COSTI’s Hostel Services program offers temporary shelter and comprehensive settlement and housing support to individuals experiencing homelessness, including families, refugees, women fleeing domestic violence, and single adults. Our shelters provide a safe, welcoming, and pet-friendly environment where clients can begin to rebuild their lives.

At COSTI Shelters, we are committed to creating inclusive spaces for individuals, ensuring they feel supported and respected. Through high-quality Housing services and tailored programs, we help residents transition smoothly and integrate into the broader community.

With a longstanding history as one of Toronto’s settlement providers, COSTI takes pride in being a trusted leader in refugee settlement services and support.

This is a full-time, contract position scheduled to work 35 hours per week, morning shift

(7:00 am – 3:00 pm), mix of weekdays and weekends

DUTIES

•       Perform administrative duties for incoming referrals; complete holistic assessment; triage and prioritize clients based on their immediate physical and social needs.

•       Maintain accurate and timely documentation into HIFIS database and CIS in accordance with Shelter Standards and COSTI’s policies and procedures.

•       Complete in-person client intake, discharges and carry out heat treatment procedures as per Shelter Standards.

•       Work directly with clients in all aspect of service necessary for the comfort and safety of individuals accessing shelter services

•       Responsible for ensuring admission files, welcome packages and essential new linens are ready and prepared regularly. 

•       Build rapport with clients using trauma-informed, harm-reducing, culturally safe, and client-centered approaches.

•       Responsible for active screening and access control of shelter entrance.  

•       Liaise and support external agency staff while on site delivering services to clients.

•       Responsible for monitoring dining space and ensuring clients receive meals according to their dietary restrictions.

•       Responsible for sorting and distributing mail/packages, including contacting clients. 

•       Responsible for redistribution of clean linens and completing linen count reports.

•       Responsible for conducting regular patrols, room inspection and wellness checks.

•       Assist clients with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriate.

•       Work cooperatively, respectfully, and constructively with clients, team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders.

•       Assist with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the management team.  

•       Undertake other related and/ or delated duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

•       Minimum 2-years Community College Diploma in Social Service Worker or Community Service Worker, or a combination of post-secondary education in human Services or equivalent.

•       Minimum 1-year fulltime experience working in shelters with considerable experience in assisting persons who are homeless and experiencing psycho/social/physical, emotional and/or environmental challenges in congregated setting.

•       Demonstrate ability to work within a system of care approach to assess diversion or entry to the shelter and provide coordinated access to the shelter system if appropriate.

•       Ability to manage administrative duties associated with shelter operations, ensuring compliance with guidelines and policies through continuous monitoring and evaluation.

•       Trained experience using database, and compiling monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.

•       Demonstrate knowledge of Refugee determination process and related legislation.

•       Understanding of and commitment to working from a harm reduction, anti-oppression, and trauma-informed care approach.

•       Knowledge of current issues related to homelessness, including working with street-involved individuals, Housing First, addiction, social housing, alternative/supportive housing, mental health, and community support etc.

•       Knowledge of working with Indigenous population.  

•       Given the possibly traumatic nature of events encountered in the course of duties, must exhibit resilience, and demonstrate a commitment to wellness.

•       High-level proficiency in desktop applications including Microsoft office, excel, outlook and Teams

•       Ability to communicate effectively and tactfully both oral and written.

•       Fluency in a second language is an asset.

•       Ability to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment and recognize emergency situations.

•       Ability to routinely lift, carry, and stack items up to 25 lbs.

•       Ability to work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays.

•       Required to provide a valid Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) Police check. The VSS must have been completed within the past 6 months.

•       Valid Naloxone, CPI/UMAB and Standard First Aid/CPR/AED certification

LOCATION:                                        Barrie St. & Holland St. West        

START DATE:                                   August 17, 2026, to March 31, 2027

STARTING SALARY:                        $47, 810 to $ 50, 124 per annum plus benefits POSTING DATE:                               July 10, 2026

CLOSING DATE:                              July 24, 2026

Priority consideration will be given to those on Notice of Recall.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their resumes and cover letters as one file quoting reference #92-26 to the below link:

https://wd10.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/costi/Costi_Careers/job/Holland-St-W--Barrie-St/Shelter-Support-Person--Morning-_