Overnight Drop In Worker (Temporary)

YWCA Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid on-the-job training

Opportunities for professional dev elp

Staff discounts for child care and/or夏

Job summary

YWCA Cambridge is seeking Temporary Overnight Drop In Workers to provide a safe, warm overnight option for women facing homelessness. You will support basic needs, crisis intervention, referrals and brief goal planning from a feminist, anti-racist perspective in a city setting.

Reporting to the Overnight Drop-in Program Supervisor, you will liaise with community partners and ensure confidentiality, safety plans, and trauma-informed practice across shifts including overnights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Social Work or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Advocacy for women and gender-diverse communities within harm reduction.
• Experience with marginalized women; trauma, mental health, substance use.
• Crisis management and de-escalation experience.
• Knowledge of housing and shelter system in Region of Waterloo.
• Ability to work in a diverse community.
• Feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Trauma-informed practice.
• Flexible schedule including overnights and weekends.
• Vulnerable sector police check current or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Conducts initial assessments to support client goals.
• Provides basic needs, harm reduction supports, and meals as needed.
• Liaises with Emergency Services, Housing First, First Connect, hospitals.
• Provides crisis intervention and counseling support.
• Offers social work supports: safety plans, advocacy, and goal setting.
• Collects data on outputs, outcomes, attendance; records work.
• Maintains confidentiality of client information.
• Prepares program for opening/closing; handles setup and cleaning.
• Coordinates with external contractors for cleaning and laundry.
• Cleans biohazardous fluids as required.
• Follows OHSA, WSIB, ESA; participates in trainings.
• Attends staff/team meetings; ensures policy compliance.
• Supports YWCA Cambridge mission, vision and values.
• Performs other duties as required.

Skills

Crisis management

De-escalation techniques

Trauma-informed practice

Strong communication

Collaboration with partners

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Work/Social Services or related field

Job description

Job Type: Full-Time, Part Time (Temporary)

Start Date: October 28, 2026

End Date: March 2027

Rate: $24.72/hour

YWCA Cambridge is looking for Temporary Overnight Drop In 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 Overnight Drop-in Program Supervisor, Overnight Drop In Workers provide a safe and warm overnight option to those who are either unable to access shelter due to capacity or other barriers. Using an integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive, harm reduction and trauma informed perspective, the Overnight Drop In Support Worker will prioritize the provision of basic needs and offer additional supports that include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, and brief goal planning; while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values

Job Duties:

• Conducts initial assessments for those accessing services and supports their personal goals and objectives;
• Provision of basic needs, harm reduction supports and support with serving meals as needed;
• Liaises with community partners including Emergency Services, Housing First Programs, First Connect and hospitals;
• Provides crisis intervention and counseling support;
• Works collaboratively to provide a range of social work supports including brief goal setting, developing safety plans related to violence, addictions and/or mental health, crisis intervention, counselling support and advocacy;
• Data collection of outputs, outcomes and attendance and record keeping;
• Maintains a high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client information;
• Prepares program for opening and closing daily (set up & take down), general cleaning of areas used for the program;
• Coordinates with external contractors daily for program cleaning and laundry services;
• Cleans biohazardous fluids as required;
• 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);
• Participates in any training provided by YWCA Cambridge;
• Attends and participates in staff/team meetings;
• Ensures compliance with YWCA Cambridge policies and procedures;
• Supports the YWCA Cambridge mission, vision and values.

Performs other duties as required.

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.

Working Conditions

• Works 30-40 hours per week;
• Work schedule includes evenings, overnight, early mornings, weekends and stat holidays;
• Often works in high conflict situations which can be hostile or violent at times requiring resolution and safety planning for clients and staff.

The current hourly rate for this position is $24.72/hour. The location of this job is Cambridge, Ontario and it will be an in-person, on site position.

This Position is for an existing vacancy within the Winter Warming Program.

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 2L1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Who We Are

YWCA Cambridge, a trusted community leader, gives a voice to the needs of cis and trans women and girls and non-binary and two-spirit individuals through innovative and responsive programs, services and advocacy.
Through leadership, advocacy and program and service delivery, YWCA Cambridge will influence communities to ensure all cis and trans women and girls and non-binary and two-spirit individuals are respected, valued and equal.

As a feminist organization, we have a tradition of advocacy stretching across our more than 70-year history. We believe that women, girls and gender diverse individuals deserve to feel safe and belonging wherever they live and that they must have the resources and opportunities to shape their own lives and communities. YWCA Cambridge is part of a global movement for gender justice, connecting over 25 million women in 125 countries. Founded in 1955, YWCA Cambridge has come to be known as a leader in the Cambridge and North Dumfries community, one that works from an intersectional feminist, anti-oppression framework.

Our Values

Women’s leadership
Accessibility
Accountability
Self-Determination
Community Mindedness
Inclusion
Equity

Work Perks

Inclusive, diverse, employee-focused environment
Remote-work/hybrid-work schedule currently available for some administrative roles
Paid on-the-job training
Opportunities for professional development and growth
Staff discounts for child care and summer camp
Opportunities to get involved in our community

We know our work transforms lives. Join our team and find an enriching career full of purpose and opportunity, alongside a team of like-minded people whose every day is about gender equity and exceptional program delivery.