Job Description

Description

The Shelter Supervisor provides a safe and secure environment for residents, clients, and staff from The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope. To support and supervise the shelter and intake team with their daily duties. Adheres to all Salvation Army Policies and procedures while maintaining a positive attitude and advance the Salvation Army Mission Statement and Values.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To work with ALL residents and staff from The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope.
• Uphold the Policies and Procedures of the Centre in carrying out daily duties.
• To be a good representative of The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope.
• To provide a secure, clean, and comfortable environment for all residents, staff, and all others who may attend the Centre in person or by phone, etc. in accordance with acceptable standards and in compliance with the Policies and Procedures of the Centre.
• To work as a team, lead at Halifax Centre of Hope, supporting the total ministry that occurs there.
• Accurately records day-to-day happenings using appropriate methods and maintains logbooks and completes occurrence reports.
• Acts as a positive role model.
• Liaises with referral sources and other external agencies as needed (e.g., DCS, police, parole, urgent situations, etc.)
• Coordinates client care relating to security issues; performs bed checks and room/personal searches.
• Oversees the admission, orientation, evaluation of clients/residents understanding of rules and discharging procedures. Ensures the ongoing enforcement of policies which may include client discipline.

Service Responsibilities:

• Ensure support congruent with the Centre of Hope's (COH) Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Work in accordance with COH policies, procedures, and philosophy of practice.
• Work in collaboration with other Shelter Staff within HRM. (Example: Metro Turning Point & Out of the Cold.)
• Advocate with community agencies as needed;
• Complete and maintain records, assessments, daily statistics, and files, and ensure confidentiality is protected.
• Commit to the development of COH projects and activities and participate in internal committees.
• Provide a supportive environment and foster a therapeutic milieu that promotes empowerment.
• To help maintain building security at all times during each shift.
• To utilize the camera security system and to assist with the maintenance of building security, reporting any functional problems to The Program Director and maintenance problems to Maintenance Lead.
• To provide Emergency/Fire procedural coverage as required under the Fire Plan with additional responsibilities in the absence of the Fire Coordinator.
• To provide active security checks during evening shifts according to policy standards.
• Perform other duties a required.

Task List:

• Deal with complaints and issues that arise in the Shelter
• Support the staff in dealing with the daily activities and issues related to the clients/residents in the program.
• Advocate for the clients/residents; always maintaining client confidentiality.
• Supervises front desk staff, and intake staff. Sets schedule for employees
• Supervise field placement students as required
• Relieve other staff to cover off meals and coffee breaks as required.
• Carry all safety items as assigned when on shift such as a two-way radio and cell phone; ensures team also follows procedure.
• Monitors and ensures staff safety practices in compliance with health and safety.
• Standards, and prepares, submits and acts on incident reports; identifies proactive safety measures to the supervisor based on needs and concerns
• Participates in or delegates the conduct of physical searches according to policy.
• Ensures all relevant processes are written, organized, and followed
• Ensures documentation of searches and results in logbook; and forwarding of documentation when required by policy and law.
• Ensures that staff maintains the security of the building and grounds
• May provide back-up support to and or assume functions at front desk area or other program areas as needed.
• Communicate a daily debriefing with front desk and intake staff when possible.
• Foster Teamwork - Work cooperatively and effectively with others to assist with training of new hires.
• Responsible for all new hires to be professionally trained.
• Provides a Lead - Positive influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the Organization.
• During Shift, provide support and supervision of staff concerning crisis intervention, as required to ensure the safety of residents and staff.
• Perform and document disciplinary meetings and warnings for team members and forward copies to program director and human resources for personal records.
• Ensure all staff in the department have up to date and accurate job descriptions
• Ensures you know and can administer all policies of the COH and ensure those that apply to your department are kept up to date.
• Ensure all departmental staff have a good working knowledge of COH policies and adhere to them.
• Ensure that all client files meet accreditation requirements.
• Review all incident discipline scale (TO model) and ensure all staff understand and use it for client discipline
• Create and maintain a restricted list based on the above discipline scale
• Full oversight and responsibility for the prescription medication program ensuring all polices are adhered
• Work with the Chaplain to see that clients receive a timely and ongoing spiritual assessment while in hospital.
• Maintain effective relationships with all partners such as DCS, HIFIS, CAH, shelter partners, pharmacy partners, and be liaison between team and program coordinator.

