Overdose Prevention Site Worker
About the role
Status: Temporary Part-time
Work Site: Overdose Prevention Site
Department: Programs & Services Department
Hours: 12 hours per week
Shifts: Sunday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Grid level: Grid Level 12, Step 1
Wage: $ 29.17/hour
Posting Date: September 5, 2025
Closing Date: Open until position is filled
This position is temporary, filling the role of a permanent employee who is currently on leave. Be part of our inspiring mission-driven team at Squamish Helping Hands Society.
We are a registered charity operating in the Sea to Sky region, based in Squamish. We believe in being part of a community where everyone matters, and where housing and access to food are human rights.
Ultimately, we want to create “a safe and healthy community for all”. We feel we can only do that by meeting people where they are and helping them to create capacity building plans for themselves leading them to where they want to go. We are a community where we believe that everyone has something to contribute, and that consequences help inform our choices.
This position is open internally to all staff and externally. Hiring will be evaluated in accordance with the Collective Agreement. Qualified internal candidates shall be considered and interviewed prior to external candidates.
Squamish Helping Hands Society is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities, and persons with disabilities.
This position requires membership in the Union.
Interested individuals should apply by providing a resume and cover letter to SHHS Management Team at hr@shhs.ca quoting the Posting No. “2025 – 49” and the Position “temporary Overdose Prevention Site Worker”. We thank and acknowledge all applicants and will proactively contact those selected for an interview.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) Worker plays a vital role in promoting harm reduction and providing life-saving interventions within an overdose prevention site. As an OPS Worker, you will be responsible for creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals who use drugs, with the primary goal of preventing fatal overdoses and connecting individuals to additional healthcare and support services. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team and directly interact with clients to provide education, overdose response, crisis intervention, and referrals to appropriate resources.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Monitor clients in the overdose prevention site to identify potential overdoses promptly.
- Administer naloxone and provide emergency response during overdose situations.
- Follow established protocols to respond to overdoses effectively and ensure clients’ safety.
- Document and report all incidents, interventions, and observations accurately and promptly.
- Engage with clients in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner to establish rapport and trust.
- Provide information and education on safer drug use practices, harm reduction strategies, and overdose prevention techniques.
- Supervise people to administer their own drugs.
- Assist with stocking, organizing and inventory of supplies.
- Distribute harm reduction supplies, including clean needles, naloxone kits, and other related materials and ensure safe disposal of used equipment in accordance with establish protocols.
- Assess clients’ needs and connect them to appropriate resources, including healthcare services, addiction treatment programs, housing support, mental health services, and social assistance programs.
- Collaborate with external service providers and engage in advocacy to ensure clients receive comprehensive care and follow-up support.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions, interventions, and referrals; complete incident reports, progress notes, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, within a team environment and with volunteers.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated experience working with disadvantaged adults who are experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health, or other barriers to independence.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships within the community that will facilitate a continuum of care that is client-centered and that mobilizes resources to support agency programming.
- A working knowledge of community resources and the ability to liaise with service providers such as government agencies and community organizations to help others access support.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule to best meet the needs of the clients.
- Demonstrated ability to be open-minded and non-judgmental.
- Strong computer skills, working knowledge of common computer programs.
- Strong understanding of issues facing people with barriers and related knowledge of relevant services and programs available both locally and provincially.
- Demonstrated ability to take direction from others.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and maintain client-worker boundaries
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
- Diploma level in Social Work, Community Social Services, or relevant discipline.
- Minimum two years previous experience working with homeless and at-risk individuals.
- Experience and knowledge of harm reduction principles, substance use, and overdose prevention strategies.
- The successful candidate will be subject to a Criminal Record Check.
- Level 1 First Aid Certificate.
- Additional preferred Assets – training in: Capacity Building Approaches; Crisis Intervention Skills; Conflict Resolution; Hostile Interactions/De-escalation skills.
- An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
WORKING WITH US YOU CAN ENJOY:
- An amazing, friendly, and emotionally intelligent team.
- A great community – Squamish is for the adventurous.
- Free meals on site.
- Casual dress policy.
- A wonderful new facility.
About Squamish Helping Hands
The Squamish Helping Hands Society provides food, shelter and community to individuals and families in the Sea to Sky Region who are living with or threatened by homelessness.
We operate a shelter that provides meals, supplies, support, and emergency beds. Our Emergency Shelter is open 365 days a year. We also operate an Extreme Weather Program that offers additional emergency shelter beds during inclement weather. The Helping Hands Home InStead transition house offers supportive housing to individuals transitioning to independent living.
The Drop In Centre is open 7 days a week, offering hot meals and all day snacks; bathroom, showers, laundry, clothing, toiletries, survival supplies; phone and internet access; onsite clinicians; case planning & referrals including assistance accessing mental health and addiction services. Helping Hands also provides a variety of betterment programs, such as wellness classes, stress management, income tax service, money management, haircuts and more – all to assist clients as they integrate into the community.
Squamish Helping Hands also operates a food rescue program that helps to support our shelter meals as well as a school lunch program and provides meals-to-go and food hampers for individuals and families in the community.
Besides food and shelter, we strive to provide a sense of community, through individualized support from our case workers who assist our clients in their transition from homeless to housed.
