Relief Shelter Worker (15 positions)

Employment Type: Relief (Permanent Contract)
Department: Shelter and Respite Services
Union: Included 
Salary: Level 2
File #: 25-SRS-10 (15 OPEN)
Posting Date: October 15, 2025
Posting Close: October 29, 2025

The Relief Shelter Worker will be required to work on call, as needed.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Manager, Housing Scheduling and Relief Shelter Workers, the Relief Shelter Worker responds to the needs of those who require our services and works with individuals to assist them in improving their overall quality of life.
 
Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate in an effective, efficient and client focused manner to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
• Work collaboratively with the shelter and housing team, other Dixon Hall staff and departments and volunteers.
• Respond to the needs of residents using the facility.
• Ensure a safe and responsible environment and encourage residents’ input.
• Adhere to Toronto Shelter Standards, Municipal fire safety, Board of Health guidelines and Hostel guidelines in the operation of the program.
• Participate in the planning and delivery of programs and activities to address the health, employment, housing and social and recreational needs of the residents.
• Work as a resource for residents, particularly around housing issues, support and advocacy.
• Develop positive relationships with community groups, neighbours and resources in the larger community.
• Participate in on-going team building, ensuring peer accountability, strong communication and support.
• Attend and actively participate in department and agency meetings, training, workshops, etc., as required.
• Use intervention and mediation skills to defuse potential conflicts.
• Ensure all relevant information is communicated to the Manager and co-workers.
• Perform light housekeeping and maintenance tasks to ensure a clean work environment.
• Undertake other tasks and responsibilities as assigned within the purview of the job description.
• Ensure all record keeping is up-to-date, review all incidents and log reports on each shift.
• Participate in Client Intake Process in the Shelter(s).
• Maintain appropriate information for funder reports as necessary.
• Maintain client files.
• Provide letters for clients.
• Other duties as required.

This job description does not represent a complete account of the duties and responsibilities of the job but rather a summary of those duties and responsibilities in effect at the time of writing. The role and its responsibilities will evolve as the job continues to evolve in the future. Future responsibilities will include such duties as assigned in keeping with the developing nature of the job.
 
Qualifications

• Community Worker or Social Services Worker Diploma.
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience in providing support to homeless and /or marginally housed, and mental health, addiction or abuse issues.
• Valid certificates in Standard First Aid and CPR, Hostel Standards, CPI, Case Management, Anti-racism/Anti-oppression, Documentation (Note Taking) Skills, WHMIS
• Demonstrated awareness and knowledge of issues impacting homeless individuals.
• Understanding and appreciation for issues of inclusion and diversity.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of anti-racism, anti-sexism and to challenging other forms of oppression.
• Demonstrated experience working within a diverse ethno-racial, multi-lingual groups in an adult community setting.
• Strong verbal and written English language skills; fluency in additional languages an asset
• Computer literacy
• Knowledge of issues affecting this population and knowledge of emergency and social services.
• Able to travel to all of the shelter program sites operated and managed by the Agency.
• Ability to handle emergency situations; harm reduction skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal, conflict resolution and organization skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Must be qualified to work in Canada legally for the employer.
• Able to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening check with a ‘Clear’ or satisfactory result that meets the operational requirements of the Agency.
• Must have up-to-date vaccinations against COVID-19 with a vaccine that has been approved for use in Canada.

Working Conditions

• Working at all shelter, respite shelters, and hotel shelters operated by the Agency.
• Working in a variety of indoor environments.
• Lighting: fluorescent and halogen.
• Sitting in front of computer for long hours.
• Exposure to aggressive situations; high stress levels.
• Stair climbing.
• Flexibility in working hours; evening and weekends as required.

Physical and Sensory Demands

• Able to work in the variety of physical environments presented by the shelters, respite shelters, and hotel shelter sites that are operated by the Agency, some of which do not meet current minimum requirements established by AODA accessibility standards.
• Able to physically react and move quickly, as necessary, in order to facilitate protecting oneself from harm.
• Able to manipulate the keys on a keyboard.
• Able to climb stairs and navigate the spaces in non-AODA compliant buildings (i.e. heritage properties) used by the Agency.
• Able to carry up to 20 lbs. (9.07 kg).