Jobs

Why work at RainCity Housing?

Your vision is also our vision “a home for every person”. We advocate a housing first and harm reduction approach to end homelessness.

You want to work with an organization that takes action on homelessness.

RainCity Housing provides housing and connection to community services, mental health services, addictions services and social work services for individuals who have concurrent disorders / co-occurring disorders (mental illness, substance use, health problems) and are at high risk of being homeless. RainCity Housing has a proven reputation in social services and healthcare, providing housing first, harm reduction and support services for some of the most vulnerable people in Vancouver.

You want to work with people like the support worker who wrote this: 

“It’s hard. Have no illusions. Working here will challenge your abilities, beliefs, tolerances, biases (yes we all have them), sleep patterns and social life. Not to mention witnessing daily the struggle, trauma and injustices the people we serve must face.

It is not a job for everyone. But for those of us who do work here it is an opportunity to make a difference. To provide the most basic of needs for someone – food, shelter, clothing – and to assist with medical, financial and housing issues. To creatively solve problems otherwise deemed too complex or impossible. To witness the resiliency and self-determination of the human spirit on a daily basis. To work beside peers who share similar values as yourself.

You still want to work here? Be prepared to learn about people, “the system”, and yourself. Be prepared to experience frustration, compassion, and excitement in a matter of hours or even minutes. And be prepared to know you have made a difference.”  Lou D

What does a Support Worker do?

Support Workers work in one of our housing programs, providing a wide range of supports to help our tenants deal with mental illness, addictions, housing and health issues. The most important task is building a relationship with tenants and collaborating with them to achieve their goals. Four of our employees spoke to the Vancouver Sun about what it’s like working the night shift at our Triage Shelter and at Princess Rooms Transitional Housing. Read the article.  

Support Workers do other tasks like:

  • Ensure tenant safety – monitor building security; crisis intervention; de-escalate agitated/aggressive behaviour
  • Administer medications
  • Help tenants move in and out
  • Help tenants access medical, social, community, and financial services
  • Teach and encourage harm reduction
  • Help tenants maintain basic sanitation levels in suites
  • Help with pest control
  • Prepare and implement service plans to help a tenant achieve their goals
  • Advocate for tenants, to ensure their rights

What training and experience is required to be a Support Worker?

  • Training in mental health, addictions services, substance abuse counseling, concurrent disorders / co-occurring disorders, social work, human services, social services, therapeutic recreation, community social service worker.
  • Experience assisting the homeless and/or people struggling with mental illness or addictions.
  • Experience with certain population demographics is an asset – women, and the aboriginal community for example.
  • Volunteer and practicum experience is valued.
  • Life experience is valued, if supported by training and work experience.
  • Please Note: A resident care aid course does not provide enough training. We do not do personal care. We do not operate long term care facilities.

Training advice

When looking at a training program, carefully check the courses, practicum’s and the types of jobs that graduates get, in order to make the best match with your interests. We have provided a list of schools that we find helpful for potential employees.

Applications

RainCity Housing is an equal opportunity employer. Our clients come from a wide variety of backgrounds, orientations and ethnicities. We need a staff group that reflects this variety and can provide service that is sensitive to the needs of clients. We are especially seeking applicants from under represented groups in our staff mix such as: Aboriginal people, people of colour, people who identify as male, people with multilingual skills.

For each job, send a resume and cover letter to Human Resources. Please quote the job # in your application.

You can send your applications online to jobs@raincityhousing.org, or fax them to 604 254 3703.

Check out our current postings.