YW Calgary is occasionally able to accommodate enthusiastic Women Support Partners to join our team at the YW Crisis Shelter. Reporting to the Supervisor, YW Crisis Shelter the Women’s Support Worker is responsible for providing inclusive and equitable support to women and their children residing in our domestic violence shelter. The women’s support worker works collaboratively with key shelter staff to ensure a strong, innovative support system is in place for women and children impacted by domestic violence.

This is a part-time weekend position: Saturdays and Sundays, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM

This role involves working in a domestic violence crisis shelter with a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, responding to urgent situations while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. It requires emotional resilience due to occasional exposure to trauma and crisis, demanding adaptability and strong self-care practices.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for individuals and our community
• A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development
• Comprehensive benefits including an employee assistance plan

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Use principles of client-centered, trauma-informed care to provide support and crisis intervention for women and children shelter residents who have experienced violence.
• Answer all calls on the 24-hour crisis line during shift, screen potential residents and support transition to another shelter or support if we cannot accommodate.
• Monitors security cameras and secure entrances to ensure safety.
• Conduct intake with residents, including risk assessment and safety planning.
• Provide move-in and move-out room checks with residents.
• Build and maintain positive, supportive, non-judgmental, and respectful resident relations.
• Support and assist shelter residents with questions, concerns, hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, bedding, food, and other needs as they arise.
• Provide information about and/or referrals to appropriate community agencies and resources.
• Maintain the safety and security of the shelter and report concerns to the organizational and/or facilities on-call.
• Ensures the privacy and confidentiality of all shelter residents by not confirming the identity of residents, and monitoring the admission of guests, visitors, vendors, contractors, and authorities as required.
• Communicate necessary resident information at shift at shift change to incoming staff.
• Maintain shelter cleanliness through light housekeeping and support inventory management by monitoring and restocking supplies as needed.
• Enter and maintain resident information in electronic and physical files.
• Keeps accurate records and ensures data entry is completed on time and according to organizational and program standards.
• Completes data audits regularly to ensure data entry is accurate and fixes errors in a timely manner when requested by manager.
• Completes relevant pre and post scales and other data collection as required.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into one’s role, work, and engagement with others, as aligned with YW Calgary’s values and Practice Framework.
• Share individual accountability to create and maintain inclusive and safe spaces and practices (physically and psychologically) that are open, transparent, and encourage accountability, advocacy, and mentorship.
• Understand and remain current with YW Calgary Health, Safety and Wellness policies, practices and protocols and ensure work is performed in alignment with YW’s culture.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:

• Bachelor’s in social work or equivalent in the Human Services field. A combination of education and experience in other areas will be considered.
• Certification in First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, Non-violent Crisis Intervention Training, Alberta Brain Story and/or
• Experience with gender-based violence is considered an asset.
• Certification or knowledge in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, and inclusive practices, along with experience supporting women facing complex barriers—such as violence, mental health challenges, and oppression—in crisis settings, is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated experience in systems navigation, case management, community development and partnership development are an asset.
• Experience working with a diverse clientele, including multi-cultural, newcomers to Canada and other equity-seeking groups are an asset.
• The ability to speak other languages would be an asset.
• Proficiency in using MS Office suite and other computer-based systems is required.
• You possess the capacity to be aware of and control your own emotions, moderate your behaviors and be flexible in your responses and handle interpersonal relationships judiciously.
• You regularly take initiative, use good judgment, show strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• You have experience and skills in conflict management and an aptitude towards managing crisis.
• You are an effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, and you don’t shy away from the difficult conversations.
• You openly question actions that are inconsistent with our ethics, code of conduct, mission and values and you treat everyone with fairness and respect.

If you want to change lives, we want to hear from you.
Deadline: until a successful candidate is found
Apply today by submitting your resume, cover letter, and salary expectations.
Check out our website for more information about YW Calgary: www.ywcalgary.ca

YW Calgary is committed to providing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace where all employees, volunteers and clients feel valued and respected, whatever their race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, ancestry, or place of origin.

Education

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree or better in Social Work or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

• First Aid and CPR Level C
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscit
• App Suicide Interven Skls
• Mental Health First Aid
• Non-Violent Crisis Inter
• Brain Story Certification