Residence Associate
Location: Downtown Hamilton Family YMCA – 79 James Street South, Hamilton, ON
Position Type: Part-time, Hourly
Position Grade: Grade 2
Rate of Pay: $19.25/hour
Position Description:
At the YMCA of Hamilton, Burlington, Brantford, we believe it is through the power of our people that the Y Saves Lives.
Residence Associates play an essential role in supporting a safe, respectful, and well-managed housing environment for men accessing the YMCA Men’s Residence and Transitional Living Program. Reporting to the General Manager, Residence Operations, the Residence Associate is a front-line, resident-facing position responsible for supporting daily residence operations, administrative functions, and resident services. This role acts as a key point of contact for residents, internal YMCA departments, and external partners, ensuring residence policies, safety standards, and program expectations are consistently upheld.
Residence Associates are expected to work from a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and person centred lens, demonstrating professionalism, empathy, sound judgment, and accountability within a communal living environment.
This is a part-time position requiring flexible availability, including early mornings (open shifts), evenings, weekends, and holidays.
What You’ll Do:
Front-Line Residence & Resident Support
- Serve as a primary point of access for residents, providing professional, respectful, and responsive service.
- Support day-to-day residence operations to maintain safety, order, and compliance with residence policies.
- Respond appropriately to resident concerns, incidents, and conflicts, escalating to leadership when required.
- Support in cash handling, move-ins, move-outs, lock-outs, key distribution, and unit access procedures.
- Enforce residence rules and community standards consistently and fairly.
- Engage in daily, positive interactions with residents to support community wellbeing.
Administrative & Systems Support
- Complete accurate data entry and documentation using AVOCADO and paper-based systems.
- Maintain resident files, logs, mail distribution, and filing systems.
- Support residence submission of applications for interview for the Transitional Living Program.
- Support tracking, logging, and completion of required metrics and operational data.
- Assist with food bank coordination, distribution, and documentation in our daily communication log as required.
Program & Operational Support
- Provide administrative and operational support to the Residence Support Navigator and General Manager.
- Assist in ensuring residence processes, documentation, and compliance requirements are followed.
- Communicate and coordinate with internal departments including Facilities, Security, Finance, and Programs.
- Monitor shared spaces and report maintenance, safety, or cleanliness concerns.
- Support audits, inspections, and compliance-related activities as required.
- Support resident mental health and wellbeing by connecting individuals to appropriate resources, exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality. Professional Practice & Communication.
- Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally with residents, staff, and community partners.
- Demonstrate appropriate empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Document incidents, interactions, and concerns accurately and in a timely manner.
- Uphold YMCA values, confidentiality standards, and organizational policies at all times.
What You’ll Bring:
- Post-secondary education (completed or in progress) in Social Service Work, Social Work, Psychology, Social Psychology, Criminology, Policing, or a related human services or justice focused field.
- Experience working in housing, shelter, case management, justice, or community-based social services (preferred).
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond appropriately in challenging situations.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced, communal living environment.
- Willingness to learn and use AVOCADO and other data management systems.
- Commitment to trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and person-centred practice.
All offers of employment will be subject to the provision that the successful incumbent provides the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford with a current and satisfactory Police Records Check. Positions responsible for the direct supervision of children and/or vulnerable persons will be required, in addition to a Police Records Check, to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening Report at the time of hire. Police Records Checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offence(s), if any, is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children; therefore, not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position.
Ready to Make a Difference? This is your chance to play a critical role in shaping a thriving, inclusive workplace where employees feel supported and empowered. If you’re passionate about people and excited to lead impactful initiatives, we want to hear from you!
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $19.25 per hour
Work Location: In person
