Shelter Care Specialist

Shelter Care Specialist – The Salvation Army Southern California

The position is responsible for ensuring the care, safety and wellbeing of shelter participants residing at the Depot Family Crisis Center.

• Oversee daily operations of shelter residence & kitchen
• Assist the Residential Programs Director in coordinating the shelter residence office and Shelter Support Staff
• Conduct onboarding and orientation of new shelter participants
• Coordinate and monitor daily/weekly chores for shelter participants
• Conduct and monitor routine participant substance testing
• Develop and coordinate a chore manual; and provide routine chore trainings
• Train Shelter Support on the use of substance testing equipment
• Coordinate room assignments and daily room inspections
• Train and supervise kitchen assistants
• Prepare, cook and serve meals
• Order, inventory and manage food products, equipment and supplies
• Monitor shelter for safety, security and cleanliness
• Conduct weekly house meetings and maintain meeting minutes
• Serve on the Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team
• Participate in weekly shelter care meetings
• Participate in program and agency trainings as assigned
• Maintain and monitor shelter logs
• Maintain accurate participant records in various information management systems; and generate reports as requested
• Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPPA standards
• Maintain a highly detailed and organized filing system
• Ensure shelter utilizes mental health first aid, harm reduction and housing first principles
• Check and respond to emails and voicemails on a regular basis
• Adhere to confidentiality standards
• Other duties as assigned

• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, homeless services and social services
• Ability to speak and write the English language at a high and professional level
• High degree of confidentiality
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel and Outlook preferred
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent and professional telephone etiquette and presence
• High degree of organizational skills
• Approach problem solving creatively
• Strong ability to utilize a high level of time management and handling multiple tasks

• High school diploma or equivalent
• A minimum of 2 year’s work experience in social services, food services, property management or human services
• Serv Safe Food Protection Manager Certification, accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver License, and ability to drive a Salvation Army vehicle
• Must be 21 years or older
• Complete The Salvation Army vehicle course training
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check to include a DOJ Livescan Fingerprint check

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis
• Ability to grasp, push, and/or pull objects
• Ability to reach overhead
• Ability to operate telephone
• Ability to lift up to 25-40 lbs.
• Ability to operate a computer
• Ability to process written, visual, and/or verbal information
• Ability to operate basic office equipment and tools PC, Fax Machine, Telephone, Calculator, Copier, Printer

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed would not result in undue hardship.