Shift Supervisor (Temporary)

FIRST UNITED is a registered charity that has been serving Vancouvers 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 youre 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 ourvision mission and values.

FIRST UNITED is seeking one individual to cover a temporary leave of a Shift Supervisor in our 51 bed; low barrier shelter located in the Downtown Eastside. This position works Monday to Fridays 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and will cover the period from October 26 2026 until December 3 2026.

The Shift Supervisor supports the Shelter Program at First United by providing direct service and supervision to staff shelter residents and community members helping them understand and adhere to shelter and organizational policies and protocols encourage a healthy work culture guided by our mission and values and ensuring effective operations of the shelter program.

• Maintain a safe supportive environment within the shelter and problem solving for the fostering of effective team relationships.
• Provide leadership while participating in and overseeing the regular activities of the shelter. Take responsibility for all decisions including when to contact emergency services or to escalate an issue to management. Taking an active role in defusing and de-escalating aggressive situations ensuring organizational policies best practices and safety procedures are following including proper incident reporting maintain the cleanliness and safety of the space and coordinating necessary services for repairs and cleaning.
• Monitor facility to maintain safety of clients and shelter space.
• Assist clients with shelter routines.
• Support clients in following all shelter procedures.
• Help clients work through conflict with others living in the shelter.
• Keep shelter clean restock supplies and ensure that bed checks and wake up calls are being done.
• Communicate observations and interactions with clients to shelter manager and shelter management through documentation in shift reports and reports.
• Ensure confidentiality and professional language are practiced at all times.
• Assist with shelter meals as required following all food safety guidelines.
• Intervene in incidents in the shelter using appropriate techniques and safety procedures.
• Complete documentation as needed for client reporting and incident reporting.
• Basic maintenance organization & cleaning of facilities.
• Treat clients in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Assist with scheduling/shift coverage.
• Participate in Departmental staff meetings and relevant trainings as required.
• Adhere to agency policy procedures and practices including Occupational Health and Safety.
• Direct staff when emergency protocols required (critical incidents overdoses medical emergencies etc.).
• Complete all duties as assigned. Other duties as required.
• Due to the nature of the 24 hr/365 day shelter operations shifts may be day evening or overnight.

• Minimum Grade 12
• Related training in non-violent crisis intervention
• Basic First Aid Certification.
• Post-secondary diploma or degree in related field.
• Food safe level 1.
• NVCI.
• Trained in naloxone.
• Minimum 2 years experience working with clients who experience addiction and/or mental health.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Supervision of shelter resource workers shelter residents and community members.

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.