Shelter Worker

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:

The Shelter Worker provides a safe and secure environment for clients, residents and visitors. 

KEY Accountabilities:

• Ability to work within the mission, vision & values of The Salvation Army and Ridge Meadows Ministries
• Use a client-centered approach by consistently demonstrating compassion, respect and empathy
•  Supports, where and when possible, the efforts of all clients and co-workers
• Handles the admission, orientation and evaluation of clients
• Maintains availability for personal, practical and moral support
• Monitors the activities of clients and accurately records day-to-day happenings
• Performs internal and external security checks
• Provides safe storage and recording of prescribed medications
• Liaises with referral sources and other external agencies as needed
• Coordinates client care relating to security issues and ensures ongoing enforcement of policies
• Involved in serving meals/snacks
• Performs other assigned duties as required to ensure a safe and secure environment

Working Conditions:

• moderate amounts of keyboarding and performing walk abouts.
• continuously monitoring the environment, monitoring security cameras and attentiveness when interacting with clients and recording information.
• responsible for your own time and effort only. May demonstrate work methods to new employees, volunteers and/or students.
• little to no travel required.
• carries a pager/walkie talkie.

The work environment is typically in a shelter and/or in treatment facilities in the ministry unit facility, under the following disagreeable conditions:

• Dealing with angry people
• Abusive people
• Verbal abuse
• Isolation
• Work schedule affecting lifestyle
• may be exposed to the risk of minor to moderate injury or illnesses due to:
  • Physical attacks by others
  • Exposure to infectious diseases
  • Exposure to bodily fluids
  • Sharp objects
  • Other dangerous situations
• must take the following precautionary measures (in addition to health and safety rules):
  • Universal precautions
  • Immunization for Hepatitis B and Vaccination against Tuberculosis
  • Current Certification in First Aid/CPR
  • Criminal Police Investigation Check (CPIC)
  • Non-violent crisis intervention training

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Possess valid Food Safe, CPR, First Aid and Non-Violent Crisis certification or obtain as condition of employment prior to end of probationary period

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Ability and willingness to represent and work within the mission, vision & values of The Salvation Army and Ridge Meadows Ministries.
• Use a client-centered approach by consistently demonstrating compassion, respect and empathy in the administration of policies and procedures.
• Support, where and when possible, the efforts of all clients, volunteers and co-workers.
• Monitors the activities of the clients/residents and maintains availability for personal, practical and morale support; may include providing safe storage and recording of prescribed medications
• Accurately records day-to-day happenings using appropriate methods; maintains logbooks and completes occurrence reports
• Liaises with referral sources and other external agencies as needed (e.g. welfare, police, parole, urgent situations)
• Coordinates client care relating to security issues; may be directly involved in taking urine samples, doing bed checks, room/personal searches
• May carry out inspection/security checks of property and grounds in accordance with policies and procedures
• Handles the admission, orientation and evaluation of clients’ understanding of rules; ensures ongoing enforcement of policies, which may include client discipline
• May handle finances relating to room rentals and meal tickets, and receipting of same
• May serve as Receptionist for Shelter
• May prepare or provide simple meals for clients/residents
• Performs other duties as assigned and as listed on the task list

Skills and Capabilities

• completed high school, plus specialized courses of up to six (6) months
• Addiction Facility – Addictions Counselling Courses an asset
• more than three months of prior related experience, including, experience with frontline work in a social services setting
• the ability to work with minimum supervision and under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• the willingness to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds
• the ability to take initiative and be team oriented
• strong service ethic and a friendly disposition with the public
• adaptability to change and frequent interruptions
• Ability and willingness to undergo applicable screening and background checks successfully that are satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion (i.e., The Salvation Army Abuse Registry) and provide an original copy of a Background Check screening.

Rate of pay $24.15/hour

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.