Program Support Worker - Weekends

YWCA Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding work

Professional development

Employee assistance plan

Job summary

YW Calgary is seeking a Program Support Worker to assist women facing poverty, addictions, violence, mental health challenges and homelessness as they transition into safe housing. You will provide day-to-day operational and emotional support within an interdisciplinary team.

This weekend position (Saturdays and Sundays 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) emphasizes trauma-informed care, crisis de-escalation, advocacy, and helping residents access services, basic needs, and stable housing.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Human Services, Social Work, or equivalent.
• 1-2 years' experience working in a shelter setting.
• Training in trauma-informed care, gender-based violence, and crisis intervention preferred.
• Ability to respond to high pressure situations with trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming, inclusive environment that respects diverse identities, cultures, and lived experiences.
• Build trusting, trauma-informed, and professional relationships with clients through consistent, compassionate presence.
• Support clients in navigating emotional distress, conflict, or crisis using grounding techniques and crisis de-escalation strategies.
• Respond to crises with calm, appropriate interventions and access emergency supports when necessary.
• Assist clients in identifying and articulating their needs, preferences, and goals in collaboration with their key Case Manager.
• Identify services and resources appropriate to the client's service plan and support clients in accessing them, including referrals and advocacy.
• Support clients in accessing basic needs such as food, hygiene supplies, and clothing.
• Help clients feel safe and empowered during transitions such as move-ins, exits, or changes in care.
• Assist clients with activating their safety plans created with their key Case Manager.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including critical incidents, shift notes and case notes.
• Coordinate lease agreements, renewals and move-in/move-out procedures with sensitivity and efficiency.
• Adhere to sound record keeping and documentation practices, including safe storage of confidential information, timely data entry and objective case noting.
• Collect rents and actively address rent arrears by supporting clients in developing rent-repayment plans as needed.
• Support data entry and administrative tasks related to program evaluation and reporting.
• Integrate equity, diversity and inclusion principles into one's role, work, and engagement with others, as aligned with YW Calgary's EDI strategy and values.
• Understand YW Calgary's Health, Safety and Wellness (HS&W) policies, practices and protocols; ensure work is performed safely and in alignment with YW's HS&W culture.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Gender-based violence awareness

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Record-keeping

Discretion and professionalism

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Post-secondary education in Human Services, Social Work, or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data systems

Job description

The Program Support Worker plays a vital role in supporting women experiencing poverty, addictions, violence, mental health challenges and homelessness as they transition into safe and stable housing. As a key member of our interdisciplinary team, this role focuses on day-to-day operational and emotional support, ensuring the smooth functioning of the program and the wellbeing of residents. Through compassionate, trauma-informed support and consistent operational care, the Program Support Worker helps create a safe and stable environment where women feel empowered to heal, rebuild and move toward long-term housing stability and overall wellbeing.

This is a weekend position, working Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

What We Offer

• Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for individuals and our community
• A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development
• Comprehensive benefits including an employee assistance plan

What You'll Do

• Create a welcoming, inclusive environment that respects diverse identities, cultures, and lived experiences
• Build trusting, trauma-informed, and professional relationships with clients through consistent, compassionate presence
• Support clients in navigating emotional distress, conflict, or crisis using grounding techniques and crisis de-escalation strategies
• Respond to crises with calm, appropriate interventions and access emergency supports when necessary
• Assist clients in identifying and articulating their needs, preferences, and goals in collaboration with their key Case Manager
• Identify services and resources appropriate to the client's service plan and support clients in accessing them, including referrals and advocacy
• Support clients in accessing basic needs such as food, hygiene supplies, and clothing
• Help clients feel safe and empowered during transitions such as move-ins, exits, or changes in care
• Assist clients with activating their safety plans created with their key Case Manager
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including critical incidents, shift notes and case notes
• Coordinate lease agreements, renewals and move-in/move-out procedures with sensitivity and efficiency
• Adhere to sound record keeping and documentation practices, including safe storage of confidential information, timely data entry and objective case noting
• Collect rents and actively address rent arrears by supporting clients in developing rent-repayment plans as needed
• Support data entry and administrative tasks related to program evaluation and reporting
• Integrate equity, diversity and inclusion principles into one's role, work, and engagement with others, as aligned with YW Calgary's EDI strategy and values
• Understand YW Calgary's Health, Safety and Wellness (HS&W) policies, practices and protocols; ensure work is performed safely and in alignment with YW's HS&W culture

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in Human Services, Social Work, or equivalent
• 1-2 years' experience working in a shelter setting

What You'll Bring

• Training in trauma-informed care, gender-based violence, and crisis intervention preferred
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, specifically diverse women impacted by intersectional barriers
• Ability to respond to high pressure situations and consistent use of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches
• Skilled at balancing priorities while maintaining a calm and supportive presence
• Collaborative; strong communication, organizational, and record-keeping skills
• Ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, data systems and reporting tools

Deadline: until a successful candidate is found

YW Calgary is committed to providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace where all employees, volunteers and clients feel valued and respected, whatever their race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, ancestry, or place of origin.

Personal information is managed in accordance with Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and other applicable laws and we are committed to safeguarding your personal information. During the recruitment process personal information is collected for the purpose of people practice management. Privacy inquiries can be directed to the attention of the Privacy Officer at [e-mail].