Program Assistant

**Program Assistant**

**(Emergency Shelter Front Desk Support)**

**Family Centre**

If you are looking for a career working with amazing people while helping your community thrive, then this opportunity is for you and we want to hear from you. We urge individuals that have retired, semi-retired, are returning to the workforce, those that are new to Canada, and recent graduates to also apply. At Good Shepherd, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, equal and authentic workplace.

**Who We Are**

The work of Good Shepherd is based on a fundamental belief in providing hope and restoring dignity to the most vulnerable members of our community. Our services include emergency food and clothing; daily hot meals; emergency shelters for men, youth, families, women and children; transitional housing and education for homeless and street-involved youth; hospice palliative care; community mental health programs; and supportive housing programs. This opportunity is with our Good Shepherd - Family Centre.

**Culture and Values**

We _see the good_ in people, not only the challenge. We hear the warmth in their voices. We recognize that we all have potential and promise. Our programs help to tear down the barriers that have impeded our community's most vulnerable citizens and help them to establish a path to a stable and healthy life.

At Good Shepherd, we recognize the inherent value of people living with addiction and their right to quality care and services. Good Shepherd is committed to integrating Harm Reduction practices into our programs and to prioritizing the rights, dignity, and choices of those who use substances. By integrating a Harm Reduction framework at Good Shepherd, we can decrease barriers to service and better support some of our community's most marginalized members.

**_ Hospitality_**, as inspired by St. John of God is at the heart of Good Shepherd's mission. This means that we welcome all people with compassion, acceptance and a spirit of generosity; creating opportunities for transformation. Hospitality embodies our **Values**, **Responsibility, Availability, Adaptability, Quality and Dignity.**

**How You Will Make An Impact**

With a demonstrated commitment to the values of availability, flexibility, adaptability, hospitality and dignity, the Program Assistant will work in an emergency shelter setting serving families from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
- Provide front desk coverage for the shelter, answer phones and doors, greet visitors and residents
- Maintain cleanliness of units and common spaces
- Complete data entry
- Maintain shelter inventory and supplies
- Follow up with maintenance work orders
- Assist with all aspects of program operation
- Preserve the dignity of all persons by communicating in a calm, welcoming, and professional manner
- Work takes place primarily in the emergency shelter however, opportunities arise that may include visits in the community to purchase program supplies, drop off items, or pick up donations
- Must be willing and able to assist the program in a hands-on capacity
- Time management skills are necessary in a high energy, changing environment
- Ability to work independently
- Must be comfortable answering phones and communicating directly with service users
- Responsible for participating in Good Shepherd's Health and Safety programs, procedures, procedures and work in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations to minimize risk to clients, staff and others as well as to the property of the Good Shepherd

**What You Will Bring to Our Team**
- Post-secondary education in Social / Community (or related) field is required
- Minimum 1-year related experience is an asset
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and strong written and oral communication skills required
- Experience with HIFIS or EMHware database an asset
- Fluency in a 2nd language is an asset
- CPR certification or willingness to be certified is required
- Valid G license required
- Committed to anti-racist/anti-oppressive practice and to the mission and values of Good Shepherd
- A respectful and rewarding work environment with ongoing opportunities to grow and learn
- Demonstrated understanding of workplace health and safety practices and understanding of an employee's responsibility under current legislation

**What We Offer**
- Be a part of a caring **TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY**:

- Support for continuing **EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT**:

- Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and **EMPLOYEE / FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM** (EAP)
- **POSITIVE **and **ENCOURAGING **atmosphere
- Make a difference and provide **HOPE**:

- Extended Health Benefits for Full Time Permanent Program Assistant
- Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to es