Shelter Support Specialist

Overview

Join to apply for the Shelter Support Specialist role at Northern Virginia Family Services
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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.

NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.

Join the NVFS Family:
We are looking to hire a Shelter Support Specialist to join the SERVE Shelter Team. The Shelter Support Specialist is responsible for providing essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter. Shelter Support Specialists are considered essential personnel and attendance and reliability is crucial. In this role, you will ensure the welfare, safety, and comfort of shelter guests, offering daily support using best practices.

In this role, you will:

• Motivational Interviewing: A person-centered approach that encourages shelter guests to identify their motivations for change and develop action plans using self-identified SMART goals.
• Trauma-Informed Care:
  An approach that acknowledges the impact of trauma on shelter guests.
• Harm Reduction Strategies:
  Techniques aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with substance use disorders.

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 $20.21/hour.

• Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors, and staff by communicating guest expectations and conducting internal and external perimeter checks and understanding and effectively responding to guest needs.
• Conduct shelter orientation to guests within 24 hours of entry 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 support rapid rehousing efforts.
• Assist guests with their applications for essential services and/or , Social Security card, and birth documents.

• Conduct room and personal property inspections during the shelter stay.
• Promptly and effectively respond to potential emergencies by following agency and shelter protocols, including evacuation when needed.
• Follow agency and shelter protocols for reporting.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, contractors, and staff.
• Model and actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between guests in the shelter.
• Assist guests and cleaning staff in maintaining cleanliness and good upkeep of shelter and grounds; assist in cleaning as needed when services are unavailable.
• Participate in regular supervision with the Program Supervisor by providing regular updates and feedback.
• Maintain guest files and data per program requirements and NVFS policies.
• Maintain current knowledge of program software and other shelter information.

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
• Attendance reliability
• Oral and written fluency in English; bilingual skills in client languages such as Spanish, Creole, and Farsi a plus
• CPR/1st Aid certification preferred; if not certified, must be willing and able to obtain…