Security - Relief

About Us

At the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre (the DI), we are dedicated to serving our community with kindness. Our mission – to work with community to end homelessness, one person at a time – goes beyond providing immediate support; we strive to create an environment where individuals can regain their confidence and rebuild their lives.

We are more than an emergency shelter. 

Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that everyone who walks through our doors feels welcomed, respected, and valued. What sets us apart is our holistic approach to support. We offer not only safe and comfortable accommodation and meals but also access to essential resources such as health and recovery services, and housing supports. 

All of our programs, including emergency shelter, are low-barrier, trauma-informed, housing-focused, and recovery-oriented, aimed at supporting Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens. And our doors are always open. 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Coordinator, Security, we need a security professional with a different approach to maintaining the safe and secure environment we've grown to appreciate. This role accentuates the difference we make in our community by addressing all security concerns with a compassionate approach to resolving issues in a restraint-free approach.  We serve our clients with respect and dignity, and consciously choose not to exercise power or control against our valued clients.

The candidate we are seeking will have prior training and experience in a security setting, will understand methods of conflict resolution, will have a proven customer service approach, solid references to support their compassion toward people, and will display confidence, strength of character, and a willingness to learn and grow.

This is a different kind of job, supporting our facilities as well as clients, staff, volunteers and members of the community, in a very demanding environment.  At any one time, you will be protecting the safety and security of people in a hectic and busy atmosphere.  We recognize it takes a special kind of person - someone who is resilient, enjoys working in close contact with people, and who can maintain their composure when situations escalate. 

Time Commitment

Our shifts require RELIEF staff to fill vacation, sick-time and other absences. Below is a summary of how the "RELIEF” positions work:

•    You will be dedicated to the Security team. Shifts will be 7 AM to 7 PM or 7 PM to 7 AM (overnight)
•    Phone calls or emails will be sent out with shift availabilities up to a minimum of 2 hours’ notice before the shift starts
•    It is expected that you answer the phone/text or emails when you are a relief employee
•    If you can not pick up a minimum of 3 shifts per month (when shifts are available), you will be removed from the relief staff list

Some unusual hours may be required from time to time as the need arises. Schedule may be altered at the discretion of management. There is no guarantee of shifts. Relief staff are scheduled on an as needed, when needed basis.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe living and working environment through humility, respect and compassion
• Security staff must show composure and humility when handling situations that may require them to remove person(s). They will use non-violent crisis intervention techniques
• Must maintain a professional and positive working relationship with emergency services. (i.e. CPS, CTS, EMS, etc.)
• Teams of security personnel provide a presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Security work can be physically demanding and always requires an individual to be alert
• The current high standard of customer service must be maintained and improved upon if possible; all members of the security team, as frontline staff, have a key role to play in this
• To provide assistance to new clients, volunteers, donors and members of the community at the main office and direct them to the appropriate avenues
• Monitoring premises, clients, community members, volunteers and staff via CCTV to ensure everyone has a safe and respectful living and working environment
• Monitoring the outside of the building for any illegal activity and taking appropriate action.
• Patrol of the building and floors while keeping in contact with the control room with the use of handheld radios
• Preparing for shift change by relating any information to help assist the oncoming staff.
• Review the DVR regarding criminal activity and taking proper course of action
• Required to keep your work station clean and tidy
• Dealing with enquiries from staff, clients, and public
• Responding to any security issues within the facility and the surrounding outside grounds
• Performs any related activity that has been asked of by the on-shift supervisor.

Required Competencies and Qualifications

• Alberta Security License is MANDATORY
• Satisfactory Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check – dated within the last 6 months. Copy required.
• Completion of a college or university program in any of the following; human services, police sciences, criminology or other related programs is a definite asset
• Previous work experience or background in military or law enforcement may replace formal education requirements
• Experience working in distress and/or high-stress situations, which may include emergency response
• Experience in the human services field would be an asset
• Experience with CCTV, access control systems and fire response systems is an asset
• Energetic and self-directed, with effective time management and organizational skills including the ability to deal with several priorities at the same time
• Resiliency and stress tolerance and the ability to maintain composure, remain calm and focused when dealing with a high volume of volatile and stressful situations
• The ability to make sound rational decisions based on information provided and employ critical thinking where information may not be clear
• Strong strategically-focused analytical skills, good common sense; and capacity to provide leadership
• Well-developed interpersonal, conflict resolution and negotiating skills
• Resourcefulness and knowledge of community resources and social support systems
• High morals, ethics and integrity
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to improve projects, programs and processes
• Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written
• Proficient in Office365 and Microsoft Office Suite 2016
• Eager to learn new systems and adopt improved best practices
• A genuine commitment to the mission, vision, values, and work of the agency.

Working Conditions

The individuals we serve are experiencing homelessness or precarious housing and may also be facing substance use disorders and/or mental or physical health challenges. Many have a history of significant trauma. These experiences can influence their interactions with both staff and one another. By recognizing these behaviors as responses to past experiences, we are able to engage with our guests in a manner that is empathetic and respectful. 

This role may involve high-stress situations that require resilience, compassion, and composure. At the DI we are deeply committed to the well-being of our staff, implementing policies and providing resources that support both physical and psychological safety, as well as mental health. We address the immediate challenges faced by our team to provide the highest level of support as well as the cumulative impacts of this vital work. By prioritizing staff well-being, we empower our team to provide the highest level of support to those in need, fostering a culture of care and understanding throughout our organization. 

While the work is demanding and requires a strong commitment, those who are drawn to this field often find it to be one of the most impactful and rewarding careers they can pursue. It’s about making a difference– one person at a time. 

Although the DI is a smoke-free work environment, there may be occasional exposure to secondhand smoke from designated smoking areas nearby.

Why the DI?

The DI aims to be an "Employer of Choice" and affords each employee an opportunity to help make a real difference in our community, and more importantly in the lives of those who rely on our services. We take great care in hiring the right people who fit, and who share our outlook on the value of people. We believe in living our values in every work we speak and in every action we take, and we want people who share this commitment.

Our Culture

Our values form the cornerstone of our culture:

RESPECT: Our actions honour the rights, differences, and dignity of others

COMMUNITY: Through collaborative partnerships, we work together as a team, building inclusive communities

KINDNESS: We accept each person’s uniqueness with compassion and empathy

WELLNESS: We promote, provide and support holistic wellbeing

ACCOUNTABILITY: We operate with transparency and integrity in both our relationships and our commitments.     

What we Offer
 
Staff at the DI enjoy competitive compensation packages, including employer-paid benefits depending on role and employment type.

Some of the employer-paid group benefits include:

• Vacation days
• Sick days
• Wellness days
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Employer Matching RRSP Program
• Homewood EFAP
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)