24-Hour Services Shelter Worker

Fred Victor Centre•Toronto, ON

3d•CA$0 - CA$29•Onsite

About The Position

Fred Victor's 24-Hour Services department includes emergency and transitional shelters, Women’s 24-Hour Drop In, 24-Hour Respite, and the Edward Hotel Temporary Shelter programs. Edward Village Hotel, a temporary Shelter operated by Fred Victor, is an emergency shelter with specialized supports for homeless women, men and couples who face barriers due to mental health issues, substance use, social isolation, immigration status, unemployment/underemployment challenges and history with the criminal justice system. The clients come from racially, culturally, and ethnically diverse backgrounds who can access on site enhanced case management and housing services, mental health and addictions counselling, trauma informed care support, harm reduction interventions provided by staff and Peers, access to primary health care and referrals and continuous one-on-one check in supports. The main goal of the program is to assist clients with securing permanent affordable and safe housing with service connections to the community of their choice.

Requirements

1-2 years of direct experience in a shelter setting.
Direct experience working from a client-centered, trauma-informed, harm reduction approach with chronically homeless adults, including those who come from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds and/or experience barriers to services due to physical and/or mental health, substance use, social isolation, abuse, trauma, sexual orientation or gender identity, history in the criminal justice system, status, etc.
Understanding of systems that cause and support homelessness, poverty, and discrimination.
Strong skills in crisis intervention and conflict resolution with sound problem solving and decision-making skills under pressure.
Knowledge and awareness of the housing first approach.
Knowledge of community-based resources for low-income people.
Strong written, interpersonal, and oral communication skills.
Strong assessment, informal counseling, analytical, and group facilitation skills.
Highly developed ability to plan and prioritize work, while remaining adaptable and flexible.
Ability to network with external agency staff to meet client needs.
Ability to work productively both within a team setting and independently.
Ability to constructively give and receive feedback.
Ability to work with limited direct day-to-day supervision.
Strong computer literacy and proficiency in SMIS and Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Valid First Aid/CPR Certificate, and CPI (Non-violent Crisis Intervention).

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience working with homeless individuals from a client-focused approach.
Demonstrated experience in working with people living with serious mental health/substance use issues.
Demonstrated commitment to working through an anti-Black racism, anti-oppression, trauma-informed lens.
Excellent crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills.
Highly developed communication skills, both written and oral.
Demonstrated ability to follow policies, procedures, and adhere to legislation.
Exceptional computer skills, and experience with SMIS and Microsoft 365.
Familiarity with Toronto Shelter Standards.

Responsibilities

Support the team with daily operations such as undertaking administrative tasks in the main office, participating in shift change, performing meal deliveries, performing hourly room checks and building rounds, bagging up rooms, disinfecting areas, restocking and taking inventory of supplies, etc.
Support the residents with daily needs such as informal counseling, basic core case management services, medication documentation, providing supplies, etc.
Perform client intakes, transfers, and discharges.
Process and record client intakes, transfers, discharges, client case management notes and other documentation in accordance with Toronto Shelter Standards and Fred Victor’s policies and procedures.
Provide appropriate referrals, information, and advocacy to other support services to assist clients to meet the goals outlined in their case plans.
Positively engage, encourage, assist, and support clients to address housing and program related issues such as: behaviour, social isolation, mental health, substance use and hygiene through problem solving and accessing community resources, using case planning tools.
Intervene and de-escalate crisis situations during shift and report all accidents, injuries, and occurrences in writing in accordance with relevant policies.
Lead and support external agency staff while they are onsite delivering support services to clients.
Communicate and demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with clients, staff, and community partners and abide by all the Fred Victor Centre’s policies and procedures e.g., Anti-Harassment and Discrimination and the Staff Code of Conduct.
Work in accordance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Understand and follow all health and safety and emergency procedures.
Must be able to lift and pull 20 lbs.
Other duties as assigned.