Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Position Purpose summary:

The Chaplain provides intentional, directed, spiritual care for residents, staff, and community members at Vancouver Harbour Light. The position will organize and facilitate pastoral care services and spirituality-based classes and groups, including Christian programing. The Chaplain will provide Christian leadership in planning, directing, coordinating assist with residents and staff with a range of duties as assigned.

Accountabilities:

• Works with men and women within an adult multi-program residential facility setting.
• Prays with and/or leads people to faith in Jesus Christ as opportunity permits.
• Provides spiritual counsel/guidance to Harbour Light staff and community members and to clients residing in emergency shelters, treatment programs, CRF halfway-house, and residential housing.
• Primary provider of spiritual care for clients in the Diane Harwood Centre for Women
• Assists, advises, refers, guides Treatment Program clients in supportive recovery.
• Conducts interviews related to addiction treatment and other program participants, as required.
• Attends meetings, assists with and participates in specific assigned administrative duties.
• Leads and/or participates in scheduled Spirituality Classes to clients as part of Treatment Program.
• Leads and/or participates in morning Spiritual Reflections in both the men’s and women’s treatment programs.
• Assists clients towards achieving personal and spiritual well-being.
• Assists in planning and leading client outings, supervising participating clients and communicating concerns promptly regarding clients to program management and counselors.
• As assigned, provides leadership over special events and memorials.
• Works as a member of the Chaplaincy team and with other community agencies.
• Maintains written records and logs of activity reports and statistical information (SAMIS).
• Keeps accurate, current client notes, and follows program/facility policies for possible client charting in CAMS.
• May assist the Director of Spiritual Care, in the following areas; recruiting, training, and monitoring chaplaincy volunteers.
• Liaises with representatives of other faith communities as needed.
• Is knowledgeable about and acts in accordance with security procedures of the organization to ensure safety and confidentiality of clients and information.
• Organizes physical décor and set-up of chapel and other pastoral care areas.
• Serves on The Salvation Army working groups and committees as assigned.
• As assigned attend and participate in staff meetings and case management meetings for shelter, CRF, treatment and housing programs.

Performs other duties as assigned

MANAGERIAL/Technical Leadership RESPONSIBILITY:

• Reports directly to: Director of Spiritual Care
• Direct reports for this position: none
• The Chaplain may provide supervision to volunteers and/or practicum students.
• In-house committee involvement expected

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

• Access to highly confidential and private information.
• The Chaplain may be involved in minor financial matters regularly, or on a relief basis, and has responsibility for the wise use of their own resources. They may be authorized to spend, disburse, or collect small amounts of cash. They have very little input into the annual budget.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Hours of Work: Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This includes 7.5 paid hours and 0.5 hours unpaid lunch break. Some flexible hours of work may be required for special events and/or program activities, such as occasional evenings and/or Sundays.
• The Chaplain works in various spaces (office, chapel, program areas) within a residential social services setting, located in the downtown eastside of Vancouver.
• The performance of the job requires a moderate amount of standing, walking, assisting clients in wheelchairs/walkers, intervening in confrontations, and moderate computer use/data entry. The Chaplain required to lift up to 10 pounds.
• This position requires 0-10% travel, as this position may occasionally support VHL at community fairs/events within the Lower Mainland or accompany program clients on outings within the Metro Vancouver region.
• The position involves generally agreeable conditions; however, risks may include:
  • Physical or verbal aggression from others (e.g. angry people, people in crisis, etc.)
  • Possible exposure to drugs, alcohol, weapons, or other prohibited items
  • Possible exposure to sharp objects (i.e. needle sticks, knives and other weapons)
• The Chaplain must follow precautionary measures and all health & safety policies, including but not limited to:
  • Universal precautions
  • WHMIS, Mental Health First Aid, and Non-violent Crisis Intervention training

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

• Completion of a formal post-secondary or college program in theology, spiritual care, and/or chaplaincy, with a minimum program length of two academic years (e.g. Spiritual & Religious Care Certificate from Booth University College or equivalent)
• Ability to receive and maintain Criminal Record Review Program vulnerable sector clearance
• Ability to receive enhanced federal reliability status to work with federal correctional clients
• Current Certification or willingness to obtain certification in:
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (or equivalent)
  • Mental Health First Aid
• Valid Class 5 British Columbia Driver’s License

Experience and Skilled Knowledge Requirements

• Minimum one year experience working in a community, health or social services setting delivering services and supports specifically to women/female-identifying clients is a requirement.
• Minimum of one year of prior related experience in chaplaincy or a related field supporting individuals in dealing with substance use/recovery and incarceration
• Candidate should have a good understanding of complexities surrounding MAiD
• Knowledge of substance use/addiction and different recovery models (incl. 12-step), particularly in respect to the unique needs of women in recovery
• Knowledge/understanding of the needs, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for adult men and women in the DTES, e.g. substance use, mental health, homelessness, and gender-based violence
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed practices
• Experience in a community care licensed facility is an asset

Skills and Capabilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills, including coaching and/or conflict resolution skills
• Strong sense of integrity and confidentiality with professional ethics and a balanced sense of fairness and flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to provide spiritual guidance and support, with a spiritual/emotional understanding of the human heart
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally in writing and verbally in English
• Demonstrated ability to provide a healthy, safe, non-judgmental space for clients accessing social services and/or residential care, particularly in programs serving women/female-identifying clients
• Strategic thinking and planning, creative and collaborative problem solving, and willingness/desire to learn on the job
• Demonstrated comfort and skill working with diverse populations
• Clear, consistent, and values-oriented decision-making
• Intermediate computer skills, particularly ability to use Outlook-based email, basic Excel, and Word
• Experience working with CAMS or another cloud-based client database is an asset

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $47,962.59 to $59,953.24 with a maximum of $71,943.89.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email

Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca

if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.