Women’s Shelter Support Worker

Tkemlups te Secwepemc; Kamloops; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community services organization seeks a Women’s Shelter Support Worker to provide critical assistance to women and children escaping relationship violence. The role involves assessment, support services, and collaboration with community resources, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for tenants. Candidates should have relevant educational qualifications and experience in supporting vulnerable populations.

Benefits

Extended health insurance

Dental and vision benefits

Registered Pension Plan (RPP) matching

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies regarding shelter operations.
• Ability to work in multi-cultural settings and collaborate with external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Client assessment and service provision for shelter tenants.
• Coordination with external agencies and community services.
• Documentation and reporting of client progress and safety plans.

Skills

Crisis management

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Social work or community services diploma/degree

First Aid/CPR certification

Trauma-informed care training

Crisis intervention training

Job description

JOB POSTING

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (TteS) is a fast-growing vibrant organization committed to the development and progress of its Band Members and Community. As such, the TteS invites applications from qualified, highly motivated and dynamic individuals to fill the following position.

POSITION TITLE: Women’s Shelter Support Worker

DEPARTMENT: Community Services

SUPERVISOR: Shelter Manager

TERMS: Full-time, Permanent

REFERENCE #: 2025-087

Purpose of Position:

The Support Worker will provide safe, emergency accommodation, support, and information for women and children, escaping relationship violence. The Support Worker is part of a supportive, emergency case management/shelter team working in cooperation with the Manager. Job duties and responsibilities center on responding to the needs of women and their children seeking or receiving safe shelter; ensuring the protection of the confidentiality of the tenants; and ensuring the safe, orderly operation of the house.

The purpose of this position is to assist TteS Women’s Shelter tenants (including LGBTQ2+, women, children, families, and tenants) in creating a safe, healthy, and caring environment free of neglect, abuse, and exploitation. This position is responsible for providing consultative social work services of a general nature to clients and families to enhance the lives of TteS members.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Client Assessment and Service Provision (85%)

• Client Needs Assessment: Work closely with tenants, women, children, and networks to assess their immediate and ongoing needs. Provide appropriate services based on these assessments, following approved practices, policies, standards, and shelter guidelines.


• Referral and Access to Services: Refer tenants to external services, including housing, healthcare, counseling, and legal assistance. Assist with accessing these services by providing support with applications, transportation, and coordination.


• Education and Information Sharing: Provide clients with information regarding personal safety, parenting skills, trauma recovery, effects of substance use, mental health, employment, and educational opportunities. Promote empowerment by offering culturally appropriate resources and support.


• Child Protection Collaboration: Work jointly with child and family service agencies, including SCFS (Secwépemc Child & Family Services) and MCFD (Ministry of Children and Family Development), to address child protection concerns. Share pertinent information and collaborate on cases to ensure the safety and well-being of children with the case management team.


• Safe Place Facilitation: Identify and coordinate safe places for children and tenants in emergencies, ensuring they have a secure and supportive environment during crises.


• Court and Legal Support: Provide families with comprehensive information regarding court proceedings, child custody matters, and legal plans, assisting them in understanding and navigating the legal system. Coordinates with the Justice Worker as necessary.


• Family Case Management: Develop a deep understanding of each client’s background, case history, and progress. Build rapport to foster trust and engagement, supporting families in creating and following through on personalized safety and care plans.


• Cultural and Community Integration: Ensure that the cultural, community, and familial needs of children are represented in their care plans. Advocate for these needs in collaboration with external agencies and the community.


• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain detailed, current, and confidential client files, ensuring all records are accurate and up to date. Regularly report to the Manager on client progress, child abuse investigations, family plans, and emergencies.


• Assist in the shelter's kitchen operations,including meal preparation, cooking, and ensuring food safety standards are met.


• Support pantry management, including organizing supplies, handling groceries, and maintaining inventory for daily meal services.


• Confidentiality and Ethics: Adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines as outlined in shelter policies, SCFS Policy, and the MCFD contract. Seek authorization for sharing client documentation with external parties when required.

2. Liaison with External Agencies (10%)

• Agency Collaboration: Meet and communicate regularly (at least once per week) with external service providers, such as staff, to discuss client progress and address any service gaps or concerns.


• Committee and Conference Participation: Attend relevant committee meetings, conferences, and community events to stay informed on best practices, available resources, and collaborative opportunities for improving client services.


• Documentation for External Organizations: Complete all required paperwork and reports for external agencies, organizations, or individuals, ensuring accuracy and timeliness by shelter and agency requirements.

3. Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Community Engagement: Assist with planning and coordinating shelter-related social functions, designed to foster community and support among tenants, under the direction of the Manager.


• Program Support: Provide additional support to the shelter program, participating in special projects, team initiatives, or other tasks as necessary to enhance shelter operations and client outcomes.

Professional Certification, Education and Experience:

• Social work, community services diploma, degree, or related field with 2 years of experience,


• First Aid/CPR certification, trauma-informed care training, crisis intervention training, Indigenous/culturally sensitive training.


• Experience working with vulnerable populations (experience in crises, shelters, experience supporting applicable demographics such as women and children, experience collaborating with social services).


• Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies (empathy, compassion, effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and awareness).

Financial Responsibility:

This position has limited overall financial responsibility, however, and may include the following (for tenants and day-to-day operations): budget assistance, expense tracking and reporting, disbursement of client funds, and coordination with managers/financial teams—minor financial tasks related to operational expenses and client support.

Supervision or Training Duties:

This position does not directly train or supervise staff.

Skills and Abilities:

Relevant skills, experience, and attributes required to effectively support populations in a shelter environment.

• Crisis management and problem-solving skills (crisis intervention, de-escalation, sound judgment).


• Organizational and time management skills (case management, record keeping, multitasking).


• Flexibility, Availability (shift work and on-call availability), ethical and professional conduct (adhering to shelter policies, ethical standards, confidentiality, and privacy), knowledge of community resources and networks (awareness of local support services, networking with external agencies), physical and emotional resilience


• Good communication skills.


• Ability to evaluate and monitor client progress.


• Ability to develop and maintain detailed, current, confidential client files.


• Strong organizational and planning skills.


• Strong problem-solving techniques.


• Ability to take initiative.


• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs safely.


• Strong tact and diplomacy.


• Must have strong teamwork and cooperation, service orientation, problem-solving, and judgment skills.


• Ability to work in multi-cultural settings.

Special Requirements:

Must have a current valid Class 5 Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle.
Must pass a Child Care Criminal Record Check.

FoodSafe Certification or willingness to complete FoodSafe Certification

Benefits:

• Extended health, dental, and vision


• 7.6% Registered Pension Plan (RPP) matching and Life insurance

HOURS OF WORK: 4 days on, 4 days off. 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Non-normal shifts may be required.

PAY GRADE: Starting at $25.98 - 30.06 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with Section 16(1) of the Canadian Human Rights Act and pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights code, it is TteS Policy to practice preferential hiring for Aboriginal peoples. Candidates who wish to qualify for preferential consideration must self-identify.

Deadline for the Job posting is July 1^st, 2025 by 2:00 pm

Submit Job Application Form, cover letter, resume, and references

online: https://tkemlups.ca/employment/

or at our Human Resources office #200 - 330, Chief Alex Thomas Way.

Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm &

closed for lunch from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

We require each applicant to fill out

an online application form which can be found at: https://tkemlups.ca/employment/

Any late submissions or submissions without the job application form will not be considered.