Women's Support Worker - Tung Sam Lau

Requisition Number: WOMEN002450 (2X headcounts)
Type: Internal & External Candidates – Full-Time (Indeterminate )-Subject to recall as per article 13.5 of the Collective Agreement
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week; (Monday to Friday -11:30pm to 8am)
Compensation: $31.56/hr., (Wage Grid #11)
Program & Location: Tung Sam Lau – Downtown Eastside, Vancouver
Union: BC Government Employee’s Union (BCGEU) - This position requires union membership
Deadline: Open till filled

About Us:

Atira Women’s Resource Society (Atira) is a non-profit organization known for inclusionary hiring practices, values-driven work, and innovative approaches to supporting communities it serves. Rooted in feminist, anti-violence principles, Atira provides housing, programs, and supports for people of all genders, with a continued focus on addressing gendered violence, misogyny, and systemic oppression. Atira believes a job is more than a paycheque – it’s an opportunity to contribute to meaningful systemic and social change.

About the Program:

Tung Sam Lau is a new furnished, independent housing program which is designed for Chinese senior women aged 55+, and downtown Eastside community Indigenous elders who face barriers to securing safe and affordable housing. Our welcoming and inclusive community provides a secure, nurturing environment where you can thrive independently.

About the Job:

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Women’s Support Worker is responsible for the day-to-day work of supporting women with a wide array of emotional and practical work. Activities range from active listening/one-to-one support and group support, accompaniments and advocacy, assisting families moving in and moving out, supporting women to keep their rooms/units clean, facilitating community kitchen, communal meals and celebrations, preparing and delivering food, assisting with medication and health care, including administration of naloxone to responding to emergency situations and keeps accurate records, files, log notes & statistical information as per Atira’s practice & policies. We encourage creativity and leadership and make space for staff to develop and implement programming in collaboration with women and their co-workers.

Please note: This program serves individuals who identify and live full time as women, including those who have experienced gender based violence and misogyny.

To ensure a safe, accessible, trauma informed, and culturally responsive environment for residents, this position requires staff who identify and live full time as women. The presence of women staff is essential to meeting residents’ needs related to safety, dignity, privacy, and effective support.

Applicants must identify and live full time as women (including cisgender, transgender, Two Spirit, intersex women) or non-binary to be eligible for this position.

This requirement is consistent with established best practices under human rights laws for providing services to vulnerable groups and reflects our commitment to providing community based, gender responsive service delivery and supports the development of trust, safety, and meaningful engagement between (residents/tenants/ participants) and staff.

About You:

You are aligned with Atira’s mission, vision, values, and philosophy and bring a strong commitment to anti-oppression and intersectional practice. You understand the impacts of colonialism, especially in Canada, including the legacy of the residential school system, and you approach your work with cultural humility and respect.

You are comfortable working in a harm reduction environment and supporting people who may be experiencing substance use and/or mental wellness challenges. You support those who choose abstinence while recognizing abstinence is just one option among many. You are inclusive and affirming of people of all genders, including transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex, transfeminine and non-binary individuals, and understand the realities of gendered violence, misogyny, systemic barriers and how these harms disproportionately impact women. You are sex worker positive – you understand sex work, including survival sex work, as part of a broader social, economic, and gendered context and bring an approach grounded in respect, autonomy, and dignity.

You treat others with fairness and respect, challenge practices that conflict with shared values, and contribute to a supportive, accountable team environment. You inspire others through your commitment to anti-violence and promoting equity, prioritize the needs of the communities we serve, and challenge the status quo to improve quality and sustainability. You take smart risks and make thoughtful, timely decisions.

Lived experience and connection to the community served are assets. Atira encourages applications from individuals whose lived experience reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.

Programs specifically serving First Nations, Métis, and Inuk women and children, hiring preference will be given to First Nations, Métis, and Inuk women.

Additional Requisites/Assets:

• Diploma in a related human / social service field
• One (1) year recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Food Safe Certification is a required
• A valid First Aid certificate is required
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certificate is required (Atira to provide within 3 months of employment)
• All positions are subject to a Criminal Records Review (Paid by Atira)
• Covid-19 & Annual Flu vaccinations recommended annually.
• Candidates must be fluent in Mandarin and/or Cantonese or self‑identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

At Atira, we value diverse experiences and recognize that some applicants may face barriers to obtaining required certifications. If you are passionate about this role, meet the other qualifications, and believe you have the necessary skills and experience but do not currently hold a valid First Aid certificate, we encourage you to contact us you can contact us at People & Culture Recruitment. Atira is committed to being an inclusive employer and may be able to connect you with resources to support you in meeting this requirement.

Please note :

• The program provides services to Chinese senior women and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Elder women. To ensure participants receive culturally safe, linguistically accessible, and community‑informed support, this role requires staff who can meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the communities served.
• This position is therefore subject to a bona fide hiring requirement. Candidates must be fluent in Mandarin and/or Cantonese or self‑identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).
• This requirement reflects established best practices in community support work, where participants benefit from seeing their cultures, languages, and lived experiences represented in the staff who support them. Representation strengthens trust, enhances communication, and contributes to culturally grounded, effective service delivery.

Application Process:

Provide a cover letter with a current resume describing how you meet or exceed the above-noted qualifications. Resumes with a Cover Letter unique to Atira are guaranteed a review. Candidates who lack the experience and qualifications set out in the posting may not be considered, although an exceptional cover letter and transferable skills may overcome lack of experience for some positions. Please go to atira.bc.ca/careers for a current list of postings.