Casual Shelter Worker

The Salvation Army International; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 37,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental benefits

Paid vacation and sick time

RRSPs

Job summary

The Salvation Army Harbour Light Vancouver is seeking a Shelter Worker to support clients in a 24/7 shelter program. You will handle intake, observation, and crisis support, ensuring safety and compassionate service for individuals facing homelessness.

The role requires trauma‑informed practice, documentation, and teamwork with case workers to help clients access housing and services. Long shifts and awake coverage are typical.

Qualifications

• High School education or equivalent.
• Naloxone training and First Aid/CPR are preferred.
• Mental health awareness and crisis intervention training valued.

Responsibilities

• Monitor safety of clients and facility; manage intake and discharge.
• Interview clients, assess suitability, refer to services.
• Provide advocacy and emotional support to clients in crisis.
• Maintain records: bed lists, logs, incident reports, memos.
• Record day-to-day events in logbooks and incident reports.
• Use trauma‑informed practice and harm reduction principles.

Skills

Integrity

Confidentiality

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Computer skills

Outlook

Word

Excel

Language skills

Positive attitude

Education

High School

Naloxone training

First Aid with CPR

Mental Health First Aid

Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention

Job description

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world‑wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith‑and values‑based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Position Purpose Summary

Under the direction of the Shelter Operations Manager, the Shelter Worker is responsible for the intake/discharge, communication, observation and monitoring of clients and routine duties of the shelter. The Shelter Worker may liaise with the Shelters Case Workers to carry out a variety of duties related to supporting clients while at the emergency shelter. This position is team oriented. All shifts are “awake” shifts.

Accountabilities

• Monitors and ensures the safety of clients and the facility by performing duties such as answering telephone calls, screening clients, admission/discharge of clients and securing the building.
• Interviews clients, gathers background information, determines their suitability for the program, and makes referrals to other programs and services as required.
• Provides advocacy and emotional support to clients in crisis by performing duties such as monitoring client’s physical needs, referring clients to outside agencies / or a Harbour Light Case Worker.
• Completes and maintains related records and documentation such as bed lists, daily logs, incident reports & memoranda.
• Makes entries and maintains HIFIS database.
• Encourages and supports individuals to make healthy choices and practices through methods such as exchanging needles and provision of health and safety materials such as condoms and to take part in recreational and/or social activities.
• Performs a variety of cleaning and maintenance duties such as (but not limited to): inspection and general upkeep of assigned areas (including regular checks of washrooms, laundry room and common areas); disinfecting of mattresses on client discharge; and general cleaning for health and safety reasons, such as use of spill kit, attending to wet floors and other duties required when housekeeping is not on site.
• Participates as a team member with other staff to ensure a safe and caring environment by performing duties such as responding to emergency issues and supporting others through methods such as sharing knowledge and information.
• Accurately records day-to-day happenings using appropriate methods; maintains logbooks and completes incident reports.
• Uses trauma-informed practice and harm reduction principles to guide services to clients and behavior‑based criteria for access to shelter.
• This role may perform other duties and other accountabilities as required.

Working Conditions

Candidates must be comfortable with working in Vancouver’s downtown eastside and in a multi‑program facility. Our programs include community meals, 24‑hour and overnight shelters, residential addiction treatment, a correctional residential facility for men on parole, low‑income housing, and other services. This position works in a 24/7 Shelter and/or in Emergency Shelter facility/social services facility. This position works in noisy and crowded environment with upset, abusive or angry people from time to time. This position may require overdose response and include the administering of Naloxone. This position may be exposed to bodily fluids and/or sharps. The performance of the job requires: Sitting for long periods of time; Moderate amounts of computer use (including repetitive data entry); Some lifting (up to 20lbs unassisted); Continuously monitoring the environment; Frequent recording of information. The work schedule (overnight shifts) may affect lifestyle. This position requires 0‑10% travel.

Education and Experience Qualifications

Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.

Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.

Ability to provide an original copy of a Background Check that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.

Criminal Record Review Program clearance is required for all positions at Vancouver Harbour Light.

Education, Qualifications and Certifications

High School, plus specialized courses of up to six (6) months. Naloxone training, First Aid with CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention training (or willingness to be trained).

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

Minimum three (3) months of experience working with the homeless, including experience with frontline work in a social services setting.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude towards the homeless and individuals with substance abuse and concurrent problems, including mental health concerns.
• Basic to Intermediate computer skills, particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Additional language skills are an asset.

Probationary Rate

Probationary rate: $26.85 p/hr

Post‑probationary Rate

Post‑probationary rate: $27.60 p/hr

Hours

Shifts are Monday to Sunday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm / 3:30 pm to 11:30 pm / 11:30 pm to 7:30 am as needed, each shift consists of 7.5 paid hours, and a 0.5-hour paid lunch break.

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $26.85 to $27.23 with a maximum of $27.60. Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

Accommodation

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [e-mail] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.

Benefits

• Health and dental benefits
• Paid vacation and sick time
• RRSP’s

About Our People

Our employees are motivated by the fulfillment and meaning they experience as they serve people in need across Canada and Bermuda. Whether at the front-lines or in a support role, as part of our team you’ll work alongside a diverse and skilled group of purpose‑driven professionals, empowered to provide exceptional service. We deeply value the relationships we build in the workplace, as well as the opportunities given to us such as the potential to experience flexibility at work, receive health and dental benefits, paid vacation and sick time, RRSP’s, as well as to expand our skills and advance our careers as together we build a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Join Us

If you're looking for a career that allows you to find meaning, make an impact, and one that challenges you to grow and become the best version of yourself, join our dynamic team. There is a place for everyone to belong at The Salvation Army.