Overnight Warming Centre Worker

**Main Purpose & Function**

The Orillia Overflow Overnight Warming Centre Worker position reports to the Outreach & Warming Centre Supervisor. The Warming Centre Worker is responsible for the service delivery of the day to day operations of the Orillia Overflow Overnight Warming Centre. They will lead volunteers in providing support to participants accessing the Orillia Overflow Overnight Warming Centre in the City of Orillia which is operated by The Lighthouse in conjunction with non-profit partners. The Orillia Overflow Overnight Warming Centre Will operate on an as needed basis from 9 PM to 7 AM.

The Warming Centre Worker role works overnight and is to help with maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for individuals to access shelter and indoor warming spaces. **The Orillia Overflow Overnight Warming Centre** operates as a life saving measure for the purpose of providing shelter to marginalized populations who are experiencing homelessness and may also live with challenges related to substance use, mental health, physical and/or cognitive disabilities and other issues related to poverty and marginalization.

This front-line position carries out a variety of duties in a calm professional manner, supporting participants with basic needs, including shelter and food. Warming Centre Workers will assist participants with referrals to other services when appropriate. Service delivery will include the monitoring of participant behavior, incident response, crisis management, and response with de-escalation methods to ensure a safe and secure environment for all participants. The position is responsible for monitoring centre access, enforcing policies and procedures, performing routine janitorial duties, supporting participants and maintaining records and reports including incident reports and participant attendance reports as required, and engaging with participants to provide feedback as requested. This is a seasonal position with no guarantee of hours. When extreme weather is determined by The Weather Network or on any night it is determined that the Warming Centre will be opened when it is -10 C, Warming Centre Workers will be expected to be available for work that night.

The Warming Centre Worker reports to the Outreach & Warming Centre Supervisor.

**Specific Duties & Responsibilities**
- Set-up and take down of/warming centre operations at the beginning and end of the night.
- Operation of the warming centre program during overnight operation in the absence of the Supervisor.
- Problem-solving overnight in the absence of the Supervisor.
- Liaising with other organizations or stakeholders as needed.
- Maintains a safe, healthy, and positive environment for staff, volunteers, patrons, and community members and shelter guests.
- Ability to create a warm and welcoming environment that is sensitive to the needs of the marginalized population served.
- Works tactfully and compassionately with individuals who may use substances and/or be isolated through poverty, homelessness, mental illness, or other factors of social exclusion.
- Exhibits appropriate professional boundaries with staff, volunteers, and patrons.
- Presents oneself in a professional manner that demonstrates the values of community agencies.
- Ensures warming centre policies and procedures are followed and communicates concerns in a calm, clear and compassionate manner.
- Deals confidently and respectfully with volatile and unpredictable situations including those in which mental health and addiction issues are factors.
- Monitors access to the warming centre and regularly monitors the environment, participants and all accessible public spaces in the facility on a regular basis.
- Maintains paper and electronic records including incident reports, log book, and attendance reports.
- Engages with participants to provide feedback, when requested.
- Performs routine janitorial duties as required.
- Administers basic first aid and maintains applicable records.
- Makes referrals to community agencies as needed.
- Monitors and reports any facility issues including maintenance, cleanliness, and pest control issues as required.
- Demonstrated ability working as a team member.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**

Education and Experience:

- Post secondary education or experience in the social service industry
- Related experience working with vulnerable populations
- First Aid Level 1/CPR required.
- Additional training and qualifications in safe talk, mental health first aid, and other related qualifications considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

- Working knowledge of the community and social service agencies and programs in the area.
- Understanding of and commitment to individuals experiencing homelessness who may also suffer from issues related to substance use, mental health, physical and/or cognitive disabilities and other issues related to poverty and marginalization.
- Conflict and de-escalation skills