Casual Direct Support Worker - Winter Drop In Center

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:   

Motivated by God’s love, The Salvation Army CRS is dedicated to nurturing a safe, compassionate, healthy and respectful community.  Crossroads Residential Services – Warming Centre is dedicated to providing a safe, stable and positive emergency shelter for adult individuals in crisis, respecting cultural and religious diversity. The Direct Support Worker will support individuals struggling with homelessness in Saskatoon. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provide support to clients.
• Strictly follow program’s policies and procedures.
• Be aware of all clients and their activities and care for their needs.
• Monitor the activities of the guests/clients and maintains availability for personal, practical and morale support; may include providing safe storage.
• Handle the admission (intakes), orientation and evaluation of guests’ understanding of rules; ensures ongoing enforcement of policies, which may include guest discipline.
• Document business requirements, process and report as needed.
• Develop and document options and recommendations to issues and problems.
• Support key stakeholders in understanding the implications of options and decisions.
• Work with Team Lead to provide client information that helps develop case plans, communicate effectively with clients so that they are aware of the supports, resources and rules that are here for them.
• Fill out incident reports as necessary.
• Assist with cleaning the hall/space, washrooms, and sidewalks after clients have left the building.
• May assist with snow removal when snow is impeding access to the building.
• Assist with meal prep, clean-up and serving, including checking food temperatures.
• Participate in scheduled job-related training as required.
• Give input into orientating, training and evaluating staff.
• Provide appropriate assistance to guests when required.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Required to work in co-operation with other staff members in job related areas and treat all clients, community partners, volunteers, and members of the public with respect, dignity and confidentiality.

Governance Boards and Councils: None

Internal: Team Lead, Housing Services Manager, clients, other staff

External: Community Partners, Public

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY:  

• Reports directly to: Housing Services Manager
• No formal managerial responsibility. May show others how to perform certain duties and procedures.

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:  

• None

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• Working in a Warming Centre.
• Optional on-call work available.
• Some unscheduled overtime may be associated with this position. 
• May be subject to verbal abuse, discrimination, etc.
• No travel required.
• The incumbent will work under the following disagreeable conditions:
  • Dealing with angry and highly emotional clients and their families. May encounter verbal abuse.
  • Dealing with people with different levels of intoxication and difficult behaviours. 
  • Noise
  • May involve responding to first aid incidents including overdoses.
  • May involve bending, stretching, reaching, and climbing
  • Minimal opportunities for rest breaks may occur during the shift.
  • May involve sitting, standing, walking for long periods of time.
  • Exposure to both hot and cold outdoor environments
  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

• The incumbent may be exposed to the risk of moderate injury or illness due to:
  • Physical attacks by others (i.e., being attacked by a client)
  • Exposure to infectious diseases
  • Sharp objects (i.e., needle sticks)
  • Other dangerous situations

The above responsibilities must be performed in keeping with The Salvation Army’s Mission, Vision and Values, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

Education and Experience Qualifications:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:  

• Completion of high school is required.

• Completion of a formal post-secondary/college diploma program of 2 academic years in Social Service Work, and/or Mental Health & Addictions is a strong asset

• Narcan/Naloxone Training or willingness to obtain.
• Trauma informed care training or willingness to obtain.
• De-escalation training or willingness to obtain.
• First Aid/CPR
• Mental Health First Aid
• Basic knowledge of computers
• Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements  

• Minimum one of 10 months of experience in a residential setting working with marginalized clientele with a focus on mental health support.
• Experience working within the field of Mental Health and Addictions is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Behaviour Based Model.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, internet, and keyboarding.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Ability to develop and sustain professional working relationships with clients, members of the public, other agencies and staff, keeping strict confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to deal with difficult people.
• Ability and willingness to respect, promote, and support the mission, vision, and values of TSA and develop an understanding of the purpose of the Salvation Army in Canada and its implication as related to position responsibilities.
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.
• Strong understanding of professional boundaries when working with a vulnerable population.
• Strong listening, written, and verbal communication skills – clear and simple to understand.
• Able to proactively recognize potential risks, conflicts, and issues, respond with solutions and coaching. 
• Attention to detail, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Patience and ability to deescalate situations.
• Ability to coach and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to make decisions within established framework while understanding the impact decisions will have on programming as well as programs around them. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to deal with internal and external contacts at all levels of the organization in a professional manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain a team environment; work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be reliable, and operate in an environment of accountability.
• Understands the dynamics of clients’ behaviour with the ability to assess their needs and risks.
• Ability to demonstrate understanding of and empathy toward cultural differences.

• Ability to work in high stress, busy environment.

This is a casual position with no fixed weekly scheduled hours.

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.