Shelter Care Specialist

SALARY: CAD 23.60 HOURLY
- PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 4, 2024
- EXPIRY: DECEMBER 4, 2024
- ONSITE
- CALGARY, ALBERTA
- TEMP
- SOCIAL SERVICES

**Summary**:
The Children’s Cottage Society, established in Calgary in 1986, provides emergency shelter, crisis nursery, community respite, and family support programs to more than 3,500 children a year. The Society’s mission is to “Building strong children and safe, nurturing families through prevention programs and support services” and our vision is “Resilient children blossom in healthy families.”

**Description**:
**THE CHILDREN’S COTTAGE SOCIETY: BRENDA’S HOUSE**
**SHELTER CARE SPECIALIST, RELIEF**
**Competition #BH-SCSR**

**This position will run until March 31, 2025**

**JOB POSTING**
The Children’s Cottage Society, established in Calgary in 1986, provides emergency shelter, crisis nursery, community respite, and family support programs to more than 3,500 children a year. The Society’s mission is to “Building strong children and safe, nurturing families through prevention programs and support services” and our vision is “Resilient children blossom in healthy families.”

Brenda’s House is an emergency shelter program for homeless families that supports transition into housing using a “housing first” model of service. Brenda’s House has been in operation since February 2009 and provides shelter and support services to 14 families at a time.

**HOURS/WAGE**:
Coverage as needed to support the shelter and client needs between 6:30am and 9:30pm, days, evenings and weekends. Shift lengths vary from 3 hours to 10 hours. The Hourly Wage is $23.60.

**JOB PURPOSE**:
This position will be responsible for supporting families while in the shelter to develop/maintain healthy living habits to ensure a smooth transition back into their own home. The position will also be responsible to support community families who cannot access the shelter when it is at capacity and provide them with alternative supports. Staff will provide immediate basic needs resources, goal planning, and support to ensure families can avoid entering the shelter.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Diploma in a Human Services field with related experience
- Minimum one year experience working with families with complex needs; experience in a residential program setting is an asset
- Experience working with vulnerable and/or homeless families
- Experience helping families with stressful situations
- Understanding of solution-focused support, family homelessness issues, and community resources for families
- Understanding regarding serving the needs of families from diverse backgrounds
- Comprehensive knowledge of family-related community resources and services
- Current Standard First Aid and CPR level C certification
- Current Suicide Intervention training certification
- Brain Story Certification Course (online training)
- Indigenous Awareness Teachings
- Diversity Training
- Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
- NSQ Training is an asset
- Proficient computer skills

**SKILLS**:

- Have a thorough understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction best practices
- A strong understanding of a housing focused shelter
- A strong understanding for prevention and diversion work is an asset
- Skills in developing and maintaining community partnerships
- Assessment and referral skills
- Ability to collaborate and coordinate with colleagues
- Understanding of solution-focused support, family homelessness issues, and community resources for families
- Understanding regarding serving the needs of families from diverse backgrounds
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Teams, and Outlook
- Basic skills in Microsoft Excel
- Experience using HMIS, ETO, or a similar client database is an asset
- Ability to type answers while interviewing clients over the phone

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Phone screening, Intake and follow up
- Respond to calls from families experiencing homelessness or imminent loss of housing, offering supportive and non-judgemental assistance and information regarding shelter access and community resources
- Over the phone, screen for eligibility with respect to Brenda’s House and other agency services
- Document all calls and follow-up contacts
- Administration
- Work collaboratively with Housing Support Workers
- Work collaboratively with agency Triage Team
- Manage resident access to facility and greet all visitors and volunteers at the door
- Provide support to the team by scanning documents, filing, and following up on referrals
- Monitor when vacant rooms are ready for occupancy and organize admissions for new placements.
- Ensure the Communication Log is accurate and up to date
- Maintain client files and ETO data system entries
- Interact with families in shelter on a daily basis
- Provide non-judgemental, family centered, and strength-based service
- Work as part of a team to provide support to families staying in the shelte