Shelter Support Worker jobs in Toronto, ON

Kennedy House (KH) is a not-for-profit organization with a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional personalized care for youth in the Greater Toronto Area for over 50 years. KH started with an initial family-like group home in 1971 and currently operates several residential and community-based programs, for marginalized and at-risk youth, including:

• One residential home for young people in care;
• Three homes for youth and young adults living with developmental disabilities;
• A Day Treatment school program for youth struggling in the typical school setting;
• Kennedy House Youth Centre, a secure custody facility for male youth experiencing conflict with the law;
• Bailiff services to safely and securely transport youth experiencing conflict with the law;
• Kennedy House After School Program for children aged 4-13 in underserved communities throughout Scarborough; and
• Kennedy House Youth Shelter, for youth aged 16-24 experiencing homelessness.

KH works with youth to enable them to grow as individuals and contribute as members of the community. This is achieved by providing customized support and building trusting relationships. To learn more about our organization and the causes we support, we strongly encourage you to visit our website.

Position Summary

Kennedy House requires a full-time Shelter Assistant Manager for our Youth Shelter program. In this position you will implement and maintain the overall functioning of the Program. You will promote the Agency’s philosophy, adhering to the Program design and demonstrating sound management skills in the pursuit of Agency objectives and goals.

The Shelter Assistant Manager is to provide leadership and direction to the Shelter Team by delegating and ensuring the completion of responsibilities effectively and ensuring that the daily care of youth is maintained at the highest level. The Shelter Assistant Manager assumes responsibility of the shelter in the absence of the Shelter Manager and must communicate with Head Office and the City about significant issues.

The Shelter Assistant Manager is expected to take an active “hands on” role and tasks are to be performed both independently and within the team through the delegation of tasks where appropriate and by leading, teaching, monitoring, supervising and evaluating others to ensure maximum service delivery.

The Shelter Assistant Manager reports to the Shelter Manager. The Shelter Assistant Manager is responsible for directly supervising the Maintenance Supervisor, Shelter Supervisors, Program and Housing Supervisor, Kitchen Staff, Admin Assistant, and Mental Health and Harm Reduction Worker. They are responsible for the Health and Safety of the facility and makes recommendations to the Shelter Manager. They are responsible for the overseeing operations of the shelter. They will also provide afterhours on-call and crisis support when required and on a rotating basis.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure smooth, effective and efficient operations of the Shelter including responding to facility issues, client case management, crisis, staff scheduling.
• Develop and maintain accurate and confidential user of service record keeping systems in accordance with SMIS privacy guidelines, City of Toronto Shelter Standards and KHYS policies and procedures.
• Provide support to staff when needed.
• The Shelter Assistant Manager is expected to have a clear understanding of all events which occur and must review all documentation each day to aid them in this responsibility.
• Ensures that staff meetings, youth meetings, and all other program structure and requirements operate consistently and effectively.
• Provide staff training and supervision and monitor mandatory training for all staff to ensure it meets standards.
• Conduct performance reviews as necessary and make recommendations regarding areas of improvement, training, disciplinary and/or corrective action ensuring they are strength based.
• Ensure system is in place that all supervisors are conducting supervisions according to schedule
• Make certain that all documentation is completed promptly, accurately and distributed to the appropriate parties.
• Provide support during emergencies (of a medical, safety or security nature) and activate appropriate precautionary and contingency plans.
• Ability to replace any staff absent from the program due to illness, resignation and/or vacation.
• Available to provide on-call coverage on a rotating basis.
• Make appropriate referrals, provide information and advocate with support services to assist clients with meeting their personal goals and needs when necessary.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 5 years in a supervisory role.
• At least 5 years of experience working with marginalized youth facing mental health issues and addictions who are chronically homeless.
• Child & Youth Worker/ Social Work Diploma or related Bachelor’s Degree.
• Ability to exercise appropriate authority, leadership and direction.
• Competence in making and implementing decisions.
• Ability to assess performance of others.
• Ability to function independently within the framework of a team.
• Certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Current and valid Full G driver’s license.
• Acceptable Broad Record Check must be maintained.
• Excellent communication and written skills.
• Extensive working knowledge of mental health issues and addictions, including demonstrated experience applying harm reduction approaches.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with clients and partner agencies. Extensive knowledge of community based resources and supports.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize work and remain adaptable and flexible.
• Computer literacy in Word, Internet use, and Databases is an asset.
• Toronto Shelter Standards and WHIMS training is an asset
• Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, agency policies, procedures and guidelines.

Pay: $65,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person