Shelter Support Worker

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent's core values and competencies
• Provide support to clients who are facing issues of poverty, mental health, addictions, abuse, and social isolation
• Build rapport and establish professional relationships with guests
• Will work shift work as scheduled in a 24/7 shelter
• Act as Charge Support Worker as assigned, taking the lead for the shift by working with team to assign duties, ensure safety of all, be the “point person” on shift, ensure notes are complete and other duties as assigned
• Perform initial screenings and assess client eligibility for admittance to emergency shelter programs
• Admit clients and assist them to integrate into the emergency shelter environment by providing a tour of the program, explaining the rules and policies, fire safety procedures, and harm-reduction and housing first philosophy
• Ensure safety and well-being of clients and staff by doing regular facility and bed/room checks
• Assess and assist with addressing client's personal hygiene, medical, financial and emotional needs and refer them to appropriate community health, housing and social support services if necessary
• Provide assistance when medical emergencies and other critical incidents occur within the shelter using problem-solving and crisis intervention to de-escalate conflicts
• Research and identify sustainable housing supports and subsidies, affordable legal support services, courthouse processes and etiquette, and income support services, making the necessary community referrals
• Support the development of client life skills, including providing support with parenting skills, budgeting, liaising with landlords, and/or navigating the legal system; support with accessing income support, emergency protection orders, parenting orders, visitation, and navigating family enhancement orders or other forms of Children's Services involvement is also required
• Community Outreach to locate and engage with unsheltered homeless individuals in the community who are in need of support services and who otherwise would not seek assistance; and provide supports to help them stabilize their lives
• Liaise with community agencies and businesses to fulfill program needs and ensure a smooth flow of information and resources
• Transport and/or accompany clients when necessary to viewings, mental health appointments, court appearances, income support appointments, Children's Services case meetings, and/or other relevant appointments
• Complete daily tasks such as cleaning, laundry to keep the program and facility running
• Use sound judgement and discretion to ensure participants receive effective service within a complex legislative and policy environment that incorporates the unique circumstances of each individual participant
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with social assistance recipients experiencing hardship, addiction or mental health issues and housing & homelessness concerns using anti-oppressive practices and with a trauma-informed approach

• College certificate or diploma in social services or other related field, with six (6) months to two (2) years of related experience
• Experience in directly assisting persons with psychosocial, physical, emotional and/or environmental problems in an emergency shelter or similar setting
• Experience addressing the needs of homeless clients or clients at risk of homelessness
• Training and experience in the area of social and community services
• Current knowledge of community services, resources, policies, programs, procedures and issues affecting client population
• Ability to appropriately assess situations and problem solve, and to de-escalate interpersonal conflicts in an effective fashion through crisis intervention techniques using trauma-informed principles
• Experience with Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) computer system is preferred
• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and SharePoint; ability to learn new software programs

• Experience in casework and case management is an asset (i.e. experience working with clients to develop and implement a plan to reach their identified goals)
• Experience using Motivational Interviewing to affect change an asset

• Valid First Aid and/or CPR is an asset
• Motivational Interviewing training is an asset
• Non-Violent Crisis Prevention training is an asset
• Trauma-informed training is an asset

• This position works days, afternoons and night shifts covering shifts over 7 days as scheduled
• This position will be required to work midnight shifts as scheduled
• Able to work rotating shifts for a total of 35 hours per week (plus potential overtime or lieu time) or as assigned

• Walking: frequent walking on level surface (frequently walking to/from shelter rooms/zones, meetings etc.; seldom running in case of emergency/critical inside)
• Sitting: frequently sitting in a chair (frequent sitting in primary shelter locations, meeting locations etc.)
• Standing: frequently standing inside (frequent standing inside to assess and speak with clients, community partners, moving from shelter space to shelter space)
• Hands: frequent fine finger dexterity (movement), mousing (frequent typing and mousing in office and meetings)
• Lifting: up to 40 lbs (lifting of supplies and/or stayers belonging, taking garbage bags out of the dumpster and lifting them into the dumpster, cleaning using vacuum, brooms, mops and bucket

Chatham-Kent