YWCA Cambridge is looking for a full-time, overnight Emergency Shelter Worker who is committed to our mission, vision and values and keen to be a part of a supportive environment that helps women move out of homelessness.
Reporting to the Shelter Manager, Shelter Workers provide support to women experiencing homelessness in a shelter model designed to provide a safe, warm, supportive space for women and gender-diverse individuals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using an integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive and trauma informed perspective, the Shelter Worker will assess the needs of women and offer supports that include crisis intervention, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, brief goal planning, and programming; while ensuring adherence to the YWCA’s vision, mission and values.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have post-secondary education in Social Work/Social Services or related field or equivalent experience or lived experience;
• Committed to advocating for and supporting women and gender expansive communities within a harm reduction approach;
• Experience working with marginalized women experiencing trauma, mental health, health and substance use struggles;
• Proven experience in crisis management and de-escalation techniques;
• Knowledge of social housing and shelter system in the Region of Waterloo;
• Experience working in a diverse community or setting;
• Ability to bring a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective to work;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Good knowledge of community resources;
• Ability to work from a trauma informed practice;
• Ability to work a schedule rotation which includes days, early mornings, afternoons, evenings, overnights and weekends based on program needs;
• Must provide a current Vulnerable sector police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
  The current hourly rate for this position is $24/hour (with a $2/hour shift premium for overnight shifts). The location of this job is Cambridge, Ontario and it will be an in-person, on site position.
  Interested candidates should send their resume before 4:00 pm on August 15, 2025 to

• Works with women to identify & support their personal goals and objectives; to achieve immediate stabilization and wrap around support needed
• Provision of basic needs, harm reduction supports and support with serving meals as needed
• Liaises with community partners including Emergency Services, Housing Providers, Housing First Programs, hospitals;
• Conducts initial intake, assessments for the woman accessing services;
• Provides crisis intervention and counseling support;
• Works with the Shelter Staff Team to provide a range of social work supports including goal setting, developing safety plans related to violence, addictions and/or mental health, crisis intervention, counselling support and advocacy;
• Offers referrals and assists clients in navigating services and housing in the community;
• Advocates on behalf of women;
• Data collection of outputs, outcomes and attendance and record keeping;
• Prepares program and cleans areas used for the program;
• Cleans biohazardous fluids as required;
• Performs general housekeeping duties including but not limited to completing laundry and room turnover;
• Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Cambridge Health and Safety policies and procedures,
• Familiar with, and adheres to the Occupational Health & Safety Act, (OHSA) Workplace Safety Insurance Board Act (WSIB), Human Rights and Employment Standards Act (ESA);