Search Homelessness Services Association of BC

Job Description / Duties

Duties and Responsibilities
 Work within the Drop-In Centre or Shelter assisting women through the referral process to
internal and external services such as housing, victim services, legal aid, and education,
ensuring a successful transfer of service.
 Works collaboratively with Peer Support staff to identify and connect women who may need
support and referral.
 Provides information and referral to women in such areas as income assistance, housing,
health services, drug & alcohol treatment and recovery, counseling, and education
 Assist women to access services by accompanying to those referral points when required.
 Manage crisis between, within and among various groups and individuals in the Drop In or
Shelter space, including mentoring and using a variety of self help coping skills and different
approaches to interpersonal situations
 Ensures women who appear in crisis are offered appropriate supports such as medical,
counseling, or advocacy services
 Use empathy and trauma informed practice to assess what services a woman requires
 Create and maintain records within the funder database
 Work collaboratively with other DEWC programs and service providing support and coverage
were needed, including in the Drop In and/or Shelter
 Act as an ambassador for DEWC by representing and modelling DEWC mission and values.
 Other related duties not specified that may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications / Required Skills

Two (2) years recent related experience working with marginalized preferably within a Drop in
or Shelter environment
 Must have a strong working knowledge and analysis of the issues impacting women in the
downtown east side, including gender based violence, mental health, homelessness, and
addictions
 Must work from strong feminist analysis and within an anti-oppression framework
 Must have a strong working knowledge of support services and housing options for low-income
community including social housing, cooperative housing; and affordability housing societies
 Experience providing assisted referral as well as familiarity with support services, agencies and
community resources in the Downtown Eastside
 Skilled in program facilitation and development as well as working in partnerships with allied
service providers
 Understanding of and practices a trauma informed care response when working with women
 Efficient organizational skills including record keeping, scheduling, and problem-solving abilities
 Demonstrated administrative skills, including report writing and IT aptitude
 Strong conflict resolution skills and practice
 Demonstrated crises intervention training and experience
 Excellent communication skills required, including the ability to work in a respectful and
cooperative manner with co-workers, volunteers, and center members
 Ability to work within a chaotic environment and with a diverse community of women
 A First Aid certificate and NVCI is required
 Candidate must undergo a criminal record check
 Women with addiction issues need to be at least 2 years clean and sober
 Hourly position that requires some work outside of normal business hours to undertake position
responsibilities, meet deadlines, and ensure delivery of high-quality programs and services

Additional Information

Benefits of Joining the DEWC Team
Healthcare: Extended health & dental coverage
including vision; prescription medications;
alternative therapies; EAP; life insurance; and
long-term disability.
Paid time off: 3 weeks paid vacation in the 1st
year, 4 weeks after 1 year; 13 paid statutory
holidays; 12 paid sick days annually; and access
to time off to handle family or personal situations.
For your Retirement: Enrolled in the Municipal
Pension Plan with a matching contribution from
DEWC.
Other perks: Compressed work schedule;
employee loan program; regular staff
development days; and DEWC employees are
considered first for any open positions.

POSITION DETAILS:
 Permanent, full-time, 9 day fortnight schedule
 Union: BCGEU / Salary $24.23 hr.
 Posting closing date: Open until the position is filled Start Date: ASAP

Submit cover letter and resume to Housing Outreach Worker Hiring via email careers@dewc.ca
For full job description visit: www.dewc.ca/careers

Indigenous women and women of colour are strongly encouraged to apply / Additional languages
spoken an asset.
**While we thank all applicants for their interests, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted**

Salary: $24.23/hr

Contact Information

careers@dewc.ca

Employer Profile

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) exists to support and empower women and
children, living in extreme poverty in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, who are particularly
vulnerable to violence, exploitation, injustice and injury. Through low barrier Drop-In Centers and
Emergency Shelters, DEWC provides basic need services, programs, and specialized supports to
over 700 women and children daily to help them survive the conditions that surround them