Join Beacon Community Services as a Community Representative & Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Coordinator and contribute to a coordinated community response that supports people experiencing homelessness during extreme weather. If you value collaboration and work with a clear community purpose, we’d love to hear from you.
Days/Hours of Work: Part time/flexible seasonal hours, with availability outside regular business hours as required at an average of 20 hours per week.
Location of Work: Sidney / Saanich Peninsula
Term: Approximately October 15 to April 15
Position Summary The Community Representative & Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Coordinator is responsible for coordinating Beacon Community Services’ community and operational responsibilities within the BC Housing-funded Extreme Weather Response program.
As the designated Community Representative, the Coordinator monitors weather forecasts and local conditions and activates and cancels EWR alerts in accordance with the approved Community EWR Plan. BC Housing identifies the Community Representative as the community lead responsible for monitoring weather conditions and activating and cancelling EWR alerts based on locally established criteria.
As EWR Coordinator, the position supports operational readiness, staffing coordination, communication, documentation, community partnerships and reporting to ensure the EWR shelter can activate safely and efficiently when required.
This position requires significant flexibility. Extreme weather and shelter activations can occur outside regular business hours, and priorities may change quickly based on weather, staffing and operational circumstances.
While coordination is the primary function of the position, the Coordinator is also part of Beacon's operational contingency response. When minimum staffing levels cannot otherwise be achieved, the Coordinator may be required to provide direct EWR shelter coverage, including evenings, overnight shifts, weekends and statutory holidays.
Key Responsibilities 1. Community Representative & Weather Monitoring Monitor weather forecasts and changing local conditions throughout the EWR season.
Assess forecast and observed conditions against the activation criteria contained in the approved EWR Community Plan.
Make timely decisions regarding the activation and cancellation of EWR alerts within the authority of the Community Representative.
Maintain appropriate documentation of weather monitoring and activation/cancellation decisions.
Communicate EWR activations and cancellations promptly using established notification processes.
Monitor changing conditions during active weather events and adjust coordination as required.
2. EWR Operational Readiness & Coordination Coordinate seasonal readiness before EWR operations begin.
Support readiness of the approved EWR shelter site.
Coordinate EWR activation with Beacon leadership, shelter staff and other designated personnel.
Ensure required operational supplies, equipment and resources are available.
Support the development and maintenance of staffing plans and schedules.
Monitor staffing capacity and proactively identify potential coverage gaps.
Communicate anticipated activations as early as practicable to support staffing and site preparation.




Respond to emerging operational issues and escape significant risks or concerns to management.
Support deactivation and transition following EWR events.
Participate in operational debriefs and recommend improvements for future activations.
3. Staffing & Direct Shelter Coverage Support recruitment, onboarding, scheduling and deployment of seasonal EWR staff as assigned.
Maintain current staff contact and availability information.
Proactively work to address anticipated staffing gaps before an EWR activation.
Contact available staff and work collaboratively with management to resolve unexpected staffing shortages.
Ensure appropriate staffing information is communicated to the operational team.
Where reasonable staffing solutions have been exhausted, provide direct shelter coverage when necessary to maintain safe operational staffing levels.
When assigned to shelter coverage, perform the responsibilities of EWR shelter staff and comply with all applicable Beacon policies, procedures, safety requirements and documentation expectations.
Remain available, when required, for evening, overnight, weekend and statutory holiday operational coverage.
Direct shelter coverage is an operational contingency responsibility and is not intended to replace the routine scheduling of dedicated EWR shelter staff.
4. Community & Partner Coordination Act as a primary point of contact for EWR community coordination.
Build and maintain effective relationships with participating community organizations and stakeholders.
Maintain current community partner, staff and emergency contact information.
Distribute activation, cancellation and operational information in accordance with the EWR Community Plan.
Ensure partners have timely and accurate information regarding available EWR services.
Participate in EWR planning and community coordination meetings as required.
Support coordinated problem‐solving when community or operational issues arise.
Refer media inquiries according to approved Beacon and EWR communication processes.
5. Documentation, Administration & Reporting Maintain complete and accurate EWR program records.
Ensure activation, occupancy, staffing and operational documentation is completed as required.
Review documentation for accuracy and completeness and follow up when information is missing.
Maintain organized records of activations and program activities.
Support tracking and reconciliation of program expenditures and staffing costs.
Support preparation and maintenance of the annual Community EWR Plan and budget.
Complete or coordinate BC Housing reports and other required program submissions.
Participate in end‑of‑season program evaluation and reporting.
Maintain appropriate confidentiality and information management practices.
6. Service Quality, Safety & Accountability Promote a safe, welcoming,



accessible and respectful environment for people accessing EWR services.
Apply person‑centered, trauma‑informed, culturally humble and harm reduction approaches to the work.
Demonstrate dignity, compassion and respect in interactions with people accessing services.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Recognize and respond appropriately to health, safety and operational risks within the scope of the position.
Follow Beacon policies, procedures and occupational health and safety requirements.
Escalate significant incidents, risks or concerns promptly.
Demonstrate accountability for assigned responsibilities, decisions, communication and documentation.
Contribute to continuous quality improvement of the EWR program.
Qualifications Education & Experience A combination of education, training and experience in human services, homelessness services, emergency response, community development, program coordination or a related field.
Preference may be given to candidates with:
Experience in homelessness, emergency shelter, housing or community‑based services.
Experience coordinating programs or services involving multiple community partners.
Experience supporting people experiencing homelessness and/or other vulnerabilities.
Experience coordinating staff, schedules or operational resources.
Experience with program administration, record keeping and reporting.
Frontline shelter experience.
Experience working within publicly funded or contract‑funded programs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Strong organizational and coordination skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication.
Strong judgement, critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
Ability to interpret weather information and objectively apply established activation criteria.
Ability to work independently and make timely decisions within established authority.
Ability to manage multiple and frequently shifting priorities.
Ability to anticipate operational needs and take proactive action.
Ability to remain calm and organized during rapidly changing circumstances.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
Ability to establish collaborative working relationships with staff, community partners and government funders.
Understanding of homelessness and barriers affecting people accessing emergency shelter.
Knowledge of person‑centered, trauma‑informed, culturally humble and harm reduction practices.
Competence using Microsoft Office, email and electronic documentation systems.
Working Conditions & Availability The weather‑dependent nature of EWR requires flexibility throughout the season.
The position may require:
Regular weather monitoring throughout the EWR season.
Availability for time-sensitive activation and cancellation decisions.
Work outside regular business hours.
Evening, overnight, weekend and statutory holiday availability.
Response to urgent staffing or operational concerns.
Participation in a backup/on‑call coverage structure.
Direct frontline shelter work when staffing levels cannot otherwise be maintained.
Frequent adjustments to schedules and priorities in response to changing weather and operating conditions.

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📌 Community Representative & Extreme Weather Response Coordinator (British Columbia)
🏢 Beacon Community Services
📍 British Columbia