Women's Support Worker - Tung Sam Lau

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Atira Women’s Resource Society is hiring a full‑time Women’s Support Worker for the Tung Sam Lau program in Vancouver, a housing program for Chinese senior women 55+ and Indigenous Elders. You’ll provide support, advocacy, meals, and crisis response while helping develop programming and maintain records. The role centers anti oppression, harm reduction, and culturally safe care; Mandarin or Cantonese is an asset, with preference for women from the served communities. Requirements include a related diploma, one year experience, Food Safe, First Aid, Non‑Violent Crisis Intervention, and a Criminal Records Review. Tips: tailor a cover letter to Atira showing alignment with our values; if First Aid is missing, contact People & Culture Recruitment. Apply at atira.bc.ca/careers.

About Us:

Atira Women's Resource Society, an award-winning nonprofit organization known for its inclusionary hiring practices and where a job is more than a pay cheque. We offer the opportunity to work alongside a remarkable group of women working to make the world a more just place, one woman, one child, one home, one job at a time.

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.

About You:

You are a feminist, passionate about the work of ending violence against women and children. You embrace Atira’s mission, vision, values and philosophy. You have a well-developed understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression work and intersectionality. You are familiar with colonialism especially as it applies in Canada and you understand the impact of the residential school system. You are committed to working with women who are struggling with substance use and or mental wellness and understand and are comfortable working within a harm reduction environment. You support women who choose abstinence, but understand abstinence is just one option for women struggling with substance use. Your definition of woman includes transgender, two spirit and intersex women, and transfeminine individuals. You are sex worker positive.

You question actions inconsistent with our values and you treat everyone with fairness and respect independent of their status or disagreement with you. You expect great things from yourself and your co-workers. You inspire others with your passion for women’s anti-violence work and your eagerness for excellence. You contribute to an environment where women can flourish and grow and you seek what is best for women, rather than what’s best for you or your team. You challenge the status quo to improve quality and sustainability and you take smart risks and make tough decisions without agonizing.

We are committed to hiring women who reflect the communities we serve. As this program is specifically designed for Chinese senior women and First Nations, Métis, and Inuk Elder women, hiring preference will be given to women from these communities. Fluency in Mandarin or Cantonese is considered an asset. 

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)
• Fluency in Mandarin or Cantonese is an asset.

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.