FT Shelter Worker (405, Alexander)

Connective • Whitehorse, YT

12d • CA$34 - CA$39 • Onsite

About The Position

The Shelter Worker will provide 24/7 support to homeless and street-involved adults at 405 Alexander (Whitehorse Emergency Shelter). This role involves ensuring the safety, well-being, and dignity of shelter users while delivering person-centered, trauma-informed, housing-focused and culturally appropriate services. The Shelter Worker will assist in meeting basic needs, promoting independence, and connecting individuals to community resources. The Shelter Worker will play a critical role in providing compassionate, respectful, and effective support to individuals in need, ensuring their safety and dignity while fostering pathways to independence and stability.

Requirements

• Ability to successfully complete a RCMP Vulnerable Sector Check.
• TB Screening.
• Ability to work in a culturally safe and gender-affirming manner.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Current Emergency First Aid Certificate.
• One year’s experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance use.
• Knowledge of housing-first principles and harm reduction approaches.
• Demonstrated and clear ability to respond well in crisis situations
• Extensive knowledge of community resources
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Nice To Haves

• WHMIS certification is preferred.
• Naloxone training is preferred.
• Non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation training.
• Trauma-informed practice and harm reduction training.
• Knowledge of Yukon First Nations culture and history is preferred.
• Experience working in a trauma-informed, person-centered environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide 24/7 emergency shelter services, ensuring a minimum of 24 dormitory beds and up to 30 overflow beds are available nightly.
• Maintain a safe and welcoming environment for shelter users, including monitoring targeted spaces for individuals who may be severely intoxicated.
• Ensure adherence to shelter policies, including harm reduction and overdose response protocols.
• Assist in the provision of basic needs such as food, clothing, sanitation, and health care.
• Conduct intake assessments within 72 hours of admission and complete them within one week. Assessments include housing history, income sources, health status, and support needs.
• Refer to Outreach Worker for further housing-focused supports.
• Contribute and support case plans with shelter users, focusing on housing-first principles and individualized goals.
• Offer life skills resources to enhance independence, including programs and organizations that teach cooking, cleaning, and financial management.
• Offer harm reduction supplies and education, ensuring safer use practices.
• Build supportive relationships with shelter users, including connections to family, friends, and community.
• Refer and connect individuals to appropriate community services, including mental health, substance use, and housing supports.
• Work in collaboration with the outreach workers to ensure seamless communication.
• Maintain service delivery relationships with partners such as but not limited to the Referred Care and Opioid Treatment Services Clinic (RCC), CYFN, Downtown Outreach Clinic, MWSUS, Bloodties, Safe at Home, and FASSY.
• Collaborate with Yukon First Nations and other cultural organizations to provide culturally safe and appropriate services.
• Monitor and respond to safety concerns, including managing incidents of intoxication or disruptive behavior.
• Follow the incident reporting matrix and in accordance to the policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with emergency response protocols, including overdose prevention and evacuation procedures.
• Maintains extensive records and case notes in accordance with the policy and procedures manuals of the society.
• Contributes to quarterly/monthly progress reports for service users.
• Participates in staff meetings and community partners as instructed by the Program Manager.
• Other duties as subsequently negotiated.
• Utilize Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS) as specified by management.
• Submit daily and nightly statistics and reports as required.
• Participate in ongoing program evaluation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package, including health, wellness, and pension plan.
• Access to a range of staff mental health supports, including an in-house counsellor, Employee Family Assistance Program, and Critical Incidents Stress Management.
• Access to On-Demand Pay to withdraw earned wages before payday.
• Portability program where employees moving from a CSSEA-member employer to Connective will port their service hours for vacation and wage purposes (within last 12 months).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed