Position details
- Location: 2 Grand Ave S, Cambridge ON N1S 2L2
- Status: Full-time, permanent
- Hours: Fixed rotation – Friday to Monday, 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM (4 × 10-hour overnight shifts)
- Start date: ASAP
- Rate: $24.00/hr., this position is eligible for an overnight shift premium of $2.00/hr
About the role
As a Shelter Worker, you’ll be on the front line of our emergency shelter, providing safe space and wrap-around support to women and gender diverse individuals experiencing homelessness. Using an integrated feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed approach, you’ll assess each individuals needs and provide crisis intervention, support, all while upholding YWCA Cambridge’s vision, mission, and values.
This role is meaningful, challenging, and never the same day twice. If you’re passionate about advocating for women and gender-diverse individuals and bringing a harm-reduction, sex-work-positive lens in your approach, we’d love to meet you.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct intake and assessments for women accessing the shelter
- Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and supportive counselling
- Work alongside each woman to identify and pursue her personal goals
- Develop safety plans related to violence, mental health, and substance use
- Provide basic needs support, harm-reduction supplies, and meal service as needed
- Advocate on behalf of women and connect them to community resources
- Liaise with community partners including Emergency Services, housing providers, Housing First programs, First Connect, and hospitals
- Maintain accurate records, including data on outputs, outcomes, and attendance
- Complete housekeeping duties: laundry, room turnover, program area cleaning, and cleaning biohazardous fluids as required
- Participate in team meetings, training, and ongoing professional development
- Work safely and report any workplace hazards in line with YWCA Cambridge Health and Safety policies
What You Bring
- Post-secondary education in Social Work, Social Services, or a related field or equivalent lived experience
- A commitment to advocating for women and gender-diverse individuals through a harm-reduction, sex-work-positive lens
- Experience working with marginalized women navigating trauma, mental health, health, and substance use challenges
- Proven crisis management and de-escalation skills
- Working knowledge of the social housing and shelter system in the Region of Waterloo
- Experience in diverse community settings
- A strong feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive analysis
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Solid knowledge of local community resources
- Ability to practice from a trauma-informed perspective
- Availability for a rotating schedule including days, evenings, overnights, and weekends
- A current Vulnerable Sector Police Check (or willingness to obtain one at your own cost)
Working Conditions
We want to be upfront about what this role involves:
- 40 hours per week on a rotating schedule including overnights and weekends
- Work can take place in high-conflict situations that may be hostile or violent at times, requiring active resolution and safety planning
- The work is emotionally demanding and requires strong self-awareness, boundaries, and use of available supports
How to apply
Apply through our Indeed posting by submitting your resume and cover letter outlining the skills you’d bring to this role.
Application deadline: May 26, 2026
This Position is for an existing vacancy within the Shelter. We do not use AI technology to assist in the screening and selection process.
YWCA Cambridge is committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQ+, and disabled candidates, and from people with lived experience relevant to our mission. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process, Please let us know what you need.
We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.