Shelter Attendant
About The Position
Each winter, Options Community Services opens its Extreme Weather Response shelters so that people sleeping outside have a warm, safe place to go. As a Shelter Attendant, you will be part of the overnight team that makes this possible — welcoming residents in from the cold, keeping the site safe and well run, and treating everyone who comes through the door with dignity. If you are calm under pressure, comfortable in a fast-changing environment, and motivated by work with an immediate and tangible impact, we invite you to join our team! Reporting to the Program Manager or designate, the successful candidate will provide temporary emergency overnight care and work alongside residents to build the skills and connections needed to secure accommodation and access other resources. Day to day, this means completing shelter intakes and orientations, securing and maintaining the premises, carrying out hourly wellness checks, supporting residents with chores and hygiene needs, and keeping accurate written and electronic logs. You will also identify barriers alongside residents and plan together how to address them, provide crisis counselling and referrals to other agencies, respond to critical incidents involving substance use, mental health or potentially volatile situations, and intervene to de-escalate conflict. This is a temporary full-time position running on a flexible and variable overnight schedule.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and shelter experience
- Certificate or experience working with people living with mental illness
- Education, training or experience in the area of substance use
- Training in cultural sensitivity, conflict resolution and mediation
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training
- Naloxone training (which can be provided)
- A current Level I First Aid certificate
- A Class 5 B.C. Driver’s License with use of a reliable vehicle
- Proven crisis intervention, conflict resolution and mediation skills
- Superior time management
- Demonstrated proficiency in written, oral and interpersonal communication
- High level of motivation, sensitivity and compassion
- Ability to work independently and set priorities in a dynamic environment
- Demonstrated effectiveness as part of a staff team
- Sensitivity to and respect for cultural and lifestyle diversity
- Ability to identify sensitive issues and maintain confidentiality
- Undergo a Police Information Check (PIC) and a Vulnerable Sector Check by the Ministry of Justice
- Sign a Confidentiality Agreement and Code of Ethics
Responsibilities
- Completing shelter intakes and orientations
- Securing and maintaining the premises
- Carrying out hourly wellness checks
- Supporting residents with chores and hygiene needs
- Keeping accurate written and electronic logs
- Identifying barriers alongside residents and planning together how to address them
- Providing crisis counselling and referrals to other agencies
- Responding to critical incidents involving substance use, mental health or potentially volatile situations
- Intervening to de-escalate conflict
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
