Case Support Worker

Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter Employment Opportunity

Case Support Worker

Location: Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter
Bushe River, Alberta

Reports to: Case Manager

Available Position Types: 5 Full-Time and 3 Casual Positions
Schedule: Monday to Sunday, rotating shifts operating within a 24/7 work environment

Position Overview

Case Support Workers are frontline staff responsible for providing continuous, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded support to women and children residing in Dene Tha’ First Nation’s Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter.

In addition to providing ongoing stabilization and daily living support, Case Support Workers serve as the primary intake authority during assigned shifts. All admissions, initial assessments, and intake documentation are conducted by Case Support Workers to ensure seamless service delivery during the shelter’s initial operational phase.

Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, Case Support Workers contribute to client safety, emotional well-being, structured programming, and coordinated case planning. This role requires the ability to work rotating shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays, while responding calmly and professionally to crisis situations involving both adults and children.

Core Responsibilities

Intake, Admissions, and Initial Assessment

· Serve as the primary point of entry for women and children seeking shelter services during assigned shifts.

· Respond to intake-related phone calls, crisis calls, and information requests in a professional and trauma-informed manner.

· Welcome and orient new clients to the shelter environment in a calm, respectful, and culturally grounded manner.

· Provide shelter tours and explain programs, services, routines, and expectations clearly.

· Complete all intake documentation, including registration forms, consent forms, waivers, confidentiality agreements, and data entry requirements.

· Conduct comprehensive initial intake assessments to identify immediate needs, safety concerns, mental health considerations, child protection risks, and stabilization priorities.

· Create and maintain accurate client files and ensure timely sharing of intake information with the Case Manager.

· Conduct bag inspections in accordance with shelter safety policy while preserving dignity and respect.

· Monitor client presentation during intake for signs of escalation or distress and intervene appropriately.

· Coordinate admissions with Security and on-shift staff to ensure safe room assignment and placement.

· Escalate urgent or high-risk concerns immediately to the Case Manager, Security, or Facility Manager.

· Maintain accurate intake tracking using shelter data systems.

· Track and report intake volumes, trends, and presenting patterns to support program planning and continuous improvement.

Client Support, Stabilization, and Daily Living Assistance

· Provide direct emotional and practical support through regular wellness checks, crisis stabilization, active listening, and respectful presence.

· Assist clients with daily living needs, including routines, transportation, attending appointments, accessing necessities, and completing forms or applications.

· Support review of safety plans, danger assessments, and immediate stabilization goals.

· Encourage and support participation in shelter programming, group sessions, cultural activities, workshops, and healing-based supports.

· Lead shelter programming if requested or required.

· Maintain strong professional boundaries while delivering compassionate and non- judgmental care.

Safety, Crisis Response, and Shelter Operations

· Monitor common areas to ensure safety, respectful behaviour, and adherence to shelter guidelines.

· Respond promptly and appropriately to incidents, conflicts, or emergencies using trauma- informed de-escalation strategies.

· Collaborate with Security staff and management to maintain a safe environment.

· Support consistent enforcement of shelter policies and procedures.

· Assist with maintaining cleanliness and organization of common areas, including sanitizing high-touch surfaces as required.

· Support implementation of lockdowns, evacuations, or emergency protocols when necessary.

Child and Family Support

· Support the safety, emotional well-being, and stability of children residing with their parent or caregiver.

· Monitor environments and interactions to ensure children are protected from harm or distress.

· Collaborate with Early Childhood Educators and Case Management staff to support family-centered care and consistent routines.

· Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns related to child safety and follow mandatory reporting requirements.

Case Planning, Implementation, and Ongoing Support

· Conduct comprehensive client assessments to inform individualized case planning, including safety considerations, housing stability, legal needs, mental health supports, child well-being, and cultural supports.

· Develop, document, and implement individualized case plans in collaboration with each client, ensuring plans reflect identified risks, goals, and agreed-upon actions.

· Complete danger assessments, safety plans, and risk evaluations as part of the formal case planning process.

· Review and update case plans regularly to reflect progress, changing circumstances, emerging risks, or new support needs.

· Monitor client progress toward case plan goals and document outcomes, barriers, and interventions in a timely and accurate manner.

· Coordinate referrals to external agencies, community services, legal supports, housing providers, and cultural resources as identified within the case plan.

· Support discharge and transition planning by developing clear next steps, including housing arrangements, safety planning, and community follow-up supports.

· Ensure all case plans are complete, current, and compliant with shelter standards and funder
expectations.

· Submit completed case plans for supervisory review by the Case Manager as required.

Documentation, Records, and Confidentiality

· Complete accurate, timely, and confidential case notes, incident reports, and service documentation.

· Maintain up-to-date electronic and physical client files in accordance with shelter policy and privacy legislation.

· Record services provided and client outcomes to support continuity of care, quality assurance, and funder reporting.

· Ensure intake documentation is complete prior to transition to ongoing case management oversight.

Shared Shelter-Wide Responsibilities

All employees of the DTFN Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter work within the context of a 24/7 emergency shelter environment and share responsibility for upholding the safety, dignity, confidentiality, and well-being of all clients, children, families, staff, and the facility. While not all positions are shift-based or client-facing, all staff are expected to contribute to the effective and professional operation of the shelter by responding appropriately to safety concerns within the scope of their role, communicating concerns promptly to on-shift staff or management, and supporting colleagues during high-volume or critical situations as reasonably required.

All staff are expected to maintain ongoing compliance with confidentiality and privacy obligations and to participate in required trauma-informed, cultural safety, and role-specific training throughout their employment. These obligations are fundamental conditions of continued employment within the shelter.

Qualifications

· Degree, diploma, or certificate in social work, human services, community support, mental health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

· Minimum two years of frontline experience in a women’s and/or children’s shelter, crisis response setting, healing lodge, or Indigenous community-based program.

· Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed practice, gender-based violence, mental health, addiction, and intergenerational trauma.

· Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to remain calm and professional in high-stress situations.

· Commitment to cultural safety, Indigenous healing approaches, and respectful engagement with clients and colleagues.

· Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence and ability to travel as required.

· WHMIS, First Aid, CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).

· Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check and Child Intervention Check.

Work Environment and Conditions

· Rotating shift including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays.

· Trauma-exposed work environment requiring emotional resilience, professionalism, and strict adherence to confidentiality.

· Duties may include the accompaniment of clients to external appointments.

Closing Date: March 31, 2026

Send resume with a Criminal Record and Child Intervention checks to:

Human Resources Manager
Dene Tha’ First Nation
Box 958 High Level, AB TOH 1Z0
Phone: 780 926-2786 or Fax: (780) 926-5730
Email: DoreenA@denetha.ca

We thank all candidates in advance, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.