Shelter Support Specialist: part-time - Northern Virginia Family Service

MULTIPLE OPENINGS:

Working at Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value the diversity of backgrounds, experience, perspectives, and skillsets that we collectively provide to our community, clients and coworkers. We celebrate and thrive on our differences and welcome everyone’s unique contributions.

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a Shelter Support Specialists to join the SERVE Shelter Team. As the Shelter Support Specialist, you will provide essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision of the SERVE homeless shelter. As a part of this team, you will be responsible for the welfare, safety and comfort, as well as daily support to the shelter guests while using a trauma-informed approach. Furthermore, as the Specialist, you will provide crisis intervention to callers seeking shelter, advice or referrals. You will also be expected to stay awake at all times during shift.

We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialist's for the following shifts: 

• Saturdays and Sundays, 8pm- 8am
• Saturdays and Sundays, 2pm- 10pm

Your Future Team: Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) provides a comprehensive set of services designed to address the root cause of poverty and homelessness within the Northern Virginia area. This includes the SERVE homeless shelter, which is a 92 bed, 24-hour emergency response program for households experiencing a housing crisis, and the Prince William County Community. The Shelter Assistant (SA) Team provides essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision of the shelter. 

Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

The pay for this role is $19.62/hour.

In this role, you will:  

• Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors and staff by communicating guest expectations and conducting internal and external perimeter checks during shift. Understand and effectively respond to guest needs.
• Conduct shelter orientation to guests within 24 hours of guest’s entry into the shelter to ensure understanding of guest expectations, policies and procedures.
• Work in partnership with Housing Counselors to:
  • Ensure a comprehensive initial screening process to determine guest eligibility for program services, providing assessments, intakes, and enrollment where appropriate.
  • Assist guests with housing searches and meeting their rapid rehousing goals.
  • Assist guests with their application(s) for assistance with essential services and/or I.D. card, Social Security card, and birth certificate.
• Conduct room and personal property inspections during shift.
• Promptly and effectively respond to potential emergencies which may occur at the shelter by following agency and shelter protocols, including the immediate evacuation of the SERVE campus buildings as needed.
• Follow agency and shelter protocols for reporting incidents.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, contractors, and donors.
• Model and actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between guests in the shelter.
• Assist guests and cleaning staff maintain cleanliness and good upkeep of shelter and grounds; this includes sweeping, mopping and cleaning the shelter and grounds in the absence of professional cleaning services as needed.
• Participate in regular supervision with Shelter Coordinator by providing regular updates.
• Maintain guest files and manage data in accordance with program requirements and NVFS guidelines.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on shelter programs.

Your Background:  We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• Relevant experience or a degree in the human services field preferred with some knowledge of working with and supporting individuals in crisis
• Prefer some work experience in any of the following areas:
  • customer service
  • Direct Support Professional (DSP) with the elderly or developmentally disabled
  • hospitality services such as hotel/front desk duties
  • residential services
  • daycare, childcare or teaching
  • security or safety
• Oral and written fluency in English required; bilingual skills in client languages such as Spanish, Creole, and Farsi a plus
• CPR/1^st Aide certification preferred; if not certified, must be willing and able to obtain certification through NVFS-provided training
• Ability to interact and communicate respectfully and effectively with shelter guests, visitors and staff
• Demonstrated ability to stay calm in stressful situations and maintain professional boundaries while supporting shelter guests
• Proficiency in usage of basic technological tools including laptops/computers, email, phones, and internet required. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Must be able to demonstrate and live the organizational values of Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Accountability.
• Successful completion of background checks upon hire.
• Successful completion of Motor Vehicle Check upon hire.
• May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours.

NVFS is committed to advancing equity, embracing diversity, and promoting inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. NVFS is an E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.

NVFS values diversity in our workforce. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of color, all genders and gender identities, people of all abilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, other members of marginalized communities, veterans and national service alumni.

Education

• Associates or better in Human Services or related field

Licenses & Certifications

• CPR and First Aid

Skills

• Computer-Microsoft Office Suite