On-Call Site Assistant - ARCHES

About the role

This on-call position provides direct support to sheltering services at the ARCHES Project sites in Polk and Marion counties. Responsibilities include supporting daily operations such as cleaning, laundry, clerical duties, data collection and entry, assisting clients with navigation to resources, and other special projects as needed. This role offers growth opportunities and professional development through hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides program support, including cleaning, site upkeep, laundry, and supportive services.
• Engages with clients and assists with answering telephones, monitoring client and facility safety.
• Works with support staff on follow-up services, meal preparation and distribution.
• Facilitates access to guest laundry and computers.
• Handles incoming and outgoing mail.
• Employs de-escalation techniques and makes quick decisions in response to guest or client incidents.
• Provides support services for programs offered through the ARCHES Project, including HMIS data entry, client follow-up, and resource navigation.
• Performs general data entry and assists with special projects as needed.
• Attends and engages in required annual trainings.
• Performs cleaning, janitorial, and laundry tasks in support of day-to-day sheltering operations.
• Supports nutrition staff with kitchen tasks, including cooking meals.
• Participates in Community Outreach to local organizations, camps, and groups as directed.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries with clients and coworkers.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED.
• Two years of work experience in a public or social services role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must pass a comprehensive MWVCAA background screening prior to employment.
• Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification required within the first 30 days of hire.
• Food Handler’s Card or ability to obtain within 30 days.
• Must pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.

Skills

• Knowledge of or experience working with homeless, vulnerable, or at-risk populations is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (including Outlook), videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.
• Effective interpersonal communication skills, both written and oral.
• Demonstrates tact, diplomacy, and empathy when communicating with clients, staff, and program partners.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.
• Requires specific vision abilities.
• Frequently required to hear and speak.
• Regularly lift and/or move 25 pounds; occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity for handling personal items, food, clothing, sacks, carts, and use of computers.
• Incidental driving tasks may be requested for employees with a personal vehicle and proof of current auto insurance.
• Maintains calm disposition when clients or others may become escalated, applying crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques.
• Regulates emotions during interactions with escalated clients and staff.
• Handles pressure from frequent demands for attention, time, and work tasks.
• Requires multi-tasking, including collaboration with staff, volunteers, and guests.

Work Environment

• Indoor and outdoor work environments with frequent interruptions, demands, and noise.
• Close quarters, often with a public client population experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, and/or severe and persistent mental illness, and/or unpredictable behavior.
• Exposure to trash and potential biohazards.
• On-site work only; not eligible for remote work.
• Shift options may vary between early morning, evening, nights, and overnights.
• Ability to accept on-call work, frequently with short notice (e.g., same day for a call-out).

Schedule

On-call, up to 19 hours per week.