Residential Care Worker

Our low barrier Emergency Shelter provides a safe place for women experiencing homelessness to eat, sleep, and get connected to services to help them successfully move forward into independent living. We work with other community agencies to provide a wrap-around supports to ensure the best opportunities for our clients. Our shelter is a wet shelter, we accept clients to stay if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No substances are permitted to be used or kept on site.

We value team work and believe that we are our best when we are working together. While we are sometimes single-staffed on shift, there is an overlap of 15 minutes to catch up on the shift before yours, and share your shift highlights with one another. It is also a time to ensure that the day continues with consistency and routine for women who may be in distress or lack these important qualities that provide a sense of certainty in their lives in an uncertain time.

The main role of this position is to provide safety for the women accessing our services. At any given time, there may be women who are feeling unsafe due to circumstances outside of the shelter. We strive to alleviate some of the stressors by: keeping doors locked, safety checks of the building, use of security cameras, consistency, and a calm presence.

Responsibilities:

- greeting women as they arrive and providing information about our shelter

- gathering information for a formal intake

- safety checks of belongings upon clients’ entry

- preparing and serving meals and snacks

- walkabouts on night shift to check on clients

- wellness checks on women who are under the influence or ill

- general cleaning, such as laundry, washing dishes, tidying office

- overseeing chore time to ensure all chores are completed

- monitoring expiry dates on food in fridge and pantry

- answering phones

- providing information to callers

- keeping confidentiality of all women present

- communicating and enforcing house rules

- safety calls to other agencies also open overnight

- logging entries and exits of all people who come and go

- sending shift updates to co-workers and managers

- accept and put away donations

- take detailed messages for clients and director

- complete required paperwork ie: incident reports, time sheets, logs, etc. in a timely and professional manner

- participate in staff development and training as required

Qualifications:

- Human Services Diploma/Personal Support Worker, or completion of at least one year of university in a relevant field of study, or 3 years of experience in a related occupation

- current First Aid/CPR certificate

- clear Social Development Vulnerable Sector check

- clear Criminal Record check

- excellent interpersonal and organizational skills that contribute to supervising clientele and dealing effectively and professionally with their families, helping professionals and the community

- ability to follow set Policies & Procedures and routines as part of a multi-disciplinary team that promotes a safe and secure living environment

- ability to anticipate and recognize problems, deal with disruptive behaviour, provide disciplinary actions and use crisis intervention techniques and protocols as situations arise

- ability to support homeless women, form effective relationships

- proficient in oral and written communication skills, including the ability to utilize the available technology

- ability to set professional boundaries

- some knowledge of barriers homeless people face

- high level of tolerance for clients with complex needs

- ability to multi-task and quickly make decisions

- some knowledge of trauma-informed care

Working Conditions:

- At times, you will be working with multiple women with complex needs, some of whom may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or exhibiting symptoms of physical/mental health concerns.

- Many women have experienced trauma, and may talk about it. This can be triggering to people who have also experienced trauma.

- The shelter is single-staffed. When all of the spots are full, the shift will be very busy, requiring an ability to prioritize and multi-task.

- Many shifts are rewarding. We often share in celebrating a client’s successes, recognizing that every step forward should be celebrated. This can be very encouraging for staff and clients alike.

We thank all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• Weekend availability

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: From $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Experience:

• supportive care: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• First Aid/CPR Certification (preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Saint John, NB E2L 3R1 (required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Saint John, NB E2L 3R1: Relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-03-15
Expected start date: 2024-03-18