Temporary Cedar Branches Shelter Support Worker

Location: Quw'utsun Territory (Cowichan Valley, BC)

Position Title: Shelter Worker (Temp)

Reporting Relationship: Reports to Program Manager

Hours: 32 Hours a week, Thursday-Sunday 2pm – 10pm

Employment Type: Temporary, benefited after probation per CWAVS policy

Location: Duncan

Hourly Wage: $28.03

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society (CWAVS) is seeking a Shelter Support Worker to provide direct overnight support within a low-barrier emergency shelter serving women experiencing homelessness and housing instability. This role contributes to safety, dignity, and connection through relational, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction-based support.

Working within an anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, and culturally secure framework, the Shelter Worker supports women navigating poverty, substance use, violence, colonization, and complex health challenges. The role centers respectful engagement, consistent presence, and clear communication across shifts to maintain a stable and welcoming environment.

This role combines frontline support, safety monitoring, and practical daily living assistance and is relational, values-driven work that prioritizes autonomy, boundaries, and non-judgmental care within a collaborative team setting.

What CWAVS Offers:

- Temporary full-time position (32 hours per week)
- A collaborative, values-driven workplace rooted in Safety, Dignity, and Connection
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience and qualifications

What You’ll be Doing: · Build trusting, non-judgmental relationships with shelter participants

· Maintain a welcoming and protected overnight environment within a 24/7 low-barrier shelter

· Complete hourly wellness checks and maintain communication logs between shifts

· Support basic needs including meals, laundry, and cleanliness across the three-story shelter

· Respond to crises using trauma-informed and de-escalation approaches

· Collaborate with team members to uphold shelter guidelines and shared safety expectations

· Support participants in accessing services, resources, and referrals

· Maintain accurate documentation using email and basic computer systems





· This position does not include staff supervision or team leadership. Should program needs evolve in the future, responsibilities may be reviewed in alignment with organizational structure and funding.

· Work collaboratively with coworkers to ensure continuity of care and consistent participant support

Our Ideal Candidate Brings:

· A calm and grounded approach in emotionally complex situations

· Commitment to harm reduction, housing-first, and trauma-informed practice

· Ability to navigate conflict using non-violent communication and clear boundaries

· Strong interpersonal communication and observational skills

· Organizational and documentation skills

· Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and email communication

· Physical stamina for active work within a multi-floor shelter workplace

Essential Qualifications:

· Emergency First Aid with CPR-C (or willingness to obtain)

· Satisfactory vulnerable sector criminal reference check in accordance with CWAVS policies and funder requirements

· Naloxone training (or willingness to obtain)

· Familiarity with trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, and harm reduction

· Basic computer literacy for logging and documentation

Preferred Assets:

· Experience in a shelter or frontline support environment

· Understanding of the impacts of colonization, gender-based violence, and housing insecurity

· Experience supporting individuals affected by substance use or mental health challenges

· Lived or community-based experience supporting women affected by violence or marginalization

Work Environment:

This role includes direct overnight service in a busy low-barrier shelter setting. The work involves supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, violence, substance use, and complex health needs. The position requires sound judgment,



consistent boundaries, situational awareness, and the ability to balance compassion with safety in a high-trust confidential environment.

Cedar Branches is a 24/7 shelter with 22 beds and limited overnight drop-in capacity. Outreach support and connections to community services are integrated into shelter operations. Staff work from a “do no further harm” philosophy, maintaining dignity while supporting safety and stability.

About Cowichan Women Against Violence Society:

CWAVS has been serving the Cowichan Valley for over 45 years, providing shelter, crisis response, counselling, advocacy, and prevention services. Our work is grounded in safety, dignity, and connection, and we are committed to fostering a workplace where staff feel supported, respected, and able to do meaningful work together.

We value lived experience and recognize multiple pathways to expertise.

Equity, Accessibility & Accommodation

CWAVS holds a special program exemption under the BC Human Rights Code that allows the prioritization of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) candidates for this position. We strongly encourage Indigenous applicants and individuals from diverse equity-seeking groups, including BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities, to apply.

We are committed to creating a culturally safe, accessible, and inclusive workplace. Accommodation in the hiring process and employment is available upon request.

How to apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to:

Email: [email protected]

Subject line: Your Name – Cedar Branches Shelter Support Worker

If you are unsure whether your experience is an exact match, you are welcome to apply. CWAVS values lived experience and recognizes multiple pathways to expertise, including knowledge gained through community work, caregiving, and personal healing journeys.

This position will remain open until it is filled. We thank all applicants; however, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $28.03 per hour

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Temporary Cedar Branches Shelter Support Worker (Women's Shelter) (Duncan)
🏢 Cowichan Women Against Violence (CWAV) Society
📍 Duncan