Shelter Support Staff

**Position Overview**

The INN St. Thomas-Elgin seeks to provide safe, temporary shelter to individuals 16 and over while

supporting all basic human needs and reducing barriers to obtain housing. This position supports the basic

needs of shelter clients.

Reporting to a Program Manager, Shelter Support Staff ensure service delivery has the highest quality

outcomes for all those using The INN. Shelter Support Staff are exceptional in providing services to clients in a welcoming, supportive manner, taking care to work from trauma-informed and person-centered modalities.

**Education Requirements**

Diploma in one of the following:
Social Service Work

Addictions & Mental Health

ASIST/SafeTALK, NVCI, and Food Safety Handler Certificates are an asset.

Equivalent education and work experience in Mental Health, Addiction Care, Housing and Homelessness sectors may be considered.

**Conditions of Employment**
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Fully vaccinated for Covid-19 (at least 2 vaccines)
- Clear and current Vulnerable Sector Check from the employee’s local police service at own expense. Original document with seal or secured digital format are required.
- Valid First Aid CPR, AED level C certificate

A Shelter Support Staff must expect to use situational awareness and professional skills to address and respond to escalated clients and medical emergencies while preforming their duties, deferring to on-site security as needed. Due to the complexity of each unique client’s needs, healthy boundaries and self
- care are required to maintain emotional and physical well-being in this role. The tasks in a Shelter Support Staff role at The INN require physical movement such as:

- Alternating sitting, standing, walking or running at will
- Crouching, kneeling, stooping
- Push, pull movements
- Reach above, at or below shoulder level
- Navigate stairs regularly, up and down
- Lift and carry up to 25lbs

**Key Responsibilities**

Professional Expectations
- Exemplify and actively promote a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment to all individuals accessing services, partner agencies, volunteers and community members.
- Adhere to the Staff Code of Conduct, upholding and enforcing all policies and procedures.
- Work collaboratively with team members, on-site security, partner agencies, and volunteers to promote exemplary service delivery.
- The INN is a housing focused shelter where clients are provided supports unique to their individual needs and goals to find appropriate housing. Shelter Support Staff assist in directing clients to Housing Focused Case Managers for support in this area.
- Participate in diversion processes for ineligible individuals.
- Offer prevention resources to those with precarious housing seeking support when appropriate.
- Documentation, including but not limited to, case notes, identifying client information, incident reports, and other internal documentation are to be maintained and kept confidential to industry standards and internal policies.

**Engagement & Collaboration**
- Laise with all other agencies and individual workers in a collaborative, professional and welcoming manner. Ensure referrals are appropriate based on eligibility criteria. Maintain respectful advocacy on behalf of clients.
- Receive donations from the community, properly acknowledging, documenting, and processing items for use.

**Professional Development & Accountability**
- Participate in staff meetings, individual supervision and performance reviews by program managers, and internal training.
- Maintain open and respectful communication between all team members and leadership, advising leadership of any improvements in efficiency, working conditions, or procedures.
- Participate in ongoing professional development and training as required.

**Housekeeping**
- Carry out daily operations including light housekeeping duties to maintain the general cleanliness of The INN. Being responsible for the contents, upkeep, and tidiness of supplies.
- Ensure The INN property (keys, phone, radios, etc.) are always accounted for and monitored during client use of items that belong to The INN, reporting any issues to management.
- Ensure supplies for clients such as clothing, hygiene products, and first aid supplies are restocked, advising management prior to supplies running out.
- Complete bed and locker turn-over procedures as required.

**Health & Safety**
- Work closely with onsite team members and security, advising management of any safety and security needs.
- Report immediately to management all workplace injuries or illnesses. Report all hazards and dangers immediately to management.
- Follow all safety and security protocols as outlined in the policies and procedures manual.
- Work in a manner as required by the employer and use the prescribed safety equipment and personal protective equipment correctly.
- Make regular rounds on all floors of The INN facility to ensure clients are safe and aware that staf