POSITION: Shelter Worker
Status: Full-time, permanent AND part-time, permanent
Description
YWCA Cambridge is looking for Emergency Shelter Workers who are committed to our mission, vision and values and keen to help us launch this new shelter initiative. Through a partnership with Grace Bible Church a new temporary emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness will open in Cambridge later this Fall.
Reporting to the Shelter Manager, Shelter Workers provide support to women experiencing homelessness in a shelter model designed to provide a safe, warm, supportive space for women and gender-diverse individuals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using an integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive and trauma informed perspective, the Shelter Worker will assess the needs of women and offer supports that include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, brief goal planning, and programming; while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values.
Job Duties:
- Works with women to identify & support their personal goals and objectives; to achieve immediate stabilization and wrap around support needed
- Provision of basic needs, harm reduction supports and support with serving meals as needed
- Liaises with community partners including Emergency Services, Housing Providers, Housing First Programs, hospitals;
- Conducts initial intake, assessments for the woman accessing services;
- Provides crisis intervention and counseling support;
- Works with the Shelter Staff Team to provide a range of social work supports including goal setting, developing safety plans related to violence, addictions and/or mental health, crisis intervention, counselling support and advocacy;
- Offers referrals and assists clients in navigating services and housing in the community;
- Advocates on behalf of women;
- Data collection of outputs, outcomes and attendance and record keeping;
- Prepares program and cleans areas used for the program;
- Cleans biohazardous fluids as required;
- Performs general housekeeping duties including but not limited to completing laundry and room turnover;
- Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Cambridge Health and Safety policies and procedures,
- Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA) Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights and Employment Standards Act (ESA);
Skills and Qualifications:
- Must have post-secondary education in Social Work/Social Services or related field or equivalent experience or lived experience;
- Committed to advocating for and supporting women and gender expansive communities within a harm reduction approach;
- Experience working with marginalized women experiencing trauma, mental health, health and substance use struggles;
- Proven experience in crisis management and de-escalation techniques;
- Knowledge of social housing and shelter system in the Region of Waterloo;
- Experience working in a diverse community or setting;
- Ability to bring a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective to work;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Good knowledge of community resources;
- Ability to work from a trauma informed practice;
- Ability to work a schedule rotation which includes days, early mornings, afternoons, evenings, overnights and weekends based on program needs;
- Must provide a current Vulnerable sector police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
The current hourly rate for this position is $24/hour (with a $2/hour shift premium for overnight shifts). The location of this job is Cambridge, Ontario and it will be an in-person, on site position.
Interviews will take place on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Interested candidates should send their resume before 4:00 pm on October 31, 2024 to:
Roz Gunn, Director of Communications and Advocacy
102-55 Dickson Street
Cambridge, ON
N1R 7A5
r.gunn@ywcacambridge.ca
We thank all those who choose to apply for this position but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.