Casual Support Attendant

The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda Territory•Vancouver, BC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Support Attendants maintain a secure and supportive environment for clients at The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light and assist in the operations of residential programs as appropriate. The Support Attendant position is comprised of two functional roles: Front Desk Attendant and Security Attendant. These roles work closely with adult clients from our shelters, our residential substance use programs, and our correctional residential facility (CRF). All shifts are “awake” shifts. The Front Desk Attendant is responsible for the general control of the main front desk, observation/monitoring of all clients and visitors entering the facility, both directly and through CCTV, and documenting/reporting notable observations. They also answer the main phone line, functioning as a switchboard operator, and are the first point of contact for emergencies, coordinating a response with the security attendant, emergency responders, and other appropriate personnel. The Security Attendant is responsible for the supervision of clients/property through regular rounds of facility inspections, monitoring of CCTV footage, and communication with appropriate staff and external agencies. Security Attendants are often the first responders to emergencies, including a client or community member in crisis, and may provide first aid including overdose response. The Security Attendant works with the Front Desk Attendant to coordinate and deliver a response to these situations.

Requirements

Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
Ability to provide an original copy of a Background Check that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required.
Criminal Record Review Program clearance is required for all positions at Vancouver Harbour Light.
Ability to obtain federal Enhanced Security Clearance is required for this position.
High School completion plus specialized courses of up to six (6) months
Criminal Record Review Program Clearance
Correctional Service of Canada Enhanced Security Clearance
Immunization for Hepatitus B and Tuberculosis
Naloxone training, First Aid with CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training (or willingness to be trained)
One year of prior related experience, including security experience.
Basic to Intermediate computer skills, particularly Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to communicate and develop relationships and trust with the homeless
Strong empathy and compassion
Ability to support and motivate others
Familiarity with related service-providers in the area
Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, and on occasion lead a team
Ability to support and motivate others
Good organizational skills

Nice To Haves

Additional language skills are an asset

Responsibilities

Works in compliance with The Salvation Army’s operating policies, and the CSC contract’s Statement of Work
Monitors Community Residential Facility (CRF) clients’ compliance with their curfews, visual check-ins, release conditions, and behaviours
Maintains confidentiality of all residents
Liaises with referral sources and other external agencies as needed (e.g. police, Correctional Service of Canada, National Monitoring Center) during urgent situations
Maintains logbooks of routine events, as well as pressing or critical incidents and urgent correspondence
Completes occurrence and incident reports
Provides First Aid, including Naloxone
Reports security problems to appropriate program staff or department managers.
May be required to provide statements to Crown counsel, police, and/or parole office
Understands and is aware of emergency/disaster procedures and calmly applies them
Provides statements for the Crown, Police, Parole office as required
Provides directions for clients and the public and responds to phone and in-person inquiries
Views and monitors security camera activity in conjunction with Security Attendants to maintain overall safety of the facility.
Documents CRF clients’ movement & needs (bed count, curfews, attendance sheets, etc.) in collaboration with the Support Attendant.
Completes clerical tasks such as mail sorting and issuing counter receipts
Accurately documents any relevant client behavior or observations for clients in all programs and report to appropriate department staff
Communicates with other departments as appropriate
Initiates incident response when panic alarms are activated
Makes scheduled rounds of facility inspections, checks safety/security, monitors clients/residents and premises; maintains an atmosphere of calm, providing an unobtrusive presence
Monitor facility through CCTV cameras and routine walk-through inspections of the facility.
Coordinates client care relating to security issues
May be directly involved in collection of urinalysis samples
Completes regular live breathing body checks for clients, and may complete room/personal searches
Administers prescribed or approved medication available to clients as per medication training
Ongoing enforcement of house rules and policies, which may include reminding clients of the rules, helping them strategize how to abide by the rules, client behavioural intervention, or recommending service restrictions for current or prospective clients
Accurately document and report notable client behaviors or observations
Greets, directs, and accompanies visitors as necessary; may include contacting resident/client
Attends to incidents when panic alarms are activated
Receives payments/donations, records them in the receipt book, and stores them in the drop-safe, in accordance with policy.
May manage clients belongings.
May be required to manage office supplies and PPE for support staff and clients.