Housing Focused Shelter Worker

**About Us**: The Mustard Seed is a Christian Workplace and humanitarian organization whose vision is to build community, grow hope and support change. The Mustard Seed combats the root causes of poverty throughout Alberta and works to create positive, lasting change in the lives of those we serve. The Mustard Seed provides basic services - food, clothing, and shelter, and is now increasing our support services - health & wellness centers, education, and employment coaching, as well as permanent supportive housing to those living in poverty within Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

The Housing Focused Shelter Worker works closely with The Mustard Seed’s participants accessing drop in and shelter program. You will be encouraging guests in their journey and facilitating a safe and respectful space. The Housing Focused Shelter Worker fulfills the mission of The Mustard Seed by maintaining a high level of professionalism, and respect for all who enter the building and neighborhood. Housing Focused Shelter Worker respond to participant needs using a person-centered approach. On an ongoing basis, they ensure guests are supported and cared for. Housing Focused Shelter Worker will be expected to provide advocacy supports to clients by connecting them with internal and external resources. Crisis intervention, meaningful conversations and conflict resolution are daily occurrences for this role.

**Position Type**: Casual
**Schedule**: 12-hour shifts
**Reporting to**: Shelter Manager
**Location**: Red Deer, AB

**MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- As the first point of contact for participants seeking support, you will be expected to provide excellent service that promotes dignity, kindness, and equity for all.
- Through a person
- centered approach, you will encourage guests to seek resources and services that support them in achieving their goals.
- Be a supportive and proactive member of the team, including volunteers and other visitors.
- Enforce participant suspensions when necessary.
- Respond quickly to individuals in crisis, including but not limited to physical or mental health concerns, anger and aggression, and interpersonal crises. The worker must identify the crisis, minimize the harm to the individual and others, use de-escalation skills and assist the individual to explore healthy alternative options.
- Assist with daily meal programs.
- Adhere to the privacy and confidentiality standards as outlined by FOIP and the Health Information Act.
- Use case management & advocacy tools to help shelter/drop-in participants work on short-term and long-term goals including, ID, mental health, addictions & housing.
- Model healthy relationships with community participants and volunteers through active listening, advising, providing appropriate referrals and being open to spiritual conversations.
- Assist with on-site community programing such as AA meetings, art programs, employment trainings, or other events.
- Take initiative and use critical thinking to assess situations and make appropriate decisions to support participants.
- Provide and maintain a safe, clean environment for respite, for adult guests.
- Practice conflict resolution and facilitate reconciliatory conversations.
- Participate in staff training and attend staff meetings and one on ones with supervisor.
- Collect data and maintain accurate records, including incident reports.
- Respect proper boundaries with participants.
- Other duties as assigned

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS**
- 1 year of experience working with a marginalized population
- Experience working within the culture of the inner city and/or with the less fortunate
- A demonstrated passion to be involved in ending homelessness in Alberta is essential
- Follow organizational protocols of front-line programs to completion
- Experience doing case management & advocacy is considered an asset
- Able to multi-task and demonstrate organizational skills with shifting priorities
- Experience working in a volunteer-based organization is considered an asset
- Strong communication (written and verbal) and conflict resolution skills
- Customer service experience an asset
- A self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team
- Strong desire to work with a marginalized and vulnerable population

**WORKING CONDITIONS**
- As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees sign an agreement indicating that they will respect and not detract from our Statement of Faith
- The position will require ongoing compassionate care, frequent manual labor, conflict resolution and organizational ability
- This position is often fast-paced, and requires moderate amount of mental effort to analyze information and problem solve
- This position requires varied mental and emotional effort, must be able to respond appropriately to intense situations, provide conflict resolution, work directly with clients at risk
- This position requires the training on use of two-