Shift Supervisor (Temporary)

First United Church Community Ministry Society; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary progression

Employer-paid health benefits

Life insurance

Long-term disability

AD&D

Vacation 15 days

Paid statutory days

Paid sick leave

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

First United Church Community Ministry Society seeks a temporary Shift Supervisor to cover a July–December leave period; located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The role runs Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, supporting the shelter program and residents with leadership, safety, and policy adherence.

The incumbent will manage incidents, supervise staff, and ensure smooth shelter operations while promoting a respectful, inclusive environment aligned with the organization's mission.

Qualifications

• Minimum Grade 12 education.
• Post-secondary diploma or degree in a related field is required.
• Basic First Aid Certification is required.
• Food Safe Level 1 certification.
• NVCI training completed.
• Trained in naloxone.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience with clients experiencing addiction and/or mental health.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership while overseeing regular shelter activities.
• Make decisions incl. contacting emergency services or elevating issues.
• Defuse and de-escalate aggressive situations per policies.
• Monitor safety of clients and shelter space.
• Assist clients with shelter routines and procedures.
• Help resolve conflicts between residents.
• Maintain cleanliness and safety; restock supplies; conduct bed checks.
• Document observations and incidents in shift reports.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Education

Grade 12

Post-secondary diploma/degree in related field

Food safe level 1

NVCI

Naloxone training

Non-violent crisis intervention training

Job description

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 opportunity for you.

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

What We Offer

• 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
• Life insurance, Long-term Disability, and AD&D benefits
• 15 days of paid annual vacation
• 13 statutory paid days off every year and 12 days of paid sick leave
• An inclusive and supportive workplace culture

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

FIRST UNITED is seeking one individual to cover a temporary leave of a Shift Supervisor in our 51 bed; low barrier shelter located in the Downtown Eastside. This position works Monday to Fridays, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and will cover the period from October 26, 2026 until December 3, 2026.

The Shift Supervisor supports the Shelter Program at First United by providing direct service and supervision to staff, shelter residents, and community members, helping them understand and adhere to shelter and organizational policies and protocols, encourage a healthy work culture guided by our mission and values, and ensuring effective operations of the shelter program.

SPECIFIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a safe, supportive environment within the shelter and problem solving for the fostering of effective team relationships.
• Provide leadership while participating in and overseeing the regular activities of the shelter. Take responsibility for all decisions, including when to contact emergency services or to elevate an issue to management. Taking an active role in defusing and de-escalating aggressive situations, ensuring organizational policies, best practices and safety procedures are following including proper incident reporting, maintain the cleanliness and safety of the space and coordinating necessary services for repairs and cleaning.
• Monitor facility to maintain safety of clients and shelter space.
• Assist clients with shelter routines.
• Support clients in following all shelter procedures.
• Help clients work through conflict with others living in the shelter.
• Keep shelter clean, restock supplies, and ensure that bed checks and wake up calls are being done.
• Communicate observations and interactions with clients to shelter manager and shelter management through documentation in shift reports, and reports.
• Ensure confidentiality and professional language are practiced at all times.
• Assist with shelter meals as required, following all food safety guidelines.
• Intervene in incidents in the shelter, using appropriate techniques and safety procedures.
• Complete documentation as needed for client reporting, and incident reporting.
• Basic maintenance, organization & cleaning of facilities.
• Treat clients in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Assist with scheduling/shift coverage.
• Participate in Departmental, staff meetings and relevant trainings as required.
• Adhere to agency policy, procedures and practices, including Occupational Health and Safety.
• Direct staff when emergency protocols required (critical incidents, overdoses, medical emergencies, etc.).
• Complete all duties as assigned. Other duties as required.
• Due to the nature of the 24 hr/365 day shelter operations shifts may be day, evening or overnight.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Grade 12
• Related training in non-violent crisis intervention
• Basic First Aid Certification.
• Post-secondary diploma or degree in related field.
• Food safe level 1.
• NVCI.
• Trained in naloxone.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working with clients who experience addiction and/or mental health.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Supervisory Responsibility: Supervision of shelter resource workers, shelter residents, and community members.

Latitude: Reports to the Shelter Manager, working closely to ensure adequate coverage of management duties on a weekly basis, and to ensure a cohesive and trusting team culture.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Regular communication is maintained with all levels of management, staff, shelter residents, and community members.
• Communication is also maintained with management and co-workers as work is assigned and completed, and information is exchanged on an ongoing basis.

JOB CLASSIFICATION & WAGES

Bargaining Unit

Job Classification: CSSEA Provincial Agreement JJEP Classification 14

What To Expect

• Candidates should submit resume, cover letter and respond to written questions.
• Candidates matching closely with the position's needs will be contacted for a phone interview.
• Candidates advancing to the next stage can expect 1 phone screen, and up to 2 interviews with the Manager and hiring committee.
• All positions at First United require a criminal record check clearance.
• 2 references from previous supervisory manager will be requested at the offer stage.