Casual/Relief Somenos Transition House Support Worker

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

Position Title: Relief Somenos Transition House Support Worker

Reporting Relationship: Transition House Program Manager (Somenos House)

Hours: As needed including evenings and weekends Employment Type: Casual/Relief

Work Location: Confidential (On-site at Somenos House)

Hourly Wage: $28.03

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society (CWAVS) is seeking relief Transition House Support workers. The Transition House Support Worker provides specialized crisis intervention and trauma-informed support to women, children, and gender-diverse survivors residing at Somenos House and those accessing the 24/7 crisis line. This role supports the immediate safety, stabilization, and overall well-being of residents through emotional support, safety planning, advocacy, and practical assistance.

This position also contributes to the daily operations of the shelter program, supporting a cooperative living environment, maintaining program documentation and upholding safety protocols. The Support Worker actively models CWAVS’s anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, and decolonizing values, including participation in the Cedar Blankets Indigenization initiative to promote cultural and psychological safety for clients and staff.

What CWAVS Offers:

- A collaborative, values-driven workplace grounded in Safety, Dignity, and Connection.
- On-Call flexibility.
- Competitive compensation aligned with experience and qualifications.

What You Will Be Doing: Client Services & Crisis Intervention

- Provides trauma-informed, strengths-based crisis response to residents and callers on the 24/7 crisis line.
- Conducts intakes, needs assessments, and safety planning (individual and family-focused).
- Offers practical assistance, advocacy, and referrals to housing, health, justice, and community services.
- Supports survivors with complex needs, including mental health, substance use, and housing instability, in ways that centre choice, dignity and self- determination.
- Responds to emergencies and critical incidents with calm, clear decision-making.

Case Documentation & Communication
- Maintains accurate, objective case notes, incident reports, and client files.
- Ensures consistent shift handovers and communication with team members.
- Tracks crisis line and program service data including contributions to funder and board reporting as required.

Cultural Safety & Cedar Blankets
- Models cultural humility and embeds Cedar Blankets practices in all interactions.
- Supports cultural and spiritual needs of clients in collaboration with Indigenous partners.




- Participates in training and reflective practice to strengthen reconciliation and decolonization work.

Program Operations & House Rhythm
- Contributes to creating a cooperative living environment including the facilitation or support of resident house meetings.
- Supports a shared responsibility for maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming living environment, including shared housekeeping tasks.
- Participates in program meetings, training, and team development activities.
- Provides coverage for colleagues as required to support continuity of care and services.

Health, Safety & Compliance
- Follows all occupational health and safety (OHS/JOHS) protocols, including incident reporting and hazard identification.
- Participates in emergency drills (fire, earthquake, lockdown) and maintains First Aid/CPR certification.
- Upholds CWAVS’s privacy, confidentiality, code of conduct, and mandatory reporting responsibilities balancing legal obligations with trauma-informed and ethical practice.

Our Ideal Candidate Brings: Education & Certifications:

· Diploma or degree in a related human services field, or a combination of relevant education, lived experience and frontline crisis work.

· Current First Aid/CPR (Level C) certification.

· Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.

· Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence and clean driver’s abstracts.

Demonstrated Skills

- A minimum two (2) years’ experience supporting survivors of gender-based violence, trauma, or crisis.
- Demonstrated skills in trauma-informed crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning.
- Experience working in residential or shelter programs, or on crisis lines, preferred.
- Familiarity with local services and referral networks an asset.

Position Requires: · Strong anti-colonial analysis and anti-oppressive, trauma-informed practice.
- Demonstrated understanding of reconciliation, decolonization, and cultural safety.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including de-escalation and motivational interviewing.
- Ability to maintain accurate documentation and professional boundaries.
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to work effectively in a quick-paced, emotionally demanding environment with appropriate supports.




- Flexibility to work a variety of shifts and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work compassionately and safely with individuals who may use substances, engage in self-harm, or experience other health-related concerns.

Working Environment

- 24/7 residential program; shift work including evenings, overnights, weekends, and tending to crisis line calls.
- Regular engagement with distressing disclosures and crisis situations with access to supervision, debriefing and wellness supports.
- Light physical activity may be required (lifting up to 20kg, household tasks, room set-up).
- Participation in regular supervision, training, and debriefs to mitigate vicarious trauma.

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 a cover letter to:

Email: [email protected]

Subject line: Your Name – Relief Transition House 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.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We thank all applicants; however, only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $28.03 per hour

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Vision care

Education:
- Secondary School (preferred)

Experience:
- Transition House: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:
- First Aid Certification (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Casual/Relief Somenos Transition House Support Worker (Duncan)
🏢 Cowichan Women Against Violence (CWAV) Society
📍 Duncan