Job Summary
The Housing Shelter Support Worker plays a vital role in creating a nurturing atmosphere of home and family, where all are welcome. This position requires the ability to work independently and collaboratively with residents, shelter users, and community contacts.
The successful candidate will possess strong problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to employ behavior management techniques and work in an intense and challenging environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Assist with all aspects of resident support plan development and delivery of services, in collaboration with Team Lead/Site Supervisor and support team if applicable.
2. Develop rapport and trusting yet professional relationships with residents.
3. Assist with 'Meet and Greet' of prospective residents and new resident/shelter user intakes.
4. Perform wellness checks.
5. Participates in the set-up of shelter upon arrival and clean up before end of shift.
6. Distribute harm reduction supplies, personal hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, meals, etc. to residents.
7. Assist residents with activities such as room cleans; clean out vacant rooms.
8. Assist with appropriate applications and referrals (for example, Income Assistance, other housing permanent housing supports and support team referrals).
9. Develops and implements short-term, issue-specific intervention plans within program guidelines by one-on-one support, in consultation with the Site Supervisor and/or with any outside agencies, such as ACT teams, detox and treatment programs.
10. Evaluates the effectiveness of the intervention plan, reports on clients' progress, and discusses related concerns with the Supervisor in order to resolve identified problems and move towards defined objectives.
11. Gathers information relevant to the client's problems, needs, and risks by interviewing, observing behavior, meeting with any other service providers, and using a variety of inventories, checklists, and questionnaires. Reviews the information gathered to identify problems, needs, and risks.
12. Plans, prepares, and conducts basic individual counselling sessions using techniques such as active listening, conflict resolution, basic psycho-educational group methods to resolve identified problems, needs, and risks.
13. Maintain an active file for each assigned resident. This includes electronic log notes for all pertinent interactions and observation. Maintains all records and statistics and provides reports to the Supervisors as required.
14. Outlines services provided by the program and provides information on referrals to other community service providers, resources, and professionals as required.
15. Use various influential techniques guided by social work standards and methods to clients that are resistant to support and intervention.
16. Assist with laundry as needed and maintain on-site laundry rooms.
17. Support residents with developing independent life skills such as household management, medication management, socialization, money management, decision-making, time management, etc.
18. Maintain a working knowledge and understanding of laws and legislation which affect our residents such as Mental Health Act, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, Human Rights.
19. Utilize de-escalation skills to mitigate challenging situations and maintain a safe and calm environment.
20. Maintain professional boundaries while displaying empathy and compassion.
21. Respond to medical emergencies including overdoses. Provide emergency first aid such as administering naloxone and performing CPR. Provide non-emergency first aid such as minor wound care.
22. Liaise with partner agencies and other professionals/support teams. Participate in cross-agency working groups as required.
23. Accompany residents to meetings and appointments as required.
24. Complete Incident Reports according to procedure.
25. Ensure that violations of the program agreement are addressed and followed up on, in collaboration with the team and Team Lead / Site Supervisor, as necessary.
26. Collaborate with team on how to engage residents, utilizing a Team Approach as needed. Recognize and utilize each team member's strengths to provide the best support for residents.
27. Ensure that all room inspections and follow-ups are completed according to the schedule.
28. Oversee resident volunteer work and disperse honorariums according to the program guidelines.
29. Accompany facilities staff and contractors while performing maintenance work in resident rooms.
30. Ensure the staff office(s) is/are clean and tidy as well as all other common and shared spaces.
31. Participate in cross-agency working groups as required.
32. Work alongside volunteers by assisting in the orientation, support, and assignment of duties to fulfill their roles serving residents for OPS.
33. Clean rooms as needed when residents move out, wearing appropriate PPE. This can include dealing with human wastes, blood, sharps, and other paraphernalia.
34. Plunge toilets and deal with leaks, wearing appropriate PPE. This can include dealing with human wastes, blood, sharps, and other paraphernalia.
35. Oversee that any signage is kept up to date and is changed as needed, avoiding 'sign noise' and any inappropriate signage.
36. Report all maintenance needs and requests in a timely manner according to procedure.
37. Assist in custodial and maintenance tasks as directed by the Team Lead / Site Supervisor.
38. Assist with the collection of statistical information for reporting requirements.
39. Awareness of critical incident report procedures and follow all health and safety policies and procedures. Work with OPS Occupational Health and Safety team to ensure that all staff work in a safe manner. Report all staff injuries to the Site Supervisor, ensuring appropriate paperwork is filled out.
40. Uphold all OPS policies and procedures.
41. Refer all media requests to the Director of Communication.
42. Understand and follow the Good Neighbor Agreement established for your site (if applicable).
43. Understand and follow the VicPD/OPS Cooperation agreement and liaise with Community Resource Officers as needed.