Casual Relief Women’s Support Worker, Vancouver

POSITION TITLE: Women’s Community Support Worker
PROGRAM: the Budzey. All casuals are expected to work at multiple locations
UNION: BCGEU
SALARY:$30.64/hour (BCGEU grid 34) + $2.50/hour as a premium for overnight shifts.
POSITION TYPE: Casual Relief, on call
SCHEDULE: the program operates 24/7. Shifts are generally 11pm – 7am; 7am – 3pm; and 3pm – 11pm. We are looking for casuals who can commit to overnight and weekend shifts to start
START DATE: as soon as possible

Gender is a bona fide occupational requirement: women (trans, cis), gender diverse, and Two-Spirit staff only please.

Pursuant to the Provincial Health Officer’s Order, the incumbent of this position is required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We will only consider applicants who are fully vaccinated, or who have received an exemption from the Provincial Health Office. Proof of either must be provided in advance of any offer of employment being made.

Please submit resume and cover letter  *quote competition # job2019.145*
Email: nscott@raincityhousing.org

Job Summary: Reporting to the Management Team or designate, the Women’s Community Support Worker provides a range of support services for chronically homeless women living in the community, many of whom have concurrent mental illness, substance use and /or physical health issues. Working closely with the management team and the Women’s Service Plan Coordinator, the WCSW collaborates with program participants to provide a range of services, including assessment of needs, planning, linking, and monitoring outcomes in a range of service delivery areas. The WCSW also provides daily supports including medication administration, building safety and guest management, crisis intervention and prevention, health and recreational groups and general problem solving. The WCSW also works collaboratively with other direct service staff, family and with external service providers and government ministries involved in the care and support of program participants.

The Women’s Community Support Worker ensures that the day to day operations of the program are run in a professional and efficient manner with attention to confidentiality and in compliance with the Budzey Program policy and procedures, and taking into consideration all forms of oppression facing the women and children who access our services.

Diversity: RainCity Housing serves a diverse group of people and we need a staff group that reflects the diversity. People of diverse backgrounds and cultures are encouraged to apply.

Program Summary: The Budzey provides housing for women and women-led families. There are 147 units in total: 106 studio apartments for single women and 41 one, two and three bedrooms apartments for women – led families. It is estimated that there will be up to 220 people living in this building – with up to 55 children. The Administration offices for RainCity Housing are located within the building. This is a large building – 10 stories – with complex building services.

Qualifications: many forms of education and experience are valued, including volunteering and lived experience of mental illness / addiction/ homelessness; Minimum education and experience includes:

  • A Diploma in community social services
  • One year of recent, related work experience, including working with women with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services.
  • Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
  • Current First Aid and CPR certification
  • Criminal Records Search for working with vulnerable adults and children

Key Skills and Abilities – for supporting people receiving our services

  • Ability to apply an analysis and knowledge of women’s issues within a feminist framework, including mental illness, substance use, sexual health, exposure to violence.
  • Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with women program participants
  • Ability to identify and work to increase program participant strengths
  • Ability to work with program participants using hope-inducing strategies
  • Ability to implement program participant-centred service plans
  • Ability to respond to problematic behaviour using an understanding of the behaviour’s context and function
  • Ability to support life-skills
  • Ability to create, facilitate and assist with peer-based in house programming
  • Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions
  • Ability to administer medications as per The Budzey policies and procedures
  • Ability to effectively and safely resolve crisis situations
  • Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
  • Ability to collaborate with staff team and external services
  • Ability to constructively resolve conflict with co-workers, management and external services
  • Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally
  • Ability to organise and prioritise duties
  • Ability to operate office equipment including computers
  • Physically able to carry out the duties of the position
  • Sound knowledge of women-centred services.
  • Basic sound knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources
  • Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction.
  • Basic sound knowledge of diagnoses, treatment and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, including HIV and Hepatitis C.
  • Knowledge of the housing continuum, including market, subsidized and supported housing systems, including program models for special needs populations
  • Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization specifically related to the experience of women, mental health consumers and substance users, the aboriginal community, and other marginalized women