185, Community Worker, Sechelt Shelter6

**POSITION TITLE**: Community Worker
**PROGRAM**: Sechelt Shelter
**UNION**: BCGEU
**SALARY**: $26.42/hour (BCGEU grid 34) + $2.50/hour as a premium for night shifts.
**TYPE**:Permanent, Part-Time, 0.8 FTE
**SCHEDULE**: Wednesday-Saturday, 11:30pm - 7:30am; includes a half hour unpaid meal break
**START DATE**: As soon as possible

**ABOUT US**

RainCity Housing is an organization that makes a difference in people’s lives. With a goal of providing a home for everyone, RainCity’s programs sustain relationships, strengthen communities and make change for people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues. We invite you to be a part of the change.

**DIVERSITY**

RainCity Housing serves a diverse group of people and we need a staff group that reflects the diversity. People of diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.

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The Community Worker provides emergency shelter and support to homeless members of the community. Many may have mental health issues and /or substance use issues and may or may not be accessing social supports Shelter services include: a bed, food, assistance with basic First Aid and generally supporting residents who are dealing with complex bio-psycho-social issues. The CW is also responsible for the daily operations of the shelter including cleaning of the shelter space, showers, washrooms and offices; laundry, food service, preparing bedding space and maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and residents. The CW will coordinate shelter intakes and will maintain communication between shifts in regard to people’s housing plans. The mínimal barrier nature of the shelter requires flexibility and excellent engagement skills. The CW actively participates in building a skilled, cohesive, collaborative staff team, including demonstrating commitment to program principles; resolving conflict and negativity as they arise; assisting in orienting, training and mentoring of all staff, including casuals and peer supports. The Community Worker must to be available for work during their meal period.

**PROGRAM SUMMARY**

Sechelt Shelter: To decrease barriers to access, RainCity Housing policy is to accept couples, dogs, shopping carts/possessions. Our teams work within an anti-oppression framework that welcomes people back inside with dignity and a genuine curiosity about who they are. Excellent facilitation/engagement skills, creativity and a strong analysis of the impacts of poverty and marginalization are required. We view these shelters as an opportunity to promote dignity, social justice and increased citizenship for members of our community who come from a wide variety of backgrounds but who currently do not have a place to call home.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness; Minimum education and experience includes:

- A Diploma in community social services or other relevant training
- Two years of related experience with emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services.
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification.

Key Skills and Abilities - for supporting people receiving our services
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships
- Identify and work to increase people’s strengths
- Work with people using hope-inducing strategies
- Informally teach harm reduction, life skills
- Implement client-centred service plans
- Respond to problematic behaviour using an understanding of the behaviour's context and function
- Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals.
- Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources
- Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction.
- Knowledge of diagnoses, treatment and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, HIV and Hepatitis C.
- Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and program models for special needs populations
- Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization as related to chronically homeless individuals.

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

**Salary**: From $26.42 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Vision care