Community Housing Worker (Casual)

Union Gospel Mission (Vancouver); Vancouver; On-site; CAD 3,581,760 - 3,815,952; Full time

Job summary

Union Gospel Mission Vancouver is seeking a Housing Support Worker to assist the Supervisor in the Sanctuary Transitional Housing Program. You will provide strength-based, trauma-informed support to women and families, helping them with daily living, referrals, child care, and program activities in a safe, hygienic environment.

The role includes shift work, weekends, evenings, overnights, and statutory holidays, under a temporary, casual contract.

Qualifications

• Diploma or certificate in human services or related discipline.
• 2 years of related experience in abstinence-based housing.
• Valid Class 5 driver's license.
• Food Safe Certificate is preferred.
• At least 20 hours of training in counseling, crisis and conflict resolution, psychosocial intervention, and trauma-informed practice.
• Basic computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure, and function independently.
• Experience with Indigenous clients; working in a multi-ethnic and socially diverse community is an asset.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and stages of change is preferred.
• Willing to complete UGM’s Non-Violent Crisis Intervention course and all other mandatory training.
• Technical Competency—Trauma-Informed Care (Level 1).

Responsibilities

• Build rapport with the program tenants by fostering a climate of inclusion, grace and forgiveness.
• Support tenants by attending appointments, providing referrals, and helping with material needs and services.
• Provide instruction—including demonstration—to tenants for housekeeping, hygiene, cooking, laundry, safety, etc.
• Provide care for infants and children at the request of tenants, including holding, feeding, and changing.
• Help organize and participate in Housing and Aftercare program activities.
• Defuse and de-escalate aggressive situations.
• Assist housing team with intakes and discharges and pest control prep.
• Report concerns related to recovery, safety, housing, or policy breaches.
• Assist staff with wellness checks.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and spiritual development opportunities.
• Adhere to all UGM policies, including OH&S.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Confidentiality

Multi-tasking

Interpersonal skills

Crisis management

Education

Diploma in human services

Tools

Outlook

Word

Excel

Job description

Are you ready to walk alongside women and families as they take courageous steps toward stability and independence? This position will be responsible to assist the Supervisor, Housing Program to provide strength‑based, trauma‑informed, individual, and family support for program tenants living in the Sanctuary Transitional Housing Program, ensuring they have the appropriate level of practical support for daily living. The Housing Support Worker helps to ensure a safe, hygienic, and supportive environment for program tenants as they navigate living more independently. The job includes assisting with referrals, child‑minding, appointments, program activities, and daily‑routine support, as well as material needs as requested by the program tenants. In addition, the Support Worker ministers to these women by forming relationships, encouraging program tenants in their faith, and modeling Christ‑like behaviour. The job includes shift work, including weekends, evenings, overnights, and statutory holidays. Temporary, casual contract. The starting range for this position is $26.26 to $27.70 per hour.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Build rapport with the program tenants by fostering a climate of inclusion, grace and forgiveness.
• Support the program tenants by attending various appointments, providing referrals, and helping with the acquisition of material needs and services in the community.
• Provide instruction—including demonstration—to tenants for skills related to housekeeping, hygiene, cooking, laundry, safety, etc.
• Provide care for infants and children at the request of—and in the presence of—program tenants, including holding, feeding, and changing, etc., in order to support them as they attend to household duties.
• Help organize and participate in Housing and Aftercare program activities, offering ideas and resources when appropriate.
• Take an active role in proactively and re‑actively defusing and de‑escalating aggressive situations.
• Assist housing team with program tenants’ intakes and discharges and pest control preparation and process.
• Report any concerns related to recovery, safety, housing, or building policy breaches to the Supervisor, Housing Program.
• Assist other Women & Families team members with Program Tenant wellness checks when necessary.
• Participate in staff meetings, training, and spiritual development opportunities, and perform other duties as required by your supervisor.
• Adhere to all UGM published policies, practices and procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety.

KSA’s

• Mature individual, committed to and in agreement with UGM’s Mission Statement, Core Values and Statement of Faith.
• A vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ our Creator, as Saviour and Lord.
• Diploma or certificate in human services (or related discipline).
• 2 years of related experience in abstinence‑based housing.
• Other combinations of lived experience and education may be considered.
• Valid Class 5 drivers’ license.
• Food Safe Certificate is preferred.
• At least 20 hours of training in one or more of these subjects: counselling; crisis and conflict resolution; psychosocial intervention for substance use and concurrent disorders; and trauma‑informed practice.
• Basic computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Ability to multi‑task and work well under pressure, and function independently.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality within the organization and its clientele.
• Experience with Indigenous clients; working in a multi‑ethnic and socially diverse community is an asset.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing and stages of change is preferred.
• Willing to complete UGM’s Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention course and all other mandatory training.
• Technical Competency—Trauma‑Informed Care (Level 1): Help identify negative events that have impacted the client’s functioning, and develop interventions that emphasize safety, choice, and personal control.

Working Conditions

Work Location. Work is generally performed indoors, with up to 65% of the time spent outdoors in all types of weather.

Physical Requirements. Work fluctuates between sedentary and active, but may require standing, walking or reaching for up to 90% of the time. Employee is required to look at a computer screen and use a keyboard for up to 30% of the time. Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds occasionally.

Work Conditions. Working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate. Work is performed amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises. Frequent environmental exposures to cold, heat, and water. This position is required to work in an environment often dealing with clients in crisis situations brought about by diverse problems. The ability to function independently and frequently under pressure, while managing multiple concurrent tasks including emergency situations, is an ongoing expectation of this position.

Hours of Work. This position will be a part of a team within a 24‑hour facility, with a weekly schedule of 1‑9 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and 8 am‑4 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Statutory holiday work will be required. Some work on scheduled days off and/or moderate overtime may be required.

Hazards. Job requires frequent interaction with the public some of whom may be upset, abusive, and/or violent. Job requires working frequently with people in unhealthy conditions and may include exposure to bodily fluids, lice and bedbugs. Employee is required to hear information about clients’ lives which may be troubling or upsetting, and may cause emotional issues including vicarious trauma.

Other. Due to the nature of the job, and our commitment to a safe environment, the candidate is subject to a criminal record check and must submit a current Driver’s Abstract.