Housing Focused Shelter Team Lead

The Mustard Seed is a certified Best Christian Workplace and humanitarian organization whose vision is to build community, grow hope and support change. The Mustard Seed combats the root causes of poverty throughout Alberta and works to create positive, lasting change in the lives of those we serve. The Mustard Seed provides basic services – food, clothing, and shelter, and is now increasing our support services – health & wellness centers, education, and employment coaching, as well as permanent supportive housing to those living in poverty within Alberta and British Columbia. 

The Shelter Team Lead works alongside the Shelter Support Workers and the volunteers on the front line and is responsible for the running of basic services at the shelter. The team lead fulfills the mission of The Mustard Seed’s ministry by maintaining a high level of professionalism, respect and gratitude with all staff, donors, volunteers, community participants and visitors. The team lead makes the final decision when it comes to matters occurring on the floor and oversees shift operations. Crisis intervention and conflict resolution are daily occurrences for this role.

Position Type: Permanent Part-time
Schedule: 8-hour shifts, 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. (four days on, four days off)
Reporting to: Shelter Supervisor
Location: Strathcona Shelter
RFR#: 2319

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be a supportive and proactive leader overseeing the Shelter Support Team
• Follow appropriate health protocols and recommendations
• Participate in daily sanitization of sleeping areas, common areas, and restrooms
• Ensure provision of a warm, safe, clean space for respite for up to 40 adults
• Ensure the follow through of the Support Staff’s responsibilities
• Train, oversee, and mentor employees and volunteers
• Provide feedback and encouragement to Support Staff
• Facilitate team and critical incident debriefs
• Collaborate with Shelter Supervisor regarding operational and staffing concerns
• Liaise with Strathcona Shelter Staff and Wellness Advocates
• Support the dignity of our guests by seeking to identify their needs in a respectful manner
• Encourage and assist guests to seek resources and services that support guests in achieving their goals
• Enforce guest suspensions when necessary
• Provide crisis intervention as required
• Provide person-centered support and care to guests in a flexible way that meets their needs
• Take initiative to assess situations and make appropriate decisions to support staff and guests
• Be comfortable having spiritual conversations with guests
• Ensure that all emergency systems are fully operational and respond to any emergencies
• Without direct supervision, be responsible for maintaining accurate records as required
• Complete daily reports - ensure delivery of incident reports and collection and reporting of statistics
• Respect proper boundaries with guests
• Participate in all staff training
• Attend regular general meetings and support meetings with supervisor
• Support the ministry within The Mustard Seed Community
• Act as a positive ambassador of The Mustard Seed

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum 1 year experience in a social serving agency and/or counselling experience
• Experience working within the culture of the inner city and/or with the less fortunate
• A demonstrated passion to be involved in ending homelessness in Alberta
• Ministry background considered a strong asset
• Education in Social Work; Psychology; Counselling or related fields considered a strong asset
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong people and communication skills
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Able to multi-task and demonstrate organizational skills with shifting priorities
• Knowledge of mental illness and addictions
• Customer service experience an asset
• A self-starter with the ability to work in a cross-functional team
• Desire to serve amongst a marginalized population
• Experience working with volunteers

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working hours will include some or all of the following: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Shift times are subject to change with pandemic response needs.

• The working environment for this position requires moderate amounts of walking, climbing, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, and daily interactions with colleagues and guests.

• This position is often fast-paced, and requires moderate amount of mental effort to analyze information and problem solve.

• This position requires the training and usage of two-way radio communications; MS Office based computer programming, and other database systems

• This position is often fast-paced and requires moderate amount of mental effort to analyze information, problem solve and process documents and data.
• Moderate mental effort required to successfully accomplish the essential job functions such as responding to clients, intense situations (including traumatic incidents) and providing information.
• The working environment for this position requires moderate amounts of walking, climbing, standing, sitting, lifting, carrying, and daily interactions with colleagues and guests.
• This position requires the training in usage of a two-way radio communications; MS Office based computer programming, as well as the HMIS database system, FDARP, FOIP, First aid, NVCI, and SafeTALK.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have legal authorization to work in Canada on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.
• An employment background check is required for all positions at The Mustard Seed.
• As The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry, we require our employees to agree to respect and not detract from The Mustard Seed’s Employment Values during their employment at The Mustard Seed.

NOTE

• Your privacy is important to us. The information we collect is used solely for consideration for employment.
• We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to amend job advertisements. No phone calls please.
• Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.