Women’s Emergency Shelter Worker (Relief/Casual Permanent Position)

Ywcacambridge; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established community leader is seeking Casual Emergency Shelter Workers to support women experiencing homelessness. This role involves providing crucial assistance in a new emergency shelter, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Workers will engage in crisis intervention, advocacy, and collaboration with community partners to meet the diverse needs of clients. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women and gender-diverse individuals, fostering a culture of empowerment and respect. Join a passionate team dedicated to gender equity and community support, and help shape a brighter future for those in need.

Benefits

Inclusive, diverse, employee-focused environment

Paid on-the-job training

Opportunities for professional development

Staff discounts for child care and summer camp

Opportunities to get involved in the community

Qualifications

• Must have post-secondary education in Social Work or equivalent experience.
• Experience working with marginalized women and knowledge of social housing.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and advocacy for women.
• Liaise with community partners and assist clients in navigating services.

Skills

Crisis Management

Advocacy

Communication Skills

Trauma-Informed Practice

Crisis Intervention

Knowledge of Community Resources

De-escalation Techniques

Feminist Perspective

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Work/Social Services

Job description

Jan 13, 2025

YWCA Cambridge is looking for Casual Emergency Shelter Workers who are committed to our mission, vision and values and keen to help us launch this new shelter initiative. Through a partnership with Grace Bible Church, a new temporary emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness will open in Cambridge later this month.

Reporting to the Shelter Manager, Shelter Workers provide support to women experiencing homelessness in a shelter model designed to provide a safe, warm, supportive space for women and gender-diverse individuals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using an integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive and trauma informed perspective, the Shelter Worker will assess the needs of women and offer supports that include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, brief goal planning, and programming; while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values.

Job Duties:

• Works with women to identify & support their personal goals and objectives; to achieve immediate stabilization and wrap around support needed
• Provision of basic needs, harm reduction supports and support with serving meals as needed
• Liaises with community partners including Emergency Services, Housing Providers, Housing First Programs, hospitals;
• Conducts initial intake, assessments for the woman accessing services;
• Provides crisis intervention and counseling support;
• Works with the Shelter Staff Team to provide a range of social work supports including goal setting, developing safety plans related to violence, addictions and/or mental health, crisis intervention, counselling support and advocacy;
• Offers referrals and assists clients in navigating services and housing in the community;
• Advocates on behalf of women;
• Data collection of outputs, outcomes and attendance and record keeping;
• Prepares program and cleans areas used for the program;
• Cleans biohazardous fluids as required;
• Performs general housekeeping duties including but not limited to completing laundry and room turnover;
• 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);

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;

The current hourly rate for this position is $24/hour (with a $2/hour shift premium for overnight shifts). The location of this job is Cambridge, Ontario and it will be an in-person, on site position.

Interested candidates should send their resume by 4:00 pm on Jan 31, 2025 to:

We thank all those who choose to apply for this position but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

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.