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 them to those referral points when required.
• Manage crises 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 support 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 services providing support and coverage needed, including in the Drop In and/or Shelter
• Act as an ambassador for DEWC by representing and modeling DEWC mission and values.
• Other related duties not specified that may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications / Required Skills

Required Qualifications:
• Two (2) years of 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 communities including social housing, cooperative housing; and affordability housing societies
• Experience providing assisted referrals 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 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

Position reports to: Specialized Services Manager

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 support to over 700 women and children daily to help them survive the conditions that surround them.