Shelter Assistant

Homeless Shelter Assistant

At Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa), we have a culture deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching and respect all Catholic beliefs and practices.

The Homeless Shelter Assistant (HSA) will provide essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision of the assigned shelter. This position is responsible for welfare, safety and comfort, as well as daily support to the shelter residents. The HSA will provide crisis intervention to callers seeking shelter, advice or referrals. The incumbent is expected to always stay awake during shift.

Job responsibilities include:

• Create a welcoming environment for shelter clients, including greeting clients, orienting new clients to the shelter, and answering questions.
• Empower shelter clients and provide support and crisis intervention through a trauma-informed care lens. Provide resource information or triage questions for families residing in the shelter.
• Ensure the safety and security of the shelter and the residents by enforcing house rules and conducting inspections during shift and reporting incidents by following protocols.
• Support and assist guests with their shelter needs as they arise (ex. questions, concerns, hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, bedding, food and more).
• Maintain the safety and security of shelter property, and report concerns to Shelter Director.
• Assist in conducting comprehensive initial screening process to determine eligibility for program services, providing assessment, intake and enrollment where appropriate.
• Conduct new resident orientation to ensure understanding of shelter rules, policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers assigned to work in the residential area. Maintain client files and date.

Answers phone calls and relays important telephone calls to the Service Specialist and Shelter Director. Document shift notes at least once per shift and completes proper documentation, including but not limited to task list, checks off lists, incident reports, reasonable suspicion forms, and mandated reporter documentation/reporting duties.

There are no supervisory responsibilities for the Homeless Shelter Assistant.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

High school diploma At least one (1) year related work experience in direct service, preferably working in residential shelter services environment Ability to work a flexible schedule, working as a part of a 24 hour on-call system, and always staying awake during work hours Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds Ability to respond to physical emergencies, including immediate evacuation of campus buildings and potential client medical and behavior situations