JOB TITLE: Term Full-Time & Part-Time Shelter Support Worker

JOB SITE(s): Richmond South Arm Winter Shelter & Richmond Brighouse Winter Shelter

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Richmond Winter Shelters

JOB SUMMARY:

The Progressive Housing Shelter Support Worker provides a range of supports, serving homeless/at-risk individuals. Services include a bed, food, and general support of clients who may be facing complex bio-psycho-social issues. The Shelter Support Worker is also responsible for the daily operations of the facility, including: intaking new participants into the program; food service; updating client records; communicating effectively with clients and other staff; and maintaining a clean, safe, and secure environment for staff and clients by participating in regular and timely needle sweeps. The Shelter Support Worker will coordinate with the Outreach Team and maintain communication between shifts about participants’ housing plans. The minimal barrier approach of the site will require excellent and flexible engagement skills. The Shelter 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. Flexibility may be required to meet the needs of the clients & mandate of the program.

EMPLOYEE CATEGORY: Full-Time & Part-Time, Term (until April 4, 2027, contingent upon final funding approval)

TERM DATES:

SOUTH ARM - Anticipated from November 1, 2026, to April 4, 2027, contingent upon final funding approval

BRIGHOUSE - Anticipated from November 15, 2026, to April 4, 2027, contingent upon final funding approval

SALARY RANGE: Grid 33 – HEU – Community Subsector

NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 6 (six) vacancies

SOUTH ARM

- Part-Time - Friday - Monday | 19:45-23:45

BRIGHOUSE

- Full time - Saturday - Wednesday | 23:30-07:30
- Full-Time - Monday - Friday | 23:30-7:30
- Part-Time - Sunday - Thursday | 19:45-23:45
- Part-Time - Tuesday - Saturday | 19:45-23:45
- Part-Time - Friday - Monday | 19:45-23:45

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Diploma/Certificate in Social services or health care or any other related discipline with:




- 2 years related experience with emphasis on mental health, substance use, homelessness and/or social services
- Naloxone Training.
- Provincial Violence Prevention Training is considered an asset.
- Knowledgeable about various mental health conditions, including Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, De-colonized harm reduction, Mental health first aid, Trauma-informed care, and suicide prevention training is an asset.
- Successful clearance of a criminal record check.

An equivalent combination of education and experience, including lived experience, may be considered.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Providing Services for clients, including a bed, food, and general support of guests who may be facing complex bio-psycho-social issues.
- Responsible for the daily operations of the facility, including pick up and drop off clients at the designated locations, intaking new participants into the program, updating client records, communicating effectively with clients and other staff, and serving clients with a dignified trauma-informed lens.
- Coordinating with the outreach team and maintaining communication between shifts about participants’ housing plans, connecting them to resources such as the ministry, CRA, medical services, ID retrieval, and iHart.
- Reading the daily team communication book at the start of each shift and writing notes if needed by the end of each shift.
- Re-stocking supplies, carrying and sorting donations and orders.
- Assisting in the de-escalation of clients who are in crisis, contacting emergency services (RCMP, Fire, Ambulance) immediately in life-threatening situations such as major illness or injury, and following emergency team direction for action.
- Observing and monitoring the clients and their setting each shift and reporting physical, cognitive, or behavioural changes to supervisors.
- Distributing harm reduction and hygiene supplies.




- Encouraging & motivating the clients through trust building, sharing, and companionship.
- Recording and reporting all accidents/incidents to the shift supervisor, which include injury and near injury.
- Identifying and reporting all potential safety hazards, such as faulty equipment, wet floors, light bulb replacement, etc.
- Cleaning and maintaining the working area by means of sweeping, washing, vacuuming, and emptying garbage/recycling bin, assisting in cleaning up bodily fluids, including blood, urine, feces & vomit by upholding the health and safety protocols.
- Monitoring one's own level of transfer trauma from working with clients, as well as working with team members to support each other during times of crisis, and help promote self-care to prevent burnout.
- Assisting in all organizational changes (ex. building moves, program relocations, etc.), including moving client items and program supplies.
- Attending and participating in staff meetings, trainings, and other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Extensive knowledge and experience in working with marginalized groups of people living with mental health and substance use.
- Extensive knowledge in harm reduction and overdose response (Naloxone), as well as Knowledgeable about current trends in illicit substances.
- Strong communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
- Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Active listening and the ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
- Outstanding patience, tolerance, and anger control.
- Ability to identify effective methods of behaviour control and compensatory strategies.
- Ability to follow directions and instructions.
- Emotionally resilient and compassionate.
- Positive and friendly attitude.

***Keeping in line with our mandate of a low-barrier approach, all of our sites are animal-friendly ***

Pay: $33.46 per hour

Expected hours: 16.0 – 40.0 per week

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Application question(s):

- Keeping in line with our mandate of a low-barrier approach, all of our sites are animal-friendly, are you comfortable with this?

Licence/Certification:

- First Aid Certification (preferred)
- Naloxone Certificate (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Full-Time & Part-Time Shelter Support Worker (Richmond Winter Shelter)
🏢 Progressive Housing Society
📍 Richmond