Shelter Nova Scotia
Casual Support Assistant – All Facilities
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada .
part-time . May 30, 2025
Description
Casual Support Assistant – All Facilities
At Shelter Nova Scotia we provide places to stay and services to promote stability for marginalized individuals. You will contribute to a community without judgement with spaces and places for people to belong.
About the Facility
· two emergency shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness (Barry House & Metro Turning Point)
· an affordable, supportive apartment complex for individuals who have experienced homelessness (The Rebuilding)
· an affordable, supportive living environment dedicated to individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and who have a long history of Alcohol Use Disorder (Herring Cove Apartments)
· two community residential facilities for individuals making the change from correctional facilities to community living (Nehiley House & Sir Sandford Fleming House)
Requirements
· Successful candidate must have post-secondary experience
· Favourable Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check will be required
· Must have Standard First Aid/CPR Level “C” or be willing to acquire within the first 6 months of employment.
Hours of Work
This is a casual position with no guarantee of hours. It is an expectation of casual staff to be able to work holidays and short notice shifts. Shifts may include daytime, evening, backshift, weekdays, weekends, and holidays. This is an awake position, staff are required to stay awake, alert, and vigilant at all times while on duty.
Salary
$21.39 + 4% vacation pay per cheque
Shelter Nova Scotia is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community without judgement. We value people for who they are, the uniqueness they bring and the opportunities to learn from our differences. We welcome applications from members of diverse communities.
Requirements
· Strong knowledge of the policies, procedures, structure, mission, and mandate of Shelter Nova Scotia
· Able to adhere to a strict policy of confidentiality, code of conduct, policies and procedures
· Ability to remain awake, alert, and vigilant at all times while on duty
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills
· Excellent attention to details and organizational skills
· Proficiency in Microsoft Applications, including: Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, Outlook
· Criminal Record Check
· Interviewing, counseling, and intervention techniques
· Knowledge of community programs and services serving individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
· Knowledge of the structure and organization of the Department of Community Services and applicable legislation and policies (Employment Support and Income assistance)
· Ability to understand cultural differences
· Ability to understand the dynamics of client behavior and assess their needs and risks
· Perform First Aid and/or CPR as required
Responsibilities
· Offer support and maintain the rights and security of the tenants, staff, and community
· Maintain professional, ethical boundaries at all times
· Maintain positive working relations with government and community agencies
· Represent Shelter Nova Scotia in the community in an appropriate and responsible manner
· Adhere to Health, Fire, and other standards, as required by applicable legislations
· Not disclose information contained within documentation with any tenant or unauthorized individual
· Not establish solitary confidentiality with the residents
· Maintain the daily operations of the building
· Daily cleaning and minor maintenance of the property, including apartments, where applicable. Report repairs as recognized
· Upon direction from the House Manager, conduct home visits with current tenants and provide ongoing support, referrals while building trusting relationships
· Where possible, identify risk factors or potential problems, and intervene before they become a crisis
· Maintain an accurate Communication Log
· Conduct building and property checks
· Participate in safety call procedures as per policy
· Maintain an accurate filing system
· Complete detailed shift briefings (to include updates on all tenant and building activities) as required by Shelter Nova Scotia policies as required
· Assist with meal preparation, if required
· Assist with Personal Care if required
· Assist tenants with self-administration of medications, if required, as per policies of Shelter Nova Scotia
· Maintain required documentation and reporting
· Upon direction from the House Manager, participate in apartment inspections
· Upon direction from the House Manager, inventory and secure the personal effects of tenants in the event a tenant is evicted or abandons their unit
· Attend staff meetings
· Upon direction from the House Manager, contribute to life skills and group activities
· Monitor activity of the building, including visitors
· Contact and follow direction of the Shelter Nova Scotia on-call personnel as required
· Participate in on-call duty rotation, where applicable
· Follow direction and perform other duties as required or deemed necessary by the House Manager or Director of Housing
Occupational Health and Safety
· Be knowledgeable of the Nova Scotia OH&S Act and regulations and abide by same
· Comply with the employee responsibilities as outlined in the Internal Responsibility System for OH&S and cooperating with occupational health and safety initiatives.
· responsible for following safe work procedures; using personal protective and safety equipment as required
· reporting any illness or injury immediately to their manager; reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions
Other
· Support volunteer and student placements by modeling professional behavior
· Support new employee orientation and training by assisting with training and knowledge transfer
· Perform other related duties as assigned
Mental, Visual and Physical Demand
· Working with guest group often leads to ambiguous situations that are stressful for the employees, management, and guests. Issues encountered are not easily unraveled, and solutions are at times difficult to address and achieve
· High stress environment, requiring sensitivity and confidentiality, and significant degree of visual and mental acuity
· Challenging, fast pace and constantly changing environment, with multiple interruptions and competing demands
Compensation
$21.39 per hour