Shelter Worker

Relief/Casual Shelter Worker

• This is a unionized role with has no guaranteed hours
• The candidate must be available for evenings (4pm-12am), overnights (12am-8am) and weekends (12 hour shifts from 8am-8pm and 8pm-8am)
• The candidate must provide bi-weekly availability (monthly preferred) and be willing to work at least 1 in every 3 shifts offered.

Job Summary: Work with participants of the shelter to provide a safe, secure and clean environment, offering support directly or by arranging for assistance with partner agencies, under the direction of the Shelter Supervisors. Provide diversion services to all in need who call or email for support. Provide administrative support and regular reporting as required.

Accountability: Able to affirm The Lighthouse's vision, mission, and beliefs and demonstrate commitment to its values of trust, compassion, leadership, safety, and faith, including sensitivity to issues related to poverty, homelessness, mental illness, addictions, and developmental disabilities, and a commitment to a discrimination-free environment.

Responsibilities:

Participant Relational Management

• Help to build positive relationships that are healthy and supportive while presenting oneself in a professional manner.
• De-escalate participants and help them work through the issues that are causing problems including conflict resolution between participants.
• Focus on participants' needs with a non-judgmental attitude.
• Ensure expectations, policies and procedures are followed.
• Promptly address any behaviours that could lead to harm to themselves or others, or any behaviour that goes directly against the agreed upon program expectations, using a person-centered, trauma informed approach.
• Record and report any and all issues related to behaviour including what was done to support the participant and any follow up that is required.
• Answer phones and emails and provide diversion.
• Using best practices of a person centred approach, make decisions around the services provided to participants including those accessing shelter and being selected from the triage list.
• Supervise meal service and provide support.
• Exhibit appropriate professional boundaries with staff, volunteers, and participants.

Safety

• Sign out and wear an emergency kit with a panic button during the entire shift and return and sign back in before leaving.
• Do frequent circle checks of the inside and outside of the building being sure to check under stairs and in common areas.
• Ensure the cameras are all in working order and continue to use them throughout the shift to monitor for any issues.
• Record and report any safety concerns promptly.
• Call on call on duty if a serious occurrence occurs.
• Meetings with participants should be done in the office or common room or with two staff.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Assists with meal clean up as required.
• Clean all common areas each shift and as needed including sweeping and mopping.
• Clean and sanitize all high touch surfaces each shift and as needed.
• Clean staff, communal and public bathrooms each shift and as needed.
• Clean the youth office and common room each shift and as needed.
• Clean the laundry room each shift while completing laundry services.
• Clean storage as needed.
• Ensure participants are cleaning their areas and assisting where needed.
• Ensure donations are put in the appropriate spaces as required.
• Put out garbage, recycling and green waste as required.
• Record and report any maintenance issues promptly.

Community Resources and Supports

• Assist participants to connect to appropriate community resources (emergency services, mental health and other crisis supports, etc.).
• Assist in ensuring the participants are following the steps of their individualized plan, in coordination with the Housing Navigator, Empower Simcoe Housing Coordinator and other team members as determined by their goals.
• Provide administrative duties, including accepting and recording donations.

Reporting

• Complete HIFIS reporting on all pertinent data which includes but is not limited to intake, VI-SPDATS, discharges, housing history, case notes and services offered.
• Record the triage list, nightly logs, participant attendance and important information.
• After performing tasks, initial/sign indicating that they have been completed.
• Assist with the reporting on supplies for purchase as needed and as directed.
• Record and report on any of the above directly to the supervisor as required.
• Create reports as requested by direct supervisors.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Social Service Worker Program, or equivalent preferred.
• WHMIS and First aid/CPR are required during employment.
• Crisis Intervention (NCVI or CPI) and Mental Health First Aid training is an asset.
• Excellent customer service, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Flexible and adaptable with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Clean criminal record check, including vulnerable sector screening.
• High standard of integrity, judgement and confidentiality, with a passion to end homelessness and be a good role model.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution, advocacy skills, understanding of harm reduction, trauma-informed support skills and a person-centred approach.
• Adequate computer skills, including Google Drive and database navigation.
• Effective communications skills, both written and verbal.

NOC#42201

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be used to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position by analyzing application materials and generating recommendations to support human decision-making.

Job Type: Casual

Pay: From $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• On-site parking

Education:

• DCS / DEC (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• CPR/First Aid Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person