Part-Time Homeless Shelter Staff
Job Description
Job Title: Direct Care Shelter Staff
Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Status: Full-Time/ Part Time
Location: Adult Shelter – Somerville MA
Department: Shelter Services
Reports to: Shelter Program Coordinator
About Us
Somerville Homeless Coalition is a human services agency, helping families and individuals in all stages of homelessness, including shelter placement, case management, supportive housing, homeless prevention, and referrals to additional services. We also operate a food pantry and meals program, Project SOUP. The office environment is fast-paced with people calling looking for assistance and coming in for meetings with case managers. To learn more please visit our website at https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/.
Position Summary
The congregate Direct Care Shelter Staff member oversees the total operation of a work shift within the shelter environment and facility. This includes, but is not limited to, general shelter activities, enforcing rules and policies, conflict resolution, making appropriate referrals, ensuring health and safety standards, addressing medical issues, maintaining accurate records, answering phones and door, regularly checking-in with guests and seeing to it that guests’ needs are identified and attended to in an appropriate manner.
Essential Functions, Duties and Responsibilities
- Create and maintain a positive environment for guests, staff, service providers, volunteers and visitors
- Available to listen to guests and offer support, encouragement and empathy within context of healthy boundaries
- Conduct initial screenings and formal intakes of new guests
- Thoroughly orient new guests to the general shelter environment
- Coordinate and report on all types of activities within shelter environment
- Maintain clear, detailed and objective records during shift
- Replace supplies on a daily basis (e.g. maintaining organization and upkeep of food and supply areas)
- Check all guest chores, including overseeing and participating in trash removal system
- Responsible for the safe and secure storage of guests’ prescription medications
- Facilitate house meetings and other meeting venues (when applicable)
- Attend staff meetings, regular staff supervisions, in-service trainings and professional development
- Appropriately respond to, address and follow through with all situations and issues that arise during a shift
- Conduct regular safety and security checks
- Understand and enforce all the rules and policies of the shelter and agency
- Answer phones, take messages and answer door
- Perform necessary labor, maintenance and shopping tasks for shelter
- Identify, troubleshoot and follow through with resolutions of problems that arise within shelter
- Work as a team member by assisting in other areas necessary for maintaining quality care of guests/facility
- Demonstrate strong and clear communication both written and verbal.
- Abide by handbook rules, policies and code of conduct.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Education, Abilities, Competencies and Experience Required
- Knowledge and understanding of the complex issues affecting homeless individual and/or families
- Reliable, dependable and punctual
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Good observation, awareness, documentation and computer skills
- Knowledge of substance abuse issues, mental health and/or dual diagnosis disorders
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and crisis situations
- Ability to consistently set limits and maintain healthy professional boundaries
- Flexible and ability to work as a team member
- Ability to follow instructions carefully and pay attention to details
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment
This job operates in an shelter environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers. On occasion the job will require going out in events or organizations, based on the needs of the business.
Physical Demands
The employee must be able to adequately scale a steep set of stairs, sit, stand, squat, stoop, twist and ability to lift/carry 50 lbs.
Travel
Position requires minimal travel; based on the needs of the operations and business.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.