Resident Support Worker

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 Resident Support Worker works alongside a team to provide basic needs and guidance to those that find themselves homeless by providing a welcoming, positive, respectful, and safe environment. Staff will support each person by encouraging healthy life skills and choices, so each person can experience success in moving back into the community and out of the shelter systems.

Accountabilities:              

1. Resident/Program Support:

• Handles the admission, orientation, and evaluation of residents as per policies, procedures, and guidelines.

• Ensures ongoing enforcement of policies and guidelines, including providing guidance to residents.

• Conducts respectful resident intake interviews ensuring all information is obtained, recorded, expectations are clearly communicated to residents, and basic goal setting is done.

• Monitors all incoming traffic ensuring including verifying resident identification and following safety protocols.

• Liaises with Spiritual and Religious Care team members, internal referral sources and other external agencies as needed (e.g., welfare, police, parole, urgent situations, DOAP Team, PACT Team and non-emergency.)

• Stores and records information on resident medication, tools and gear, as per policies and procedures.

• Performs light housekeeping duties and foster a clean workplace culture.

• Provides linen and assistance to each resident, as needed.

• Receives all resident concerns in a professional manner, directs residents to avenues of resolution and ensure required documentation is completed.

• Ensures that calls and messages for residents are dealt with as per policy and privacy legislation.

• Works with program team members to ensure best practices and efficient service delivery.

• Provides mediation in resident conflict to prevent and/or resolve altercations.

• Monitors late passes and address non-compliance.

• Ensures all policies and procedures are upheld and, if required, seek additional support internally or externally from Calgary Police Services or Emergency Medical Services.

• Provides and reprograms resident identification cards as per program guidelines.

• Reviews policies, procedures, and program guideline; provides suggestions for changes, as needed.

• Reviews information and resident forms to ensure correct information and relevance.

• May carry out inspection/safety and wellness checks of property and grounds in accordance with policies and procedures.

• May provide support for other program positions.

2. Administrative:

• Accurately records day-to-day happenings using appropriate methods; maintain logbooks, and complete occurrence reports, etc.

• May handle finances relating to occupancy fees, meal tickets, and receipts of same.

• Communicates with co-workers and Resident Support Team Leaders at shift change, to ensure bed availability; review and record all resident information.

• Reads all day-to-day communications.

• Records all pertinent information and any significant events in communication book.

• Completes program documentation as per program procedures, including meal lists, communication book, occupancy fee receipts, behaviour contracts, notices, incident reports, emergency evacuation reports, and TPW reports.

• Attends program staff meetings as scheduled.

• Demonstrates stewardship of The Salvation Army resources such as time keeping and program supplies.

• Assists at the laundromat and with Program Aid duties, as needed (Men’s Shelter).

• Assists with linen laundry as needed (Women’s Shelter).

• May attend case conferences when necessary.

3. Record Keeping and Reports:

• Maintains daily and monthly program statistics.

• Assists Resident Support Team Leader with weekly tool and medication cabinet audits.

• Coordinates, records, and distributes weekly food hampers.

• Prepares required incident reports.

• Files previous year’s inactive files and archive files annually.

• May audit resident files as per procedure and accreditation standards.

WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• This is a regular, full-time position at 40 hours per week.

• Weekly schedule and shifts may vary based on operational needs however, typically will be 3:00 pm to 11:30 pm.

• Works in a men’s residential housing facility located at our Centre of Hope in downtown Calgary.

• May have to deal with aggressive people. Potential for verbal, and less likely physical, attacks.

• Hours may vary; work schedule affecting lifestyle

• Exposure to infectious diseases

• Exposure to bodily fluids

Education and Experience Qualifications:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:  

• Completed High school diploma, plus specialized courses of up to six (6) months.

• Police Information Check (PIC) with Vulnerable Sector Search

• Current Standard First Aid certification with Level A or C CPR from an Alberta approved training provider.

• Incumbents with a Social Work diploma or degree must be registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements  

• More than three months but less than one year of prior related experience, including experience with frontline work in a social service setting.

Skills and Capabilities:

• Strong customer service skills.

• Attentive listening and observation of body language and able to monitor and read the environment.

• Able to stay calm in stressful situations.

• Computer skills including MS Outlook, Word and ability to use keyboard; familiarity with databases.

• Demonstrated trauma informed care, non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation skills.

• Able to pack and life resident belongings.

• Able to stand for long periods of time and do walk abouts within and outside of the building; able to walk up and down stairs.

• Able to continuously monitor the environment, monitoring security cameras and attentiveness when interacting with clients and recording information. Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility.

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $22.08 to $27.59 with a maximum of $33.11.

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.