Overdose Prevention Site Worker
About the role
Status: Temporary Part-time
Work Site: Overdose Prevention Site
Department: Programs & Services Department
Hours: 12 hours per week
Shifts: Sunday, 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Grid level: Grid Level 12, Step 1
Wage: $ 29.17/hour
Posting Date: September 5, 2025
Closing Date: Open until position is filled
This position is temporary, filling the role of a permanent employee who is currently on leave. Be part of our inspiring mission-driven team at Squamish Helping Hands Society.
We are a registered charity operating in the Sea to Sky region, based in Squamish. We believe in being part of a community where everyone matters, and where housing and access to food are human rights.
Ultimately, we want to create “a safe and healthy community for all”. We feel we can only do that by meeting people where they are and helping them to create capacity building plans for themselves leading them to where they want to go. We are a community where we believe that everyone has something to contribute, and that consequences help inform our choices.
This position is open internally to all staff and externally. Hiring will be evaluated in accordance with the Collective Agreement. Qualified internal candidates shall be considered and interviewed prior to external candidates.
Squamish Helping Hands Society is an equal opportunity employer, committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous applicants, all genders, nationalities, and persons with disabilities.
This position requires membership in the Union.
Interested individuals should apply by providing a resume and cover letter to SHHS Management Team at hr@shhs.ca quoting the Posting No. “2025 – 49” and the Position “temporary Overdose Prevention Site Worker”. We thank and acknowledge all applicants and will proactively contact those selected for an interview.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Overdose Prevention Site (OPS) Worker plays a vital role in promoting harm reduction and providing life-saving interventions within an overdose prevention site. As an OPS Worker, you will be responsible for creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals who use drugs, with the primary goal of preventing fatal overdoses and connecting individuals to additional healthcare and support services. You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team and directly interact with clients to provide education, overdose response, crisis intervention, and referrals to appropriate resources.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Monitor clients in the overdose prevention site to identify potential overdoses promptly.
- Administer naloxone and provide emergency response during overdose situations.
- Follow established protocols to respond to overdoses effectively and ensure clients’ safety.
- Document and report all incidents, interventions, and observations accurately and promptly.
- Engage with clients in a non-judgmental and compassionate manner to establish rapport and trust.
- Provide information and education on safer drug use practices, harm reduction strategies, and overdose prevention techniques.
- Supervise people to administer their own drugs.
- Assist with stocking, organizing and inventory of supplies.
- Distribute harm reduction supplies, including clean needles, naloxone kits, and other related materials and ensure safe disposal of used equipment in accordance with establish protocols.
- Assess clients’ needs and connect them to appropriate resources, including healthcare services, addiction treatment programs, housing support, mental health services, and social assistance programs.
- Collaborate with external service providers and engage in advocacy to ensure clients receive comprehensive care and follow-up support.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of client interactions, interventions, and referrals; complete incident reports, progress notes, and other required documentation in a timely manner.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, within a team environment and with volunteers.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated experience working with disadvantaged adults who are experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health, or other barriers to independence.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships within the community that will facilitate a continuum of care that is client-centered and that mobilizes resources to support agency programming.
- A working knowledge of community resources and the ability to liaise with service providers such as government agencies and community organizations to help others access support.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule to best meet the needs of the clients.
- Demonstrated ability to be open-minded and non-judgmental.
- Strong computer skills, working knowledge of common computer programs.
- Strong understanding of issues facing people with barriers and related knowledge of relevant services and programs available both locally and provincially.
- Demonstrated ability to take direction from others.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and maintain client-worker boundaries
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
- Diploma level in Social Work, Community Social Services, or relevant discipline.
- Minimum two years previous experience working with homeless and at-risk individuals.
- Experience and knowledge of harm reduction principles, substance use, and overdose prevention strategies.
- The successful candidate will be subject to a Criminal Record Check.
- Level 1 First Aid Certificate.
- Additional preferred Assets – training in: Capacity Building Approaches; Crisis Intervention Skills; Conflict Resolution; Hostile Interactions/De-escalation skills.
- An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
WORKING WITH US YOU CAN ENJOY:
- An amazing, friendly, and emotionally intelligent team.
- A great community – Squamish is for the adventurous.
- Free meals on site.
- Casual dress policy.
- A wonderful new facility.
About Squamish Helping Hands
The Squamish Helping Hands Society provides food, shelter and community to individuals and families in the Sea to Sky Region who are living with or threatened by homelessness.
We operate a shelter that provides meals, supplies, support, and emergency beds. Our Emergency Shelter is open 365 days a year. We also operate an Extreme Weather Program that offers additional emergency shelter beds during inclement weather. The Helping Hands Home InStead transition house offers supportive housing to individuals transitioning to independent living.
The Drop In Centre is open 7 days a week, offering hot meals and all day snacks; bathroom, showers, laundry, clothing, toiletries, survival supplies; phone and internet access; onsite clinicians; case planning & referrals including assistance accessing mental health and addiction services. Helping Hands also provides a variety of betterment programs, such as wellness classes, stress management, income tax service, money management, haircuts and more – all to assist clients as they integrate into the community.
Squamish Helping Hands also operates a food rescue program that helps to support our shelter meals as well as a school lunch program and provides meals-to-go and food hampers for individuals and families in the community.
Besides food and shelter, we strive to provide a sense of community, through individualized support from our case workers who assist our clients in their transition from homeless to housed.