Overnight Emergency Shelter Worker

Overnight Emergency Shelter Workers at In from the Cold provide emergency shelter services consistent with the Operating Standards for the Housing Assistance/Emergency Shelter Program and support individuals in their housing search while staying in the shelter.

Hours of work per week: 42 hours per week

Overview of Key Responsibilities:

• Triaging individuals who seek emergency assistance for their housing crisis through administration of screening and coordinated access protocol;
• Implementing diversion strategies as appropriate and consistent with the screening and intake results and provides general housing assistance during first contact;
• Booking persons into the appropriate shelter when diversion is not successful or appropriate; and initiating a "warm transfer" to the receiving shelter as needed;
• Providing essential shelter services to meet the immediate need of clients for safe over-night accommodation; nutrition and hygiene, and security of belongings;
• Assisting in the housing process by providing encouragement to resolve housing issues to decrease length of stays in the emergency shelter system and initiates transfers to Prevention-Diversion Program for clients who require additional support to secure housing;
• Providing housing resources such as access to voice mail, housing listings and general housing search techniques;
• Implementing weekly programming to clients accessing the shelter; focusing on life skills and tenancy education to assist client in overcoming barriers to maintaining long-term housing.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• University degree or community college diploma in a related discipline;
• Minimum three years work experience in human services;
• Possess a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable vehicle, with appropriate insurance;
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training or related training;
• First Aid and CPR;
• CPIC – vulnerable sector required prior to employment.
• All employees of Kingston Home Base Housing must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to help prevent and limit its spread. (An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the receipt of the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine)

Required Skills & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of homelessness and affordable housing issues within the community and the strategies to end chronic homelessness which are identified the 10 year Municipal Housing and Homelessness Plan (Dec 2013);
• Knowledge of the resources in the community for individuals, youth and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, living in poverty, or living with mental health or addiction issues;
• Ability to assist in the housing process appropriate to the specific job responsibilities;
• Ability to integrate harm reduction approaches as appropriate in daily interactions with clients;
• Ability to identify and assess risk and implement strategies which minimize risk to self, the client, and others;
• Ability to use assertive engagement techniques as appropriate in interactions with the client;
• Understanding of psycho-social rehabilitation, recovery model motivational interviewing and journey of change and its influence on client outcomes;
• Strong problem solving, conflict resolution and mediation skills within a solution-focused framework;
• The ability to negotiate and mediate difficult situations and produce positive results;
• Knowledge of the principles and interventions required in a Housing First and Rapid Rehousing Program;
• Ability to use strategies to appropriately divert people from the shelter system into other shelter solutions;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Implementation of life skills based programming

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Schedule:

• Night shift
• Weekend availability
• Extra hours
• Location: 540 Montreal St.
• 12 hours night shifts
• Rotating schedule, includes statutory holidays
• Paid time off: vacation, sick time and personal time

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $52,462.00-$61,188.00 per year

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kingston, ON K7K 3J2: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

• supportive care: 1 year (required)

Work Location: In person