Shelter Counsellor

**Hours of Work**: 3:00pm - 11:30pm on rotation including two weekends a month

**Position Description**

The Shelter Counsellor is responsible for providing practical support to all residents and ensuring the smooth operation of the shelter. A main focus of the Shelter Counsellor, in collaboration with the rest of the team, is to create and monitor strength based individualized plans with each woman staying in the shelter to help facilitate meeting her needs/goals. This position will be under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director of Shelters and under the general supervision of the Directors of Women’s Housing.

**Responsibilities include**

**Service Delivery**:

- Provide all care, advocacy, counselling, and listening from a trauma informed care lens;
- Build therapeutic relationships with all residents;
- Actively work towards developing familiarity with Indigenous cultural traditions and engagement with Indigenous people and communities.
- Provide practical support for all aspects of resident stays;
- Ensure the well-being of all women and children by maintaining a clean facility;
- Provide information, education, referrals, and support to the residents as needed;
- Collaborate with Outreach Coordinators and other Shelter Counsellors to create individualized plans for each resident and family;
- Provide referrals and advocacy to ensure that residents have necessary support to deal with barriers regarding housing; and
- Support women and families in preparing for their move into housing including helping them to arrange utility hook up, financial planning, food planning, locating furnishings, community mapping, and developing a housing preservation plan to reduce the risk of future homelessness.

**Administration and Operations**:

- Answer shelter phone and record all calls, screen requests for entry and respond to information requests;
- Complete intake and departure process with each woman/family;
- Maintain accurate case management and stats keeping records;
- Maintain accurate records in the HIFIS and/or WSIS database;
- Assist with transportation as needed and available;
- Assist with the daily operation of the shelter including but not limited to the sorting of donations, cleaning, sorting and upkeep of toys, and assisting with the groceries and food inventory; and
- Participate in Women’s Housing training opportunities as a part of continuous improvement.

**Qualifications**:

- Experience working with Indigenous peoples and cultures and an understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples;
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Justice Studies, or other human service field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Demonstrated experience working with the complex needs of people experiencing homelessness;
- Knowledge of the child welfare system, income assistance programs and criminal justice systems, trauma informed care, and family violence is essential;
- Ability to work independently and with a team;
- Accurate record-keeping ability and basic computer skills (knowledge of HIFIS would be an asset);
- Good communication and organizational abilities;
- Crisis intervention skills;
- Cultural awareness, and respect for women and children of various backgrounds;
- Class 5 driver’s license; and
- Valid First Aid/CPR certification

**YWCA Regina Employment Benefits**:

- Employer Paid RRSP Contribution - after three-month probation
- (12) YWCA Stat Holiday Days
- Paid vacation days, based on hours worked
- Paid sick days, based on hours worked - with carry over
- Employer paid benefits plan with the option to enhance at mínimal employee cost - after three-month probation
- Use of YWCA vehicle as needed for work purposes

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: $22.80-$27.71 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Evening shift
- Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Regina, SK: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- First Aid Certification (preferred)
- Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-04-03