Job Summary: The Shelter Support Staff role is a critical role at our Downtown, Single Adult Shelter. This individual helps to maintain a safe, orderly, and caring environment while assisting clients with their daily needs; provide community resources and referrals to assist and empower single adults experiencing homelessness to establish and maintain permanent housing. This is an active and fast-paced role. Our Shelter Support Staff interact with about 600 clients a day who are experiencing homelessness and have a wide variety of needs. A variety of tasks will be completed each day and while simple tasks like refilling supplies and checking clients in are frequent, there are often several tasks that arise at the same time and require a highly client service-oriented approach, while maintaining a calm and positive demeanor to deescalate situations and assist with problem solving. This role is both rewarding and challenging. Candidates that are organized and have high attention to detail with excellent verbal and written communications will be most successful. Candidates should also be able to maintain flexibility and be able to manage multiple priorities at a time.

Work Environment: This job primarily operates in a homeless shelter environment however, occasional outreach work and outside event areas in various weather conditions are expected. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. 

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. The shift we are currently filling is Graveyard Shift: Shelter Support Staff - Wednesday - Saturday 9PM - 8AM. There is 30min/1hour unpaid lunch break.

Some Essential Functions:

Provide direct client support:

• Register new clients, issue photo ID; explain agency rules and policies;

• Perform daily check-in of clients in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS); provide linens and assist with bag and tag process;

• Escort clients to Case Management and other campus partner agencies;

• Attend to client needs, answer questions, resolve problems and escalate to Lead when necessary;

• Monitor bed occupancy to ensure maximum usage;

• Conduct daily/random walk-throughs of facility ensuring conditions are safe and clients are adhering to shelter policies and procedures;

• Provide clients with information and referrals; document the interaction(s) in HMIS. Work with the Shelter team to provide an efficient Shelter operation:

• Answer and direct incoming calls, provide information; monitor security gate access;

• Communicate and collaborate with other CASS departments and employees and outside agencies;

• Maintain complete and organized client files;

• Enter relevant data in HMIS accurately and according to Shelter policies and procedures;

• Assist in the receipt and distribution of donations;

• Maintain adequate and organized stock of office and cleaning supplies and hygiene items; distribute hygiene items to clients as needed;

• Prepare Incident Reports (IR)and other reports;

• Maintain a clean, organized work area; wipe down counters and chairs on every shift;

• Will assist the Facilities staff in maintaining a clean, safe working and living environment for the staff and visitors;

• Perform other duties as required. 

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age and a High School Graduate

• Have a Level 1 Fingerprint Clearance Card

• Must pass drug screen with a negative result (Must have a medical card for positive results)

• Have a positive attitude

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience working in a homeless shelter or with individuals experiencing homelessness

• Bilingual language skill