter operations, ensuring compliance with guidelines and policies through continuous monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Refugee determination process and related legislation.
• Understanding of and commitment to working from a harm reduction, anti-oppression, and trauma-informed care approach.
• High-level proficiency in desktop applications including Microsoft office, excel, outlook and Teams
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Perform Central Intake duties for Peel Centralized Asylum Claimant program; complete holistic assessment; triage and prioritize clients based on their immediate physical and social needs.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation into Housing Technology Integration database and CIS in accordance with Peel Shelter Standards and COSTI’s policies and procedures.
• Complete in-person client intake, discharges and carry out heat treatment procedures as per Peel Shelter Standards.
• Work directly with clients in all aspect of service necessary for the comfort and safety of individuals accessing shelter services.
• Responsible for ensuring admission files, welcome packages and essential new linens are ready and prepared regularly.
• Build rapport with clients using trauma-informed, harm-reducing, culturally safe, and client-centered approaches.
• Responsible for active screening and access control of shelter entrance.
• Liaise and support external agency staff while on site delivering services to clients.
• Responsible for monitoring dining space and ensuring clients receive meals according to their dietary restrictions.
• Responsible for sorting and distributing mail/packages, including contacting clients.
• Responsible for redistribution of clean linens and completing linen count reports.
• Responsible for conducting regular patrols, bunk inspection and wellness checks.
• Assist clients with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriate.
• Work cooperatively, respectfully, and constructively with clients, team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders.
• Assist with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the management team.
• Undertake other related and/ or delated duties, as assigned.

Skills

Client intake

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Team collaboration

Stress management

Education

Post-secondary education in Human Services

Community College Diploma in Social Service Worker

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Outlook

Teams

Job description

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 35

Union: No

Duration: October 5, 2026-March 31, 2027

Job Description: COSTI’s Hostel Services program offers temporary shelter and comprehensive settlement and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness, including families, refugees, women fleeing domestic violence, and single adults. Our shelters provide a safe, welcoming, and pet-friendly environment where clients can begin to rebuild their lives.

At COSTI Shelters, we are committed to creating inclusive spaces for individuals, ensuring they feel supported and respected. Through high-quality Housing services and tailored programs, we help residents transition smoothly and integrate into the broader community.

With a longstanding history as one of Toronto’s settlement providers, COSTI takes pride in being a trusted leader in refugee settlement services and support.

This is a full-time contract, on-site position scheduled to work 35 hours per week,

Funding for this position has only been confirmed until March 31, 2027. Continued employment beyond that date is subject to funding availability and operational requirements

Morning shift, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Evening Shift 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, mix of weekdays and weekend days

DUTIES

• Perform Central Intake duties for Peel Centralized Asylum Claimant program; complete holistic assessment; triage and prioritize clients based on their immediate physical and social needs.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation into Housing Technology Integration database and CIS in accordance with Peel Shelter Standards and COSTI’s policies and procedures.
• Complete in-person client intake, discharges and carry out heat treatment procedures as per Peel Shelter Standards.
• Work directly with clients in all aspect of service necessary for the comfort and safety of individuals accessing shelter services
• Responsible for ensuring admission files, welcome packages and essential new linens are ready and prepared regularly.
• Build rapport with clients using trauma-informed, harm-reducing, culturally safe, and client-centered approaches.
• Responsible for active screening and access control of shelter entrance.
• Liaise and support external agency staff while on site delivering services to clients.
• Responsible for monitoring dining space and ensuring clients receive meals according to their dietary restrictions.
• Responsible for sorting and distributing mail/packages, including contacting clients.
• Responsible for redistribution of clean linens and completing linen count reports.
• Responsible for conducting regular patrols, bunk inspection and wellness checks.
• Assist clients with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriate.
• Work cooperatively, respectfully, and constructively with clients, team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders.
• Assist with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the management team.
• Undertake other related and/ or delated duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Community College Diploma in Social Service Worker or Community Service Worker, or a combination of post-secondary education in human Services or equivalent.
• Minimum six (6 months) fulltime experience working in shelters with considerable experience in assisting persons who are homeless and experiencing psycho/social/physical, emotional and/or environmental challenges in congregated setting.
• Experience working in Centralized Intake environment demonstrating ability to apply client-centered approach when assisting callers and completing holistic assessment to empower callers through strength-based practices
• Demonstrate ability to work within a system of care approach to assess diversion or entry to the shelter and provide coordinated access to the shelter system if appropriate.
• Ability to manage administrative duties associated with shelter operations, ensuring compliance with guidelines and policies through continuous monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Refugee determination process and related legislation.
• Understanding of and commitment to working from a harm reduction, anti-oppression, and trauma-informed care approach.
• High-level proficiency in desktop applications including Microsoft office, excel, outlook and Teams
• Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully both oral and written.
• Fluency in a second language is an asset.
• Ability to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment and recognize emergency situations.
• Ability to routinely lift, carry, and stack items upto 25 lbs.
• Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays.
• Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.
• Valid Naloxone and Standard First Aid/CPR/AED certification

NOTE: Current employees are required to indicate their internal candidate status when applying through Workday to ensure accurate applications review process.

Hourly Rate: $26.27-$27.54

COSTI encourages applications from individuals reflecting the diversity of our community. COSTI is committed to fair and accessible employment practices and when requested, will make reasonable effort to accommodate people with disabilities during the recruitment and assessment processes when filling positions.