Casual Shelter Support

Safe Harbour Society is adding to our Casual team supporting the Shelter.

**Emergency Shelter**

Safe Harbour Emergency Shelter (SH) is a low-barrier, housing focused, recovery-oriented shelter that serves some of the city’s most vulnerable people. At SH, we focus on providing a person’s basic needs, while doing everything possible to find them a permanent safe home that meets their individual needs. There is no greater contribution you can make to another person’s path of recovery and wellness than an ongoing, consistent, positive relationship of respect and kindness. Safe Harbour works within the core values of housing focused, recovery oriented, trauma informed care and harm reduction to support our guests. Rooted in a community that embraces each of its members, Safe Harbour provides spaces of welcome and connection to our guests, our organization, and our community.

**Position Summary**

Reporting to the SH Team lead, the role of a Shelter Support Worker (SSW) is to engage with guests and support them on their journey out of the shelter. Through both formal and informal interactions, the SSW will actively work collaboratively with other SSW’s, Social Diversion Housing, and health services to ensure everyone accessing the services of SH is supported on their own personal journey. The SSW will conduct themselves in a professional manner and work within the core principles of SH; low barrier, housing focused, recovery oriented, trauma informed care, harm reduction, individual centered, shelter procedures and governing legislation. The SSW will be a rotating role, meaning all SSW’s must be able to work all shelter positions at anytime during a shift.

**Time Commitment**

As a causal, you may be working a day shift, 7 am to 7 pm or a night shift 7 pm - 7 am. Casual's are expected to work a minimum of 2 shifts per month.

**Job Duties and Responsibilities**
- Adhere to Safe Harbour Policies and Procedures
- SSW’s will conduct themselves in a professional manner when interacting with guests, members of the community, emergency services and staff of SH.
- All interactions with guests will be trauma informed and client centered.
- Maintain a presence in the building and clearly communicate the guidelines of the centre to guests, members of the community, emergency services and staff of SH.
- Pick up garbage from around the building, change garbage bins when required.
- To be engaged and present on assigned posts to assist guests and staff who need assistance and to help provide a safe environment for all.
- Actively participate in all required training
- Communicate issues such as health and safety, staffing, guest and public concerns through the appropriate process.
- Call for assistance from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and/or Police Services (RCMP) when necessary.
- Perform duties as outlined in in the procedure manuals or assigned by the Team Lead

Some, but not all may include;
- General wellness checks
- Specific location checks
- Cleaning duties/Bathroom
- Laundry duties
- To promote a mutually supportive “team environment” which emphasizes a collaborative approach and one which values the contributions of all members, including front line support staff, guests, and management. Debriefing situations and/or critical incidents with team members and/or Team Lead as they arise will promote open and respectful communication.
- Monitor guests at regular intervals throughout shift and document all relevant information - i.e. unusual behavior/irregular activity, withdrawal symptoms.
- Monitor shelter environment for safety - observe and assess agitation levels among guests to defuse potentially risky situations.
- Ensure all incidents are properly documented and any concerns/recommendations are communicated to Team Lead
- Provide emotional support in moments of crisis to guests and try to get them connected with long term solutions.
- Keep up to date on community resources and/or agencies that may assist or benefit guests in achieving goals.
- Provide guests with information about harm reduction, detox and/or treatment options, housing, employment opportunities or training, and financial assistance as requested.

**Administrative**
- Review communication logs.
- Maintain and record data as required for the position; some, but not all may include Completion of guest check-ins to specific areas.

**Required Competencies and Qualifications**
- Completion of (or working towards) a college or university program in any of the following: Human Services, Community Support, Social Service Work, Addictions and Mental Health or a related discipline
- Current CPR and Standard First Aid Certificate
- Overdose Response training.
- Police Criminal Record/ Vulnerable Sector check (Current at hire date)
- Previous work experience in a social service environment is a definite asset.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent professional boundaries
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Abi