Shelter Support Worker

Housing Job Match; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bloom Group’s Women & Children’s Services – Springhouse in Vancouver seeks a Shelter Support Worker to help residents maintain safe, supportive communal living. You will provide emotional support, information, referrals and advocacy tailored to women and children in crisis.

The role uses a harm-reduction, trauma-informed approach and requires overnight shifts Sunday to Thursday, 12:00am–8:00am, with start ASAP. Diploma in CS/SW or equivalent and two years of related experience are expected.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Community Social Services or related field is required, equivalency may be considered
• Two years recent related work experience providing support to women and/or children in crisis in a residential setting is required
• Level 1 Occupational First Aid Certificate is required
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or Mandt training is required
• Food Safe Certificate is required
• WHMIS training is required

Responsibilities

• Facilitate day-to-day communal living and provide emotional support to residents
• Provide information, referrals and advocacy for women and children in crisis
• Apply a low barrier harm reduction, trauma-informed approach in crisis situations

Skills

English communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Independent judgement

Harm reduction

Trauma-informed care

Conflict de-escalation

Empathy

Problem solving

Education

Diploma in Community Social Services or related field

Two years related crisis-support experience

First Aid Level 1

Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or Mandt

Food Safe Certificate

WHMIS training

Job description

POSITION: Shelter Support Worker

DEPARTMENT: Women & Children’s Services – Springhouse

AFFILIATION: HEU

POSTING NUMBER: 26-41

SALARY: $33.49 - $35.31

GRID LEVEL: 34

DURATION: Until Return of Absent Incumbent

STATUS: Temporary Full-Time

Sunday to Thursday, 12:00am – 8:00am

START: ASAP

JOB SUMMARY:

The Shelter Support Worker facilitates day-to-day communal living among residents of the Women and Children’s program through the provision of emotional support, information, referrals, and advocacy. The incumbent will act in accordance with The Bloom Group philosophy and provide low barrier harm reduction trauma informed support and assistance to women and children in crisis.

EDUCATION/PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Diploma in Community Social Services, Social Service Work or other relevant human services field is required, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered
• Two years recent related work experience providing support to women and/or children in crisis within a residential setting is required; two years recent experience in a related field such as a women’s advocacy, women’s shelters, women’s transitional housing or second stage housing may be considered
• Level 1 Occupational First Aid Certificate is required
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or Mandt training is required
• Food Safe Certificate is required
• WHMIS training is required

REQUIREMENTS:

• Gender is a bona fide occupational requirement: self-identifying women only applicantsplease
• We are particularly interested in receiving applications from women who reflect the diversity of the women who access our services: Indigenous and Racialized Women strongly encouraged to apply

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbally
• Demonstration of advanced interpersonal skills specific to the role including de-briefing, active listening, conflict resolution, group facilitation, one to one direct support and problem solving
• Demonstrated ability to participate and contribute in a strong team environment with an inclusive and collaborative approach
• Strong ability to work under minimal supervision and act with a high degree of independent judgement, taking action on a variety of matters as required
• Strong working knowledge of child welfare and protection issues, including relevant legislation and reporting requirements
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience providing parenting support, incorporating a women centered, culturally sensitive, strength-based approach
• Proven ability to work with a high degree of compassion, understanding and sensitivity
• Demonstrated ability to provide non-judgmental, client-centered, non-therapeutic emotional and practical support to women and children in crisis
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback
• Demonstrated commitment to continual learning and improvement through the incorporation of reflective work-based learning approaches
• Knowledge and understanding of the complex issues which affect women and children in poverty, with a demonstrated awareness of specific issues facing aboriginal women, women of color, ageing women and women with disabilities
• Proven ability to work in a stressful and changing work environment
• Demonstrated experience or training in conflict resolution, de-escalation and risk assessment
• Demonstrated ability to support individuals with mental health and substance use issues, utilizing a harm reduction approach and working within a trauma informed care model
• Ability to work and empathize with people who may have experienced abuse, poverty, grief and loss, oppression, violence, mental health challenges, addictions issues or maybe living with HIV/AIDS and other life-limiting or life-threatening conditions
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position, experience operating related equipment and ability to effectively use industrial grade cleaning products