Shelter Support Specialist: full-time

About the role

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialists to join the SERVE Homeless Shelter team. In this role, you will provide essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter, helping create a safe, welcoming, and trauma-informed environment where individuals and families experiencing homelessness can begin working toward housing stability. As a Shelter Support Specialist, you are considered essential personnel and play a critical role in the safety, security, and smooth daily operations of the shelter. You will build positive relationships with shelter guests, respond to their needs with empathy and professionalism, and work collaboratively with Housing Counselors and other team members to support guests in achieving their housing goals. This role utilizes evidence-based, person-centered approaches, including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and Harm Reduction Strategies. Consistent attendance, punctuality, and reliability are essential to ensuring uninterrupted shelter operations and the safety and well-being of our guests. Why This Role Matters: Our SERVE Shelter provides more than temporary housing. It offers stability, dignity, and support during difficult times. As a Shelter Support Specialist, you play a vital role in creating a safe and compassionate environment while helping individuals and families build skills, access resources, and work toward long-term housing stability and independence.

Responsibilities

• Foster a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment by building trusting relationships with shelter guests and responding to their needs with empathy, professionalism, and cultural humility
• Conduct shelter orientations for guests within 24 hours of arrival to ensure understanding of shelter expectations, policies, procedures, and available resources
• Encourage guest participation in shelter programming and support guests in developing skills that promote long-term housing stability and independence
• Model and reinforce positive interactions among shelter guests and help resolve conflicts using de-escalation and trauma-informed practices
• Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors, and staff by monitoring the shelter environment and conducting regular interior and exterior perimeter checks
• Conduct routine room and personal property inspections in accordance with shelter policies
• Respond promptly and effectively to emergencies, behavioral concerns, medical incidents, and crisis situations by following agency and shelter protocols, including evacuations when necessary
• Accurately document and report incidents in accordance with agency and program guidelines