Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:  The Shelter Caseworker provides afternoon/evening support and guidance to adults experiencing homelessness. They are responsible to create life skills and wellness programming, oversee evening shelter services and create community collaboration with the goal of reducing and eliminating homelessness in our community.

Accountabilities:

Program Operations:

• Develops and organizes a daily schedule of evening client based programs. (recreational, educational, spiritual, health and well-being)
• Makes general and specific recommendations for improvement of program equipment.
• Orients clients to facility as needed
• Implements emergency/incidental behavioral interventions, including utilizing Verbal Judo training.
• Provides incidental problem solving and emotional support to clients
• Implements formal sessions for clients or refers them to external agencies that offer formal sessions on a variety of topics including: anger management; grief and loss; sexuality; self-esteem; abuse; violence; addictions and personal safety, education, BP, Diabetes, seizures.
• Keeps abreast of the day-to-day operation and client issues.
• Implements case plans and monitors progress.
• Provides advocacy services or teaches self-advocacy for clients.
• Ensures clients understand and adhere to shelter rules and responsibilities
• Coordinates client referrals to services with other agencies (income support, employment, counselors, HF, YWCA, ICM, Adult Services & Mental Health)
• Supports clients by attending scheduled meetings or appointments.  Helps clients set up medical appointments or attend emergency medical assistance.  Follows up with clients that have been transported from the SA to the hospital by EMS.
• Support and advocate for clients who are being discharged from a hospital stay into homelessness.
• Supervises clients in Productive Choice and meets with them to set goals and work towards transitioning into housing.
• Creates housing plan by identifying housing resources and barriers.
• Assists clients with job searches and job retention. 
• Conducts screening for prevention from entering shelter or into a homeless circumstance.  When needed, uses client assessment tools pertaining to homelessness (VAT/SPDAT).

Program Administration:

• Prepares incident reports and client specific information in client files.
• Completes daily standard documentation: client intake and assessment forms, client records (progress notes), communication book, and other relevant client reports.  Maintains record keeping systems (HIFIS).
• Communicates accurate information in meetings.
• Informs Program Supervisor of supplies, program materials and equipment needing to be purchased.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the Program Supervisor
• Complies with The Salvation Army policies and procedure

Health, Safety & Security:

• Follows safety measures and provides appropriate responses to emergencies and confrontations using non-violent crisis intervention training.
• Reports all incidents of suspected client abuse to Program Supervisor and follows organizational protocols.
• Ensures the program safety policies are followed at all times.
• Ensures that the safety, cleanliness and tidiness of the program site is maintained.
• Reports all accidents, injuries and illnesses to the department Supervisor and completes incident reports.
• Responds to injury, using first aid and CPR training and agency policy.
• Implements or participates in fire drills as determined by Program Supervisor.

Facility Management:

• Ensures needed repairs and maintenance are reported to the Maintenance department.
• Ensures that shared work site is neat and tidy at all times.
• Ensures program site is in good repair, clean and hygienic.

Working Conditions:

• This is a full-time, unionized position at 40 hours per week. Weekly schedule is Monday to Friday, 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
• The work environment entails frequent association with individuals who have addictions and or chronic mental health issues and related behaviors.  This can be a high stress environment. 

Education and experience Qualifications:

• Post-Secondary education with focus on social work, personal support work, nursing, or social services studies and/or at least one (1) year experience working with homeless individuals.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Life skills and recreational programming for high need clients
• Ability to work within a team environment
• Computer literacy
• First Aid
• Verbal Judo and/or NVCI
• Suicide Intervention
• Mental Health First Aid
• WHIMIS
• Food Safe
• Clear Criminal Record Check

Note: Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Ability to work within the mandate of and embrace the mission of The Salvation Army
• Provides trauma informed service delivery
• Provides person centred service delivery
• The ability to respond appropriately, decisively, and effectively in crisis situations and in a stressful environment. 
• Effective interpersonal communication and interactive skills with individuals experiencing chronic mental health issues, effects of intoxication and other behavioural issues. 
• Effective assessment, observation, and recording skills. 
• Ability to work within a teamwork structure though will be required to work alone. 
• Effective interviewing skills.
• Conducts service delivery with cultural competence practices and philosophies
• Personable and friendly with high needs clients
• Conflict Resolution and de-escalation techniques
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Effective communication in English both written and oral
• Ability to write comprehensive case notes
• Knowledge of community supports
• Vision for integration between social and spiritual ministries of The Salvation Army
• Computers skills are essential – MS Office and ability to learn other software applications
• Ability to uphold and enforce policies and procedures

The successful incumbent will be required to complete/provide:

• Valid Vulnerable Sector Screening
• Valid First Aid certificate
• WHMIS
• The Salvation Army on-line certification for abuse prevention
• Clear internal abuse registry check
• Participate in mandatory yearly training

Compensation:

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email [email protected] if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.