Position Summary

The Support Worker provides emergency shelter and support to homeless members of the community. Many may have mental health issues and/or substance use issues and may or may not be accessing social supports Shelter services include: a bed, food, assistance with basic First Aid and generally supporting residents who are dealing with complex bio-psycho-social issues. The Support Worker is also responsible for the daily operations of the shelter including cleaning of the shelter space, showers, washrooms, and offices; laundry, food service, preparing bedding space and maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and residents. The Support Worker will coordinate shelter intakes and will maintain communication between shifts regarding people’s housing plans. The minimal barrier nature of the shelter requires flexibility and excellent engagement skills. The Support Worker actively participates in building a skilled, cohesive, collaborative staff team, including demonstrating commitment to program principles; resolving conflict and negativity as they arise; assisting in orienting, training, and mentoring of all staff, including casuals and peer supports. The Support Worker must be available for work during their meal period.

Job Competition # cas2025.079          

Closing Date: Midnight, May 02, 2025

Job: Relief Support Worker, Sechelt Shelter, Casual

Hourly Range: $31.56 – $33.28 (BCGEU, Grid 34)       

Work Site: 5653 Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, BC     

A clear British Columbia Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check for working with vulnerable adults and/or children is a condition of employment with RainCity Housing. Applicants must be willing and able to receive a clearance under the Criminal Record Review Act.

Program Summary

Sechelt Shelter provides emergency shelter and supports to 20 individuals, 19 and over, who are experiencing homelessness on the Sunshine Coast. The shelter is staffed 24/7 with 2 community support workers. The shelter also provides drop-in services to folks who may be without a home and need supports, these supports include the Sunshine Coast’s only Overdose Prevention Site (OPS). We view the shelter as an opportunity to promote dignity, social justice, and increased citizenship for members of our community who come from a wide variety of backgrounds but who currently do not have a place to call home.

QUALIFICATIONS

Many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering, and lived experience of mental illness/addiction/homelessness. Minimum education and experience include:

• A Diploma in community social services.
• Two (2) years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.

Key Skills and Abilities

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships.
• Identify and work to increase people’s strengths.
• Work with people using hope-inducing strategies.
• Informally teach harm reduction, life skills
• Implement client-centred service plans.
• Respond to problematic behaviour using an understanding of the behaviour's context and function.
• Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals.
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment, and support resources 
• Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction.
• Knowledge of diagnoses, treatment, and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, HIV and Hepatitis C.
• Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and program models for special needs populations.
• Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization as related to chronically homeless individuals.