Frontline Shelter Worker

**Choices Youth Shelter **is a growing, community-based, non-profit charitable organization that is focused on providing shelter and outreach support for at the risk and homeless youth in Dufferin County. We are recognized in the community for our commitment to providing a safe environment and access to services to help individuals achieve independence and foster growth.

Our mission is to be a safe and supportive resource within Dufferin County that offers an alternative to living on the street and supports youth in their transition to a productive and bright future.

We have a dedicated team working hard to achieve the following goals:

- Develop and promote community support for youth which will ensure their successful integration into the community as productive members
- Provide emergency housing in Dufferin County and surrounding areas
- Create awareness of support for the homeless throughout Dufferin, while creating and developing strong community partnerships
- Provide opportunities to develop life skills within the community through access to education and community support to build positive self esteem and empowerment
- Adapt as the needs of the community change

Reporting to the Shelter Director, the Frontline Shelter Worker will be responsible for supporting youth ages 16 to 24 residing within the shelter. They will spend an abundance of time on the floor in the shelter.

They will ensure that the agency’s goals, policies and procedures are met and adhered to. The individual will ensure that strategic goals established are translated into practical action.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Review all documentation from previous shifts and complete shift exchange with other frontline shelter workers
- Ensure all COVID procedures are being followed
- Supervise activities of the residents while on shelter property and document arrival and departures
- Complete intake information packages with new residents
- Answer all phone calls and deal with inquires or refer to the appropriate staff member as required
- Monitor phone usage of residents as per shelter policy
- Prepare and serve meals and snacks to residents as outlined on the weekly menu
- Coordinate and work with other front line shelter workers
- Perform light case management
- Complete daily residential comment sheets and attendance forms as required
- Complete incident reports as required and record in the incident binder
- Responsible for cleaning of the house daily
- Support with shelter inventory and organization
- Assist in compiling reports as necessary
- Enter information into HIFIS (the shelter database system)
- Collaborate with residents in developing supports and opportunities to increase or develop new skills needed to support success, satisfaction, and quality of life
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to quality care and service delivery based on CHOICES’s Vision, Mission, and Values
- Perform additional duties as required/delegated

**Qualifications**:

- Diploma or degree in Social Service Worker or related field or equivalent work experience
- Experience providing full cycle support, coaching, and counselling is an asset
- Ability to build lasting professional relationships with residents and community partners
- Excellent administrative skills including case management and computer use
- Experience working with youth and multi-barriered or underserved communities is an asset
- Applied computer skills (Microsoft Office, Client Information Systems, Web browsing)
- Experience and sensitivity in dealing with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and invisible dimensions of diversity
- Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to work without direct supervision in a team environment
- Proficient in MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)
- A vehicle, valid driver’s license, and adequate insurance coverage
- Valid certification in First Aid & CPR
- Training in ASIST and CPI

**Working Conditions and Physical Requirements**:

- Hours for this position are flexible, but are not guaranteed as this position provides shift coverage to our full time staff which may include Days, Evenings, Overnights, weekends and holidays
- Able to work well with internal and external clients
- Able to drive, walk (site locations) regularly
- Able to sit for prolonged periods of time
- Able to answer and communicate telephone calls and general computer use
- Computer screen use (multiple screens if applicable) for prolonged periods of time
- Able to lift up to 20lbs (product, documents, etc.)
- Travel by vehicle to community sites for client support as required

**Application Instructions**:
**COVID-19 Considerations**:
As part of Choices Youth Shelter's commitment to health and safety, it is a condition of employment that you be fully vaccinated (2 doses, including 14 days since your second dose) against COVID-19