SHELTER ATTENDANTS - WARMING CENTER

SHELTER ATTENDANTS - Warming Shelter

Health and Human Services Department - Social Services Division

Come do good work with us! City of Portland Shelter Attendants are involved in the oversight and coordination of activities associated with the City’s homeless shelters, including serving some of our city’s most vulnerable residents. Shelter Attendants working at the temporary Winter Warming Shelter at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway are essential for welcoming and registering homeless individuals in need of shelter. Additional duties include inputting required data into an online system, monitoring dorms, common areas and shelter grounds.

Why Join Us:

Gain Valuable Experience for Your Future Career
If social services is your chosen path, gaining experience as a Shelter Attendant is a great start to building a strong foundation for your professional journey. You’ll be able to compile transferable skills and valuable knowledge through direct and hands-on experience.

Learn About Health & Human Services:
Start your career journey in HHS with an entry-level role that offers a comprehensive understanding of the field. You'll gain insights into resident needs, the referral process, and community programs, which all set the stage for future growth.

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community:
Be part of the solution by joining a program that makes our community a better place to live, work, and play for every Portland resident. Your efforts will directly impact the lives of the unhoused community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Investigates clients to determine shelter eligibility, social history, residency status, and employment/disability status.
• Makes referrals for finance, health, and other needs requiring assistance.
• Works closely with shelter support staff ensuring residents with special needs receive individualized attention.
• Assists with appointment scheduling for support services staff.
• Confers with staff from other social service agencies and shelters.
• Documents client activity for permanent record reports and enters all necessary client information into shelter database.
• Completes regular shelter checks and monitors shelter residents.
• Performs cleaning duties including bathrooms, vacuuming and sweeping, emptying trash, and organizing common areas.
• Assists in crisis situations at the shelter.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Skills & Experience: High School completion required with any equivalent combination of education, experience, and relevant training.

• Working knowledge of shelter methods/techniques.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to aid people in solving problems.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, case managers, residents, social workers, institutional and public officials, and other community contacts.
• Ability to work as a member of a three-person team without on-site supervision.
• Ability to work awake overnight shifts if schedule requires.
• Evidence of a positive attitude that supports the goals of the City.
• Experience working with low-income and homeless individuals.
• Ability and willingness to utilize available translation services to serve clients with limited or no English proficiency.
• Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse clientele.
• Must submit to annual TB screening.

Preferred Skills & Experience: Bachelor’s Degree encouraged.

• Previous experience working in a homeless shelter.
• Proficiency with data entry and word processing.
• Experience with crisis intervention, mental illness, and substance use.

Hours/Available Schedules:

Schedules vary based on shelter needs and location. Full time positions operate on a 37.5 hour work-week, and Shelter Attendants typically work three days a week. Overnight schedules are available! In addition, a monthly two - hour staff meeting is required.

The following schedules are available at the Winter Warming Shelter:

• Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
• Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
• Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
• Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 6:30PM-7:30AM
  
Sundays, Mondays, and Saturdays 6:30PM-7:30AM

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Applications accepted until filled

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

These are union positions, CEBA Grade 9, with a pay rate of $22.44 per hour. An additional $2.00 per hour shift differential is in effect for nights after 7pm and all weekend hours. A retention bonus is available to qualified new hires who commit to the project timeline and remain employed through April 30, 2027. Bonuses will be prorated for anyone hired on or after December 1, 2026.

For more information about compensation with the City of Portland, please refer to the union specific pay plans and agreements.

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment. City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
• Life, dental, vision, and income protection insurances
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Use of City recreation facilities
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College

If you have questions or need assistance with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or 207-874-8624.

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Group : CEBA

Job Family : SOCIAL SERVICES

Posting Start : 11/04/2026

Posting End : 12/31/9999

Details : Job Description