Emergency Shelter Worker - Relief (Afternoons)

Join Our Mission at the Calgary Drop-In Centre

At the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI), we’re looking for passionate, community-minded people who know that kindness can change lives.

Whether you’re helping guests find housing, supporting their recovery journey, or keeping our operations running strong, your work here truly matters. Every role at the DI is about creating possibilities for others, and for yourself.

Who We Are

The Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI) is a low-barrier, housing-focused organization serving some of Calgary’s most vulnerable community members.

We believe everyone deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive. Every day, our team meets people where they’re at — offering basic needs, compassion, and connection while helping them move toward stable, permanent housing.

Our work is guided by the principles of housing first, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented practice. But above all, we’re guided by people — their stories, their strengths, and their potential.

When you join the DI, you’re joining a team built on respect, collaboration, and heart.

The Opportunity

Position Title: Emergency Shelter Worker
Reports To: Coordinator, Emergency Shelter – Afternoons
Employment Type: Casual
Schedule: As Relief staff, you will help support staffing coverage for vacations, sick leave, and other absences. Relief shifts are assigned on an as-needed basis, offering flexibility while supporting the needs of the organization. We offer three shift options, and employees are assigned to a single shift to support consistency for both staff and the people we serve. Afternoon shifts are: 2PM/5PM to 10PM

Location: 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, Alberta

About the Department

Our Housing-Focused Emergency Shelters provide 24-hour, low-barrier shelter and essential supports for adults experiencing homelessness in Calgary. The shelters are designed to be accessible and inclusive. Individuals are not turned away due to substance use, mental health challenges, or lack of identification. This low-barrier approach helps ensure that people facing the greatest risks can access warmth, safety, and necessities when they need them most.

What You’ll Do

Every role at the DI makes a difference. In this position, you will:

• Create meaningful connections with clients, community members, volunteers, emergency responders, and DI staff by engaging with professionalism, compassion, and respect, while providing trauma-informed, client-centered support that honours each individual’s unique experiences, strengths, and goals.
• Serve as a visible and approachable ambassador for the DI, engaging with clients and stakeholders while promoting and reinforcing Centre guidelines in a respectful and supportive manner.
• Champion positive housing outcomes by engaging clients in solution-focused conversations, and connecting them with the resources needed to achieve housing stability.
• Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that requires the ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs, move quickly in response to emerging situations, bend, kneel, reach overhead, climb stairs or ladders, and remain seated or standing for extended periods as needed.
• Support the day-to-day success of the program by completing a variety of operational and client-focused tasks, including facility upkeep, laundry duties, wellness checks, location monitoring, and other duties outlined in procedures or assigned by the Coordinator.
• Foster positive health outcomes by partnering with the medical team to communicate client health needs and support effective medication distribution.

What You Bring

We know that great people come from all kinds of backgrounds. You don’t have to check every single box! If you’re passionate about helping others and share our values, we want to hear from you.

Must-Have’s

• Knowledge of community resources for homelessness, health, mental health and substance use
• Understanding of the needs of marginalized adults and homelessness issues
• Must be acceptable of industry risks, including coming into contact with bodily fluids
• Basic First Aid and CPR/AED Level C certification required
• Ability to provide a satisfactory vulnerable sector clearance check
• A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, values, and work of the agency.

Nice to Have’s

• Completion of (or working towards) a college or university program in any of the following; human services, community support, social service work, psychology, sociology, addictions or health-related discipline is considered an asset
• Previous work experience in a social service environment is a definite asset
• A combination of education/practical experience may be considered
• Experience working in distress and/or high-stress situations, which may include emergency response
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population
• Excellent Analytical Skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills, both, written and verbal
• Excellent professional boundaries
• Strong customer service orientation would be ideal

Working at the DI

Working at the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI) means being part of meaningful, human-centered work that can sometimes involve complex and emotionally charged situations. You may encounter individuals experiencing crisis, distress, or strong emotions, and situations that require calm, quick thinking, and compassion under pressure.

We know this work can be intense and we also know it’s deeply impactful. That’s why we prioritize staff wellbeing through training, peer and supervisory support, debriefing opportunities, and a strong culture of teamwork. Our environment calls for resilience and steadiness, but it also offers the reward of seeing real change and connection every day. Some roles may also involve occasional exposure to medical distress or bodily fluids, and safety protocols and resources are always in place to support you.

Compensation & Benefits

We believe in taking care of our people so they can take care of others. Our total rewards package includes:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health and dental benefits
• Employer-matching RRSP program
• Paid vacation, sick, and wellness days
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (Homewood EFAP)
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Onsite Parking

Benefits typically begin on the first of the month following your start date, and our P&C team will ensure you have clear information and support from day one.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

Joining the DI means joining a community that believes in people and their capacity, resilience, and worth. You’ll have the chance to:

• Make a tangible difference in people’s lives every single day
• Work with a team that values respect, compassion, and authenticity
• Collaborate with dedicated professionals and community partners
• Be part of an organization that encourages growth, wellbeing, and innovation

You’ll play a key role in supporting an integrated, person-centered approach that promotes wellbeing, dignity, and connection for every individual we serve. At the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI), our team members help create safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces where people can access the support they need to move toward stability and housing. In every interaction, you’ll contribute to high-quality, compassionate service that reflects the shared mission, vision, and values of the DI.

Inclusion & Accessibility

At the Calgary Drop-In Centre (the DI), we believe inclusion, compassion, and respect make us stronger as an organization and as a community. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to support you.

Ready to Apply?

If this opportunity sounds like the right fit, we’d love to meet you.

Please apply with your resume and cover letter here.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about working at the DI, please visit our website here.