Homeless Shelter Worker jobs in Vancouver, BC

About VAFCS: The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society has over 60 years of experience in providing culturally enhanced programs and services to urban Indigenous peoples in Vancouver. VAFCS is a charitable organization that emphasizes the philosophies and values of varied Indigenous cultures and traditions. The VAFCS works in partnership with community stakeholders in developing, building, and operating a small portfolio of affordable housing in addition to our community programs, services, and social enterprises.

BC Housing and the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society are partnering to build a range of housing options for people of all ages struggling to find a place to call home. 1015 East Hastings provides 80 safe shelter beds; 25 studios and one-bedrooms for people moving from the shelter to more independent living; 85 affordable rental homes for people and families with lower incomes; 53 new market rental homes; and social enterprise space.

Reporting to the Director of Operations. The Supportive Housing Manager is accountable for the Supportive housing and services to 25 tenants in a unique partnership with the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society and the Shelter (Ho’ Kee Melh Kloshe Lum). The position is also responsible for collecting and reporting of statistics regarding supportive housing program use and operation to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides advice, leadership, guidance and consultation to staff regarding program services to clients
• Manages training and orientation of employees on duties and responsibilities
• In consultation with Human Resources, manages performance expectations and goals, ensuring employees are demonstrating appropriate levels of client services, monitor employee performance and conducts performance reviews
• In partnership with Human Resources, recruits staff in accordance with Collective Agreement
• Applies collective agreement and policy guidelines in approval of employee leave requests, and obtains approval from the Director of Operations
• Responds to grievances at Step 1 of the grievance procedure
• Reviews Supportive Housing supply list, and ensure adequate resources are available
• Maintains employee attendance records and monitors usage
• Seeks out proper training courses for employees as required to maintain program
• Maintains employee shift schedule on bi-weekly format
• Develops working relationships with clients, agencies and associations
• Manages in-take of residents
• Responds to inquiries and requests by residents and resolves any problems or issues
• Engages with community stakeholders to ensure appropriate delivery of services in accordance with the contract
• Ensures appropriate and timely communication with residents, employees, and managers
• Reviews Incident Reports daily, and ensure that each report is followed up on appropriately, and proper parties are notified
• Ensures timely collection of rent and effective management of arrears collection
• Maintains monthly progress reports for Director of Operations
• Maintains filing systems
• Reports regularly to the Director of Operations regarding matters at the Supportive Housing program
• Responsible for handling petty cash flow, and company credit cards when needed
• Ensures there are sufficient weekly supplies required
• Participates in the development of operational plans, including budget recommendations
• Maintains monthly reports for Director of Operations
• Arranges for Contractors to enter units when necessary and that maintenance projects are tracked
• Performs monthly unit inspections and assisting with annual inspections, responding to processing enquiries and complaints
• Maintains a registrar of issues impacting collective agreement in preparation for negotiations
• Attendance at bargaining table as management member
• Performs other related duties

QUALIFICATIONS:

• First Nations, Metis, Inuit or Aboriginal ancestry is preferred
• Post-secondary education in a related field plus 3 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working with homeless people is required
• Working knowledge of the Downtown Eastside
• Proven record of ability to work with people who have been homeless is required
• Knowledge of government health requirements in relation to public facilities
• Proven experience leading a team in a unionized work environment
• Ability to work in harmony as part of a team and with residents
• Customer service excellence skills
• Ability to rotate shifts and be on call 24/7
• Ability to work as part of a team environment
• Strong demonstrated leadership and teambuilding skills
• High degree of resourcefulness, flexibility, and adaptability
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Politically and culturally sensitive
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis
• Ability to exercise an empathic and compassionate style
• Strong morals and ethics, along with a commitment to employee privacy
• Valid Driver’s License (Class 4 preferred) and clean abstract.
• Criminal Record Check with vulnerable populations
• Knowledge of traditional aboriginal culture
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations
• Able to occasionally lift items as heavy as 50 lbs

Certificates:

o Crisis Prevention training or de-escalation training.

o Standard first aid and CPR

o Indigenous awareness training

o Mental health first aid training

o Domestic violence safety planning

o Substance use awareness and safety training-including naloxone training

o LGBT2Q+ awareness training

o Trauma-informed practice training

o Staff self-care training

o Vulnerability Assessment Tool training

o AHMA or BC housing database training

Working Conditions

• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the AIDS and hepatitis B viruses
• Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, and lifting.
• Schedule: weekend availability

Preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants in accordance with Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code.

The Vancouver aboriginal Friendship Centre encourages members of equity-seeking groups to apply.

Pay: From $36.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care

Application question(s):

• Do you have working knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act?

Education:

• Secondary School (required)

Experience:

• supportive housing work: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person