Shelter Support Worker jobs

Job Summary:

The Street Outreach Worker engages vulnerable youth aged 13 to 24 who are unhoused, unstably housed, or at risk in the Chilliwack community. This is a relational, field-based role. Much of the work happens on the street, in encampments, and in community spaces rather than in an office.

Many of the youth supported in this role are navigating complex mental health challenges, active substance use, and crisis. The Outreach Worker builds trusting, professional relationships with youth in these circumstances, provides trauma-informed and client-centred support, and connects youth to housing, health, and community resources. The role requires the ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and respond appropriately in high-pressure and unpredictable situations.

Working as part of a federally funded, community-coordinated outreach team, the Street Outreach Worker also contributes to program development, maintains accurate documentation, and represents Cyrus Centre in alignment with its mission and values.

What This Role Looks Like Day to Day

• Regular street-level outreach ("walk-abouts") in all weather, year-round
• Direct engagement with youth who may be in crisis, under the influence of substances, or experiencing symptoms of mental illness
• Responding to situations involving overdose, self-harm risk, conflict, and housing emergencies
• Unstructured environments where priorities shift quickly, and independent judgment is required
• Building relationships slowly, over weeks and months, with youth who have good reasons not to trust adults or systems
• Administrative time for case notes, client statistics, and funder reporting

Key Responsibilities:

Outreach Coordination and Program Development

• Coordinates street outreach efforts in collaboration with community partners including PCRS, City officials, and the Coordinated Community Outreach Team.
• Contributes to program improvements through feedback, observations, and evaluation of outreach strategies.

Youth Support & Intervention

• Provides crisis intervention and emotional support to youth in high-acuity situations.
• Implements best practices in engagement, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.
• Assists youth with personal planning and goal setting, and collaborates with the team on individualized support plans that help youth move toward stable, healthy, independent adulthood.
• Facilitates access to resources by providing direct referrals, information, and advocacy, including promoting access to harm reduction services.
• Advocates for youth and supports them in navigating health, housing, and social service systems.

Collaboration & Representation

• Advises peers and contributes insights to task groups, committees, and partner agencies to enhance system-level youth supports.
• Engages in internal and external meetings, events, and community activities as a team representative.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintains accurate and timely documentation, including daily client statistics, case notes, and service records, using Office 365, HIFIS, FYIdb, and other reporting tools in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.

Facility & General Responsibilities

• Contributes to the cleanliness, upkeep, and overall atmosphere of the facility.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor within the same scope and level of the role.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to remain calm and respond effectively during crisis, including situations involving substance use, mental health emergencies, and conflict
• Highly relational and skilled in youth engagement and de-escalation
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while doing deeply relational work
• Sound judgment and problem-solving in dynamic, unstructured, field-based environments
• Ability to work confidently and independently while collaborating with team members and community partners
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and youth housing systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Organizational proficiency with documentation and digital systems, including Microsoft Office 365
• Flexibility and resilience in navigating changing needs and priorities

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and lived or professional experience
• 2 to 4 years of relevant experience supporting vulnerable or unhoused youth in community-based settings; direct street outreach or frontline crisis experience is a strong asset
• Working knowledge of community resources and services in Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley, or demonstrated ability to develop this knowledge within the first three months
• Familiarity with HIFIS and the Vulnerability Assessment Tool is an asset
• Naloxone administration and first aid certification, or willingness to obtain upon hire
• Valid BC Class 5 driver's license required
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check including the vulnerable sector
• Demonstrated alignment with the mission, vision, and faith-based values of Cyrus Centre

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Extended health care

Flexible language requirement:

• French not required

Work Location: In person