Shelter Team Advocate

Full Time (Contract) YWCA Team Advocate

Location: Niagara Region (all 3 shelter locations)

Salary: $26.25 per hour

Hours of Work: 11pm-7am hours per week, including every Friday and Saturday.

Training: Must be available to train 3 shifts, business hours during weekdays.

As one of the largest provider of Housing Focused Shelter in the Niagara Region, the YWCA Niagara Region offers innovative housing programs and services that provide hope for womxn and their families living in poverty.

The YW provides shelter, food and assistance to homeless womxn and their families. Our dedicated staff provides exceptional care and support for the women and their families who turn to us. The YW offers staff a challenging and collaborative environment as we work to create meaningful change for homeless individuals.

To complement our Housing Focused Shelter program staffing component, the YW is looking for exceptional team players, who are compassionate, non-judgmental, and have a high work ethic to join our team. This role requires the ability to travel to all three of our locations in the Niagara Region.

Position Summary

The Advocate position will report to the Manager of Shelter Services to assist in the operation of the housing focused shelters in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Duties include the following: maintaining appropriate record keeping, completing intake/discharge forms, maintaining security for guests/staff/facilities, goal setting and referrals to other community partners, promoting co-operative living, and participating in housekeeping duties, including occasional food preparation and cleaning. This position offers the opportunity to also support our Anti Human Trafficking shelter, Safer House, providing support to human trafficking survivors.

Responsibilities:

• Provides appropriate professional understanding and intervention in response to emotional, behavioural, physical needs of shelter guests.
• Responds with Crisis Intervention in situations of physical confrontation, and medical and psychiatric emergencies for womxn who have recently experienced trauma
• Provides support to womxn through a trauma informed framework
• Maintains and supervises established routines and procedures.
• Completes intakes and discharges on a 24-hour basis
• Assists clients to establish and achieve individualized goals in a housing focused setting
• Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills.
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding client information.
• Works collaboratively with community agencies, providing referrals and follow-up as necessary.
• Participates in shift change procedures and staff meetings as required, shares information in a respectful, non-judgemental manner.
• Exercises good judgement and discretion in dealing with confidential information.
• Completes all necessary documentation, including written records/reports and provides statistics as requested.
• Understands health and safety standards, regulations, policies and procedures and complies with them.
• This position includes working every weekend unless alternate coverage is arranged.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Completion of 2 years' college in social work or human services, or equivalent
• Minimum one (1) year experience working with the homeless and/or marginalized individuals or equivalent training.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking and a self-directed working style
• Understanding of anti-oppressive, feminist, low-barrier and trauma informed frameworks.
• Ability to effectively intervene with conflict and crisis.
• Reliable transportation and the ability to drive on shift.
• Mental Health First Aid, CTI & ASSIST training considered an asset.
• Level C First Aid and Vulnerable Screening Clearance (Police Check) Required upon hiring.

At the YW, we consider our employees our biggest resource and asset. If you are looking to join a team that shares a passion for equity and that is working towards creating social change together here in Niagara, you have come to the right place We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 11 months

Pay: $26.25 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Wellness program

Work Location: In person