Coordinated Entry

**_Coordinated Entry Program - Relief Staff_**

**_ Start Date - Immediate_**

**About SORCe and Distress Centre Programs**

The Safe Communities Opportunity and Resource Centre (SORCe) is a multi-agency collaborative that connects individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness to essential programs and services.

As the backbone agency, Distress Centre Calgary (DCC) leads service integration at SORCe while also providing direct support. DCC operates the Coordinated Entry Program, the primary intake, assessment, and referral hub for housing and other services, including System Navigation & Referrals, CAA housing strategists, financial empowerment, and Justice Navigation.

DCC ensures cohesive collaboration among all partners, strengthening system navigation and community connections. Through its leadership and direct services, DCC helps prevent homelessness, reduce barriers to housing, and enhance integration across the social services sector.

**About Distress Centre Calgary**
- For over 50 years Distress Centre has served Calgary and Southern Alberta, providing 24-hour crisis support, information, and resources at no cost. Distress Centre does not define crisis. We do not judge. Anyone can call us day or night.**_
Job Objective_**
- We are seeking dedicated and compassionate Relief Frontline Staff to provide critical, on-call support to individuals at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. This role will focus on either system navigation or participant engagement and triage, depending on the shift and site. Relief staff contribute to a safe, welcoming, and responsive service environment by engaging participants, assessing immediate needs, providing essential resource referrals, and maintaining lobby flow and safety.
This is a relief position supporting two in-person service locations:
- SORCe (Safe Communities Opportunity and Resource Centre)
- Journey Church Day Space in Tuscany

**Primary Duties**
- This is not an exhaustive list of duties, but meant to give you a sense of what you’ll be doing on a regular basis. Other related duties may be required.**Participant Engagement, Triage, and Lobby Support (as needed)**
- Welcome individuals into the space using an assertive engagement and trauma-informed approach.
- Monitor participant flow, manage lobby activity, and implement safety protocols as required.
- Conduct initial assessments to determine urgency, provide crisis support, and de-escalate behaviours when needed.
- Respond to critical incidents such as drug poisonings or medical distress, following site-specific protocols.

**System Navigation & Resource Support (as needed)**
- Serve as the first point of contact to assess needs and connect participants to appropriate services.
- Ensure accurate and timely data entry in the HMIS database, with participant awareness and consent.
- Provide knowledgeable referrals using both on-site and external community resource systems.

**Collaborative & Operational Support**
- Work collaboratively with all partner agencies at the service sites, including SORCe and Journey Church collaborative partners.
- Maintain shared service environments (e.g., supplies, space organization).
- Participate in onboarding, training, and cross-functional coverage as

**Hours of work and conditions**
- Relief staff are called in as needed and may be asked to work at either service site depending on coverage needs.
- Shifts occur primarily during daytime hours, Monday through Friday, but may occasionally include other times based on service demand.
- Work is conducted in dynamic, fast-paced environments with potential exposure to challenging behaviours or crisis situations.
- Training in universal precautions and specialized service delivery for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or addictions.
- Collaborative work with site staff, volunteers, and external partners.

The duties and responsibilities outlined above are representative but not all inclusive. Other related duties as required.**_
What you bring to the role:_**

**Qualifications/Experience**
- Diploma or undergraduate degree in a human services field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Demonstrated experience in crisis assessment, intervention, and de-escalation in high-pressure or unpredictable environments.
- Experience working with individuals facing complex barriers including homelessness, addiction, mental health, and/or domestic violence.
- Familiarity with housing-focused service delivery and system navigation practices.
- Strong knowledge of local community resources within and beyond the homeless-serving system.
- Knowledge and experience with Indigenous cultures, supporting Indigenous individuals and communities, and navigating social services for Indigenous peoples is an asset.

**Skills/Abilities**:

- Strong interpersonal communication skills; able to build trust with diverse individuals.
- Highly adaptable, with strong organiza