Program Development and Review

• Be familiar with the Policy and Procedures manual especially as it relates to your duties and area of responsibility;
• Ensure clearly marked detailed notes are kept
• Physically conduct intake at least one client a month
• Daily - Review all incident reports and confirm appropriate action is taken
• Weekly - Inspect at a minimum 5 processes a week for compliance
• Bi-weekly - Update turn-away data on HIFIS.
• Monthly - Head up a client review team with housing support team
• Ensures a desk clerk meeting is held once every 3 months.
• Monitor and report statistics regarding hospital clients, employee related incidents, police/EHS calls.
• Assists with analyzing operational data to evaluate shelter effectiveness
• When necessary, participates in developing shelter revisions.
• Provides operational reports, statistical, and evaluative information to management levels when required.
• Maintains complete, accurate, and up to date documentations in case files, including all documentation and correspondence.
• Obtains and secures appropriate documentation and signed release forms as required by law. To be kept secured until appropriate disposal times as per Salvation Army policy.
• Attend DCS shelter group meetings as requested from time to time
• Attend all supervisory and executive management meetings as scheduled
• To be prepared to conduct information sessions to corps and outside organizations of the work of COH

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• 1-2 Year Certificate Program preferably in Social / Human Services or other relevant Certificate Program is preferred and/or a combination of education and experience. Graduation of High School is mandatory.
• A minimum of three to five years of experience working with at-risk and homeless persons providing case management and advocacy is preferred.
• Non-violent crisis intervention (NVCI), Suicide Intervention (ASSIST), Standard First Aid, Naloxone training, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), and COH medication training and/or a commitment to secure those requirements within six months of being hired.
• Knowledge of Homelessness, mental health and/or addictions
• Works well under pressure; maintains professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Independent and a team player

PREFERRED SKILLS/CAPABILITIES:

• Knowledge of mental health issues, substance abuse and crisis intervention.
• Demonstrated exceptional level of interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build appropriate and healthy rapport with at-risk and homeless persons.
• Ability to lead and work in a team environment.
• Dedicated team player and ability to work independently
• Good organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal skills.
• Strong writing skills documentation and correspondence
• Strong computer skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Extensive knowledge of Outlook and Internet necessary.
• Working knowledge of Housing First approaches, the social determinants of health, and services available within the community that impact an individual's ability and/or opportunities to move beyond personal and systemic barriers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and understanding of the barriers that deter at-risk individuals from obtaining and maintaining safe and affordable housing.
• Knowledge of issues and resources in the community development and capacity building.

ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ability to work within the mandate of The Salvation Army's Mission Statement.
• To promote and carry out the Mission, policies and objectives of The Salvation Army and Halifax Centre of Hope
• Maintain the strictest confidentiality to all prior and current clients, residents, and staff of the Halifax Centre of Hope.
• To expect to help with occasional special occasions after hours: i.e., Feast of Christmas, resident's Christmas Party, to be supportive to Chapel programs.

Role Competencies:

• Positive Attitude
• Communication
• Common Sense
• Leadership
• Independent
• Networking
• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Schedule may vary according to requirements of responsibilities - some weekend and evening work may be required. This is a 365-day 24/7 hours facility.
• The Number of hours worked is determined by your letter of employment; this position is based off 40 hours per week.
• You may be scheduled to work any of the three following shifts:

• 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM;
• 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM;
• 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM;
• You are entitled to 2 fifteen minutes paid coffee breaks during an 8-hour shift and a thirty-minute unpaid lunch break unless noted differently in your employment letter (NOTE: If the expectation is that you take lunch at your workstation then you will be paid for lunch period).
• Normal location of work is at The Salvation Army Halifax Centre of Hope, 2044 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS.

Interested applicants must respond in writing by December 31st, 2023 to:

Hiring Committee:

e-mail: Terence.Hale@salvationarmy.ca

The Salvation Army will accommodate candidates as required under applicable human rights legislation. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of your requirements.

We thank all applicants, however, only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS

The Salvation Army