Assistant Shelter Manager

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community for nearly 140 years. We offer responsive, low-barrier services to individuals who are low-income, underhoused or homeless. We provide essential services to meet the daily needs of community members and engage in systems change work to reduce homelessness and break cycles of poverty. If you’re looking for purpose-filled work and want to make a difference in the community, this might be the opportunity for you.

What We Offer:

Salary: $81,082.09

• Annual salary progression for all staff
• Comprehensive health benefits that include an extended health and dental plan for regular staff, spouses and dependents
• Life insurance, Long-term Disability, and AD&D benefits
• 20 days of paid Annual Vacation
• 13 Statutory paid days off every year and 12 days of paid sick leave

This is a full time (37.5 hours per week) and temporary position for a One (1) year period to September 30, 2025.

Each job within the First United Church Community Ministry Society should promote our accomplishment of our vision, mission, and values.

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The Assistant Manager - Shelter aids in oversight of the shelter program at FIRST UNITED. Under the direction of the Shelter Manager, the Assistant Manager manages all staff employed in the shelter, assists with management and support of community members in the building and on the floor, and works closely with others in management and senior management roles to ensure financial viability and operational efficiency. The Assistant Manager works in close cooperation with the program, kitchen, operations, and office staff to ensure overall safety in the building, and the smooth integration of services and programs across the ministry.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the direction of the Shelter Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the multi-shift shelter services team. Assigns tasks and holds staff accountable for tasks based on the job description and established policies and procedures.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures for the Shelter Team and the Shelter Program which align with FIRST UNITED values, and our BC Housing contract.
• Under direction of the Shelter Manager, manages the performance of the Shelter Team including progressive discipline, coaching and performance reviews. Participates in recruitment, hiring, training and orientation of staff to maintain a full roster of full-time, part-time, and casual Shelter Resource Workers, Case Workers, and Shift Supervisors.
• Works with the Shelter Case Planners, and Shift Supervisors to provide case management and gateway services for shelter residences. Collaborates on decisions with regard to termination of shelter services for shelter residents.
• May make changes to the weekly staffing schedules, timesheets, leave requests and associated administrative duties regarding shelter staff.
• Ensures the overall safety of the shelter program and assists Case Planners with development of safety plans and referrals.
• Along with the Shelter Manager, meets regularly with shelter resource workers, shift supervisors and case planners.
• Reviews HIFIS documentation and shift reports to ensure accuracy and completion as directed by the Shelter Manager.
• Provides crisis intervention and one-to-one support to community members as needed.
• Provides information, referrals, and support to community members about services available at First United and in the wider community.
• Ensures the overall cleanliness of the shelter is maintained and participates as needed.
• Contributes to the overall safety of the shelter program. Develops and provides input to the development of safety plans and decisions regarding denial or restriction of service due to violent, abusive, or inappropriate conduct.
• Other relevant duties as required.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisory/Management Responsibility: Shift Supervisors, Shelter Resource Workers, Janitorial Staff.

Latitude: The Assistant Manager works closely with the Shelter Manager to ensure adequate coverage of management duties on a weekly basis, and to ensure a cohesive and trusting team culture.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Regular communication is maintained with all levels of management, staff, shelter residents, and community members.
• Communication is also maintained with management and co-workers as work is assigned and completed, and information is exchanged on an ongoing basis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post Secondary education, degree or diploma in a relevant field plus 3 years' experience in a non-profit related environment e.g., emergency shelter, group home, recovery house OR an equivalency of relevant education, management, and work experience combined.
• Experience in a unionized work environment and experience working with a collective agreement is required.
• Ability to maintain a calm, welcoming, empathetic, and professional demeanor with vulnerable and/or marginalized individuals.
• NVCI and First Aid/CPR.

JOB CLASSIFICATION & WAGES: Exempt Management Role

Hours/Days of Work: Full Time - Five (5) days per week. The schedule may be variable, flexible, and change in relation to coverage required but generally works Thursday - Monday, 9am-5pm.

Wages: Category 7-8 (2024)
$81,082.09 per annum

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous Person.