Job Description

Career Opportunity
Position Title: Basic Needs Coordinator
Classification: Counsellor Level 2
Job Type: Casual shifts. Day, evening, overnight,
and weekend shift work will be required (8-12HR).
Department: Supportive Housing and Substance Use Health
Location: 55 Eccles
Reporting to: Manager, Supportive Housing and Substance Use Health
Compensation: $27.92/hr - $33.68/hr plus 14 hours of paid personal leave and optional participation in the HOOPP pension plan.
Deadline to apply: ..January 7th, 2026 by 5:00pm
Apply to:
About us
We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who experience vulnerabilities because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.
SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.
What the Program Entails
The Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub provides integrated support to people experiencing complex health and social issues related to substance use and addictions: and aims to connect people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their housing and/or people who have mental health, addictions and substance use health needs to treatment and preventative services, while addressing basic needs such as food, clothing and showers within the SHSUH program.
We are seeking passionate, dedicated individuals to join our dynamic team and contribute to meaningful change in the community.
Join us at SWCHC's HART HUB-SHSUH and become part of a dedicated team that is making a difference by providing integrated, person-centered care that empowers individuals and fosters lasting change.
What You'll Do
Reporting to the Manager, Supportive Housing and Substance Use Health the Basic Needs Coordinator works as part of an interdisciplinary team to organize and deliver basic needs support services to HART HUB clients.
As a member of the HART HUB, the Basic Needs Coordinator will work in conjunction with all teams of the HART HUB to serve clients seeking shower services, food, and the adjoining basic needs supplies such as hygiene products, clothing, and other supplies and supports as needed. The Basic Needs Coordinator will collaborate closely with members of the team such as Primary Care, Peer Workers, Health and Housing System Navigators, Housing Case Manager, and Counselling services. The Basic Needs Coordinator will be trained in overdose response and have a key responsibility for supplies organization, preparation and distribution, as well as Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC).
What We're Looking For
? Your Education Path

• Degree in Social Work (BSW); Social Service Work; or related health discipline plus three years' experience and passion for working with high-risk populations and active drug users OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

? Life and Work Experience

• Lived experience of drug use and/or experience in advocacy for persons who use drugs considered assets
• Experience in a drop-in, outreach or shelter setting is an asset
• Experience supporting people living with homelessness, mental health and addictions challenges
• Experience in overdose response is an asset
• Experience working within Medical Directives an asset
• Experience and knowledge in working with regulated health professionals an asset.

? Required Language

• Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of French an asset.

What You Bring to the Table

• Superior knowledge, skill and ability in diligently maintaining Infection Prevention & Control.
• Superior ability and commitment to organizing spaces, supplies.
• Positive attitude and commitment to all types of work, from client care and support to cleaning.
• Positive attitude, commitment and passion for supporting the lives of the people who use drugs we have the honour of working alongside.
• Skills in presenting a warm, welcoming and calming presence.
• Skills in relationship-building, rapport-building, negotiation, de-escalation, and boundaries management.
• Enhanced skills in non-violent crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Knowledge of best practice guidelines for individuals with substance use, and suicide assessment.
• Demonstrate and advocate for welcoming practices that are anchored in trauma-informed practices.
• Knowledge of street drug substances, psychoactive properties & possible drug interactions.
• Knowledge and ability to screen and assess for risk of overdose & withdrawal.
• Skills in creating care plans for clients. Experience creating care plans for clients experiencing dysregulation, violence & aggression an asset.
• Sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of health promotion, disease prevention, behaviour change and health teaching.
• Strong clinical assessment skills.
• Demonstrated ability and clinical expertise working with clients in crisis.
• Knowledge of concurrent mental health distress presentations including psychosis, trauma and emotional dysregulation.
• Knowledge of harm reduction approach and service delivery.
• Effective organizational, critical thinking, problem solving and independent decision-making skills.
• Ability to delegate.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work with people with concurrent disorders.
• Ability to work under stress with multiple demands.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge of legislation, acts and regulations that govern nursing practice.
• Valid CPR and First Aid.
• Successful completion of police record check for vulnerable populations.
• Excellent knowledge and experience regarding harm reduction approaches.
• Good understanding of health promotion, HIV and HCV transmission, Hepatitis A,B and C, STI's.
• Commitment to working from a health equity and anti-oppressive lens.

Your Day-to-Day at a Glance
As our Basic Needs Coordinator your responsibilities are:

• Active screening of clients seeking services.
• Supervision & accompaniment of clients accessing the building for shower & basic needs supplies.
• Infection prevention & control, including frequent and deep clean sanitizing, of shower spaces and adjoining supply distribution spaces.
• The organization, preparation and maintenance of supplies.
• Early response to any situations that require de-escalation.
• Support harm reduction clients in particular with any symptoms they are having related to substance use, mental health or trauma, and getting team support when needed to quickly and effectively support de-escalations.
• Ensuring the safe access and use of the Centre during shift coverage.
• Other duties as required.

Ready to Apply?
Take your career to the next level! Submit a cover letter and your resume by 5:00pm on January 7th, 2026, to:
Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity seeking groups. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in working with us. Due to high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Skills Required