Shelter Manager

First United Church; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 82,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Vancouver is seeking a Shelter Manager to oversee daily operations, provide support to staff, and ensure the safety and well-being of shelter residents. The role demands strong leadership skills, management experience, and a commitment to serving vulnerable individuals. Competitive salary of $82,000 - $88,000 plus comprehensive benefits is offered.

Benefits

Annual salary progression

Comprehensive health benefits

Pension plan with employer contributions

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and management skills are required.
• Experience in a unionized environment preferred.
• Valid BC Driver's License needed.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily shelter operations and staff management.
• Ensure adherence to shelter policies and procedures.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation when required.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Budgeting skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Post-secondary education in relevant field

Management experience

Experience in a non-profit environment

Job description

Overview

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouver's Downtown Eastside community for 140 years. We offer responsive, low-barrier services to individuals who are low-income, under-housed or homeless. We provide essential services to meet the daily needs of community members and engage in systems change work to reduce homelessness and break cycles of poverty. If you're looking for purpose-filled work and want to make a difference in the community, this might be the position for you.

Position: Shelter Manager

What We Offer:

Salary: $82,000 - $88,000

• Annual salary progression for all staff
• Comprehensive and 100% employer-paid health benefits including extended health and dental plan for regular staff, spouses and dependents
• United Church of Canada defined pension plan; employee contribution rate 6%, employer contribution rate 9%
• Life insurance, long-term disability, and AD&D benefits
• 20 days of paid annual vacation
• 13 statutory paid days off every year and 12 days of paid sick leave

Each job within the FIRST UNITED CHURCH Community Ministry Society should promote our accomplishment of our vision, mission, and values.

General Description:

The Shelter Manager, under the direction of the Associate Director of Community Safety & Connection, ensures community members who access shelter services feel connected and are treated with respect and dignity. The shelter manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations, providing direct service and supervision to staff and shelter residents, ensuring adherence to shelter policies and protocols, and ensuring effective operations of the shelter program.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Operations Management:

• Direct shelter operations: oversee day-to-day activities, ensure efficient workflows, and implement and maintain necessary systems, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee weekly staffing schedules, timesheets/payroll, leave requests and related administrative duties for shelter staff.
• Facility maintenance: oversee maintenance and ensure it is kept in good working order; report deficiencies to the Facilities Manager.
• Maintain the budget, monitor spending, and assist with operational budget planning.
• Identify and report resource requirements and deficiencies, ensuring the facility is well-stocked and functioning properly.
• Data collection and reporting: maintain data on key shelter functions, analyze information, and present monthly reports.
• Ensure safety and sanitation of the facility; implement and oversee safety programs and stay current on industry best practices.
• Attend OH&S monthly meeting and follow up with recommendations.
• Perform some maintenance duties as needed.

Staff Supervision:

• Manage and support shelter staff; provide orientation, training and guidance.
• Human Resources functions for the Shelter Team including progressive discipline, coaching and performance reviews; recruit, hire, train and orient staff to maintain a full roster of Shelter Resource Workers, Case Workers, Shift Supervisors and Janitorial Staff.
• Establish policies and procedures for the Shelter Team and Shelter Program aligned with First United Church Community Ministry Society values and the BC Housing contract; review and edit policies as program changes occur.

Resident Support:

• Oversee the case planning function; work with Shelter Case Planners and Shift Supervisors to provide case management and gateway services for shelter residents.
• Collaborate on decisions regarding termination of shelter services for residents.
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation when required.
• Ensure overall safety of the shelter program; contribute to safety plans and decisions regarding denial or restriction of service due to violent, abusive or inappropriate conduct.
• Follow up on complaints and concerns from shelter residents.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Attend organizational staff meetings.
• Plan and conduct regular staff meetings, providing feedback and support to staff.
• Accountable for HIFIS documentation and shift report accuracy and completion.
• Accountable for information management, data collection and reports for shelter resident intakes, stays, turnaways and gateway into housing.
• Collaborate with external partners, such as community agencies, and represent the shelter at community events when required.
• Provide excellent customer service, resolve complaints, and ensure a positive customer experience.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to maintain a calm, welcoming, empathetic and professional demeanor with vulnerable and/or marginalized individuals, including those with mental health or substance use challenges.
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public
• Knowledge of shelter operations
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Experience with budgeting and financial management
• Computer proficiency
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle difficult situations and de-escalate conflict
• Physical ability to safely lift 23kg (50 lbs) regularly
• Valid BC Driver's License and clear driving record; ability to drive cargo vans

Education

• Management experience preferred
• Post-secondary education, degree or diploma in a relevant field or combination of education and management experience
• Experience in a non-profit environment (e.g., shelter, group home, recovery house)
• Experience in a unionized environment strongly preferred
• Non-violent crisis intervention training
• Basic First Aid Certification
• Naloxone training

Scope of Responsibility

Supervisory/Management responsibility: Shelter Case Planner/s, Shift Supervisors, Shelter Resource Workers, and Janitorial Staff

Financial Responsibility: Responsible for the overall management of the budget in assigned areas of responsibility.

Latitude: The Shelter Manager works independently. If clarification is required, it is expected that the Manager will request further directions from the Director of Community Connection & Safety, Director of Community Services, and/or Executive Director.

Internal/External Relationships:

• Regular communication with all levels of staff and management; work is assigned and information exchanged on an ongoing basis.

Job Classification & Wages:

Exempt X Management; Bargaining Unit

We are committed to becoming a more just, equitable, inclusive, and diverse workplace, which extends to how we hire. We continually learn and unlearn practices while examining systemic causes of inequity, including colonialism.

We aim to be representative of the communities we serve and welcome applications from all. Preference may be given to members of groups that have been marginalized based on Indigeneity, race, colour, religion, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression.