Family Shelter Assistant

Homeless No More works with families that are at‑risk or experiencing homelessness through emergency shelter (Family Shelter), transitional shelter (St. Lawrence Place), affordable housing (Live Oak), and advocacy. We support families through services and environments that help them move toward independent living.

The Family Shelter Assistant is a part‑time position responsible for maintaining order, safety, and consistency at the Family Shelter campus during the hours when families are most likely to test boundaries and staffing is lightest. This is not a counseling or case management role. It is an operational role for someone who can hold a line, think clearly under pressure, and communicate effectively with both families and staff.

The Family Shelter Assistant reports to the Program Operations Manager and the Director of Programs and serves as the primary point of contact on campus during night shifts, including volunteer groups and community partners.

• Provide direct supervision and redirection for families at the Family Shelter, enforcing program guidelines, policies, and procedures consistently and without exception.
• Conduct and document hourly dorm, property, and facility inspections.
• Prepare and serve meals according to established schedules and procedures.
• Support life skills and enrichment activities for families as scheduled.
• Provide general oversight and direction to volunteer groups on campus.
• Communicate immediately with on‑call staff and, when necessary, law enforcement in the event of an operational or program emergency.
• Complete an accurate and timely nightly shift report documenting all client interactions, incidents, and relevant updates.
• Support family‑related events, community events, and special fundraising events as assigned.
• Maintain the dorm reception area in an organized and clean condition.
• Attend required training and workshops.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This role is often filled by someone early in their career or looking for reliable part‑time hours. What matters more than experience is judgment. The right person can read a situation quickly, enforce a rule calmly and consistently even when it is unpopular, and communicate clearly with both families and staff without losing composure.

• Ability to manage and de‑escalate crisis situations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to lift to 20 pounds.
• Ability to work independently during night shifts with limited direct supervision.

• Working knowledge of homelessness, poverty, or community resources.
• Experience working with children.
• Experience in the social service sector.

This is a part‑time position based at HNM's Family Shelter campus in Columbia, South Carolina. Shifts are nights only, both weekdays and weekends.

$12–14 per hour

Part‑time, hourly

• Shift One: 5 pm‑midnight, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (28 hrs/week)
• Shift Two: 5 pm ‑ midnight, Saturday, Sunday (every other weekend) (14 hrs/week; 28 monthly)
• Shift Three: 5 pm ‑ midnight, Saturday, Sunday (every other weekend) (14 hrs/week; 28 monthly)

Please specify which shift(s) you are interested in when applying: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).