Shelter Support Worker

Hours of work: The successful candidates must be available for 12-hour shifts.

Who We Are

At Good Shepherd, we are committed to providing hope and enhancing dignity and self-determination for individuals and families. To learn more about Good Shepherd, visit our website at

Good Shepherd is preparing to launch a new, innovative shelter that will provide emergency accommodation to individuals and domestic partnerships currently living in encampments- we are seeking a Shelter Support Worker.

This housing-focused shelter program, will offer stand-alone units for residents (and their pets) on a City-owned site at Tiffany and Barton Streets.  The program team will provide intensive, adaptive supports and services to residents with highly complex barriers to finding and sustaining housing in the community.

If you have proven experience and are ready to take the next step in your career, we'd love to hear from you This is a unique opportunity to continue to grow with Good Shepherd and to contribute to an impactful new initiative.

How You Will Make an Impact

As a Shelter Worker reporting to the Senior Program Manager, you will provide essential support to clients with complex needs, particularly during emergency situations within the shelter. In this role, you will assist in the development and implementation of support frameworks designed to improve shelter operations. Ideal candidates will have at least one year of experience in crisis intervention, mental health, and addiction support, and be eager to contribute to program development and implementation in emergency settings.

• Support individuals, couples and people with pets who are unhoused in a unique shelter setting
• You will leverage your professional skills, experience and creativity to support people in building and executing individualized, client-directed plans aimed at achieving optimal quality of life and a place to call home
• Contribute to the development of a safe, hospitable program environment
• Provide housing-focused case management services anchored in the principles of Housing First
• Use your skills and experience in providing strengths-based services including referral, advocacy and supportive counselling to assist clients in achieving their goals
• Demonstrate professionalism, as well as excellent communication and documentation skills
• Utilize your knowledge of homelessness, poverty, trauma, mental health issues, substance use, and gender-based violence in offering safe, accessible and respectful care.
• Provide services and supports that are grounded in harm reduction, trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-oppressive frameworks
• Observe all Good Shepherd health and safety rules and work in compliance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations

What You'll Bring to Our Team

• A minimum of one year of experience in the housing and homelessness sector, with a focus on residential settings.
• A diploma or degree in a social service/related field.
• Good knowledge of social service agencies and community resources
• Basic crisis intervention skills and experience, along with a foundational understanding of mental health and addiction support.
• Ability to work in a lower - barrier, housing-focused shelter environment with women, men transgender and non-binary adults - both singles and couples.
• Demonstrated experience working with clients with very complex barriers to achieving and maintaining housing
• Demonstrated ability to provide services to individuals impacted by poverty, trauma, mental health issues and substance use within harm reduction, trauma-informed, anti-racist/anti-oppressive frameworks
• Confident and capable in supporting individuals with animals, ensuring their needs are met with compassion and understanding.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors and in an environment that accommodates pets/animal
• A valid driver's license is an asset for this position.
• Fluency in a language in addition to English an asset

What We Offer

• Be a part of a caring TEAM THAT SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY
• Support for continuing EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Staff recognition programs along with access to self-care supports and EMPLOYEE
• FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
• POSITIVE and ENCOURAGING atmosphere
• Make a difference and provide HOPE

Good Shepherd, a ministry of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, is an equal opportunity employer operating within an anti-racist and anti-oppression framework. We strive to establish workplaces that reflect and are enhanced by the rich diversity of the community we serve.

Good Shepherd welcomes and encourages applications from all people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you need accommodations, please contact Human Resources