Shelter Support Worker – MSW/BSW Student (Paid Part-Time)
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Position Type: Paid, Part-Time
Hours: Approximately 15–24 hours per week
Schedule: Flexible shifts, including evenings and weekends as required
Position Summary
We are seeking a compassionate and motivated Social Work (MSW/BSW) student to join our team as a Part-Time Shelter Support Worker.
This paid position is ideal for a current MSW student seeking meaningful frontline experience supporting individuals and families fleeing domestic violence and abuse. The successful candidate will work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team while developing practical skills in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, case support, and community referrals.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centred support to shelter residents.
- Assist with client intake, orientation, safety planning, and ongoing support.
- Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and active listening.
- Support clients in identifying goals and working toward safety, stability, and independence.
- Connect clients with housing, counselling, legal, healthcare, income, immigration, settlement, and other community resources.
- Assist with referrals, appointments, advocacy, and service navigation.
- Respond appropriately to crisis situations and follow established shelter and safety procedures.
- Maintain accurate and confidential case notes, shift reports, incident reports, and other documentation.
- Maintain professional boundaries and strict confidentiality.
- Work collaboratively with social workers, counsellors, case managers, and community partners.
- Assist with shelter programs, activities, and day-to-day operations as required.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a Social Work (BSW/MSW) program.
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or related human services background is preferred.
- Strong interest in domestic violence intervention, trauma-informed practice, crisis support, and community-based social work.
- Previous experience or volunteer work in shelters, social services, counselling, mental health, newcomer services, or community programs is an asset.
- Strong communication, active-listening, interpersonal, and documentation skills.
- Ability to remain calm, compassionate, and professional in crisis situations.
- Understanding of confidentiality, professional ethics, and appropriate boundaries.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Experience working with culturally diverse, immigrant, refugee, or newcomer communities is an asset.
- Additional languages, including Tigrinya, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, Swahili, Arabic, or other community languages, are a strong asset.
What We Offer
- Paid, part-time employment while completing your BSW/MSW.
- Flexible scheduling designed to complement academic commitments.
- Hands-on frontline social work experience.
- Practical experience in domestic violence intervention and trauma-informed care.
- Exposure to crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, case management, and community resource navigation.
- Opportunity to work alongside experienced social service professionals.
- A valuable opportunity to connect academic Social Work learning with real-world practice.
Additional Requirements
- Satisfactory Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Search, may be required.
- First Aid and CPR certification is an asset or willingness to obtain certification.
- Availability to work flexible shifts, including some evenings and weekends.
- Strong commitment to client safety, confidentiality, cultural responsiveness, dignity, and professional Social Work ethics.
This position provides an excellent opportunity for an BSW/MSW student to gain paid, practical experience while making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.
Pay: $20.00-$24.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
