EXTERNAL - Guest Support Worker - Relief

Job summary

The Guest Support Worker provides direct support to homeless or precariously housed individuals, acting as the first point of contact for guests. They are responsible for meeting basic needs, de-escalating conflicts, and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure safe service delivery.

Job details

Guest Support Worker - Relief Posting Type: EXTERNAL Rate of Pay: $25.25 Employment Type: Union - Relief Location: Multiple; (Main Building, and Mercy House/Shelter) Shifts: Flexible schedule including days, evenings and weekend About Us Our mission is to create and sustain an inclusive safe and compassionate community where people who are underserved, at risk or in need, receive nourishment, health and social support, housing, and respite from discrimination, loneliness, and exclusion. Our vision: Kindness wanted, kindness shared, a community where kindness flows in abundance. The Position The Guest Support Worker is an integral member of the interdisciplinary team and often the guests' first point of contact. This position offers support to individuals who are homeless or precariously housed and often dealing with mental health, physical health and/or addiction issues. The employees in these positions must build strong relationships with the Guests, assist Guests in accessing services, and use de-escalation skills as needed. Job Responsibilities: Ensure the basic needs of the Guests are met. Build and maintain positive working relationships with the Guests, while maintaining clear and consistent boundaries. Ability to work closely with team members and medical professionals. Participate effectively as a part of a larger, multi-disciplinary, primary health care team. Deliver and provide services to Guests in a safe and effective manner. Applying organizational policies and processes pertaining to Guest and workplace safety is critical. On-call shift structure. Must be willing to work flexible hours, including nights, evenings, and/or weekends (schedule can be discussed). Night Shifts for Shelter and Mercy House: 8PM-8AM (12-hour shifts). Day Shifts for Mercy House: 8AM-8PM (12-hour shifts). Day Shifts for the Main Building: 8 &12-hour shifts between the operational hours of 730AM-830PM. Key Qualifications: Education & Experience A degree or diploma in health or social services. Relevant working experience (i.e., in a shelter or residential setting, and/or a supportive environment) is considered an asset. Equivalences will be considered. Skills: Knowledge of available and relevant community resources for marginalized persons and populations. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to form relationships with marginalized persons and populations. Demonstrate a strong understanding of harm reduction, trauma informed care, and individualized, client-led care and programming. Sound judgement, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the effective use of boundaries is required. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Possess a strong understanding and sensitivity to diversity issues. Strong desire to help the most vulnerable in our society, and proven demonstration of this motivation through work, studies, and/or volunteer experience. Ability to provide a clear Record of Conduct and Vulnerable Sector Check (within six months) is required. What You Can Expect: A competitive salary, with the opportunity to transition into part-time and full-time roles as they become available. Preference will be given to internal applicants for any part-time and full-time vacancies, if the basic qualifications for the role are met by the applicant. Closing Date: September 20, 2026

What you’ll do

The Guest Support Worker provides direct support to homeless or precariously housed individuals, acting as the first point of contact for guests. They are responsible for meeting basic needs, de-escalating conflicts, and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure safe service delivery.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a degree or diploma in health or social services and demonstrate a strong understanding of harm reduction and trauma-informed care. The role requires the ability to work flexible shifts, including nights and weekends, and the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.

Listed skills

• crisis intervention · Preferred
• Problem solving · Preferred
• interpersonal skills · Preferred
• community resource navigation · Preferred
• Mental Health Support · Preferred
• case management · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• social services · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• De-escalation
• Crisis intervention
• Harm reduction
• Trauma informed care
• Client-led care
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Relationship building
• Case management
• Social services
• Mental health support
• Addiction support
• Boundary setting
• Community resource navigation
• Trauma Informed Approaches
• De-escalation Techniques
• Diversity And Inclusion
• Compassion
• Mental Health
• Social Work
• Health Maintenance
• Interpersonal Communications
• Problem Solving
• Primary Health Care
• Social Support
• Demonstration Skills
• Workplace Safety

Job areas

• Social Services
• Healthcare
• Customer Service & Support
• Client Support Worker
• Social / Human Services Assistant
• Social Work Associate Professionals
• Social and Human Service Assistants