Assistant Manager, Shelter

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouver's Downtown Eastside community for 140 years. We offer responsive, low-barrier services to individuals who are low-income, under-housed 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.

Each job within the FIRST UNITED CHURCH Community Ministry Society should promote the accomplishment of our vision, mission, and values.

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. This is an onsite position at 467 Alexander Street, Vancouver BC. 

• 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 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.

• 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 a 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

Supervisory Responsibility:

Shift Supervisors, Shelter Resource Workers, Janitorial Staff

Latitude:

Reports to the Shelter Manager, working closely to ensure adequate coverage of management duties on a weekly basis, and to ensure a cohesive and trusting team culture.  

Regular communication is maintained with all levels of management and staff while completing work. Key relationships include: 

• 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.