Shelter Program Aide

POSITION TITLE:     Shelter Program Aide

DEPARTMENT:         Social Services 

STATUS:                    Regular Part–Time; Hourly (Non-Exempt)  

SUPERVISOR:          Corps Officer

Join a team where you can offer compassion, dignity, and sustainable opportunities for people in need in your local community!

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it’s a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the US, we serve people with food to shelter opportunities and almost everything in between. We are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that make up a huge western region team. In other words, we’re committed to being big and small at the same time. That makes us a seriously great place to work. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward. We welcome you on finding your place to offer opportunities for people in need!

GENERAL STATEMENT:

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Staffing and scheduling requirements might require employees to work different shifts, as needed. Requirements for the safety, staff, and clients will be the same for each shift worked.

• The employee will need to follow basic rules of operation as posted by The Salvation Army for both clients and staff. This includes but is not limited to admittance of clients into the program for the night, enforcement of what personal items can and cannot be included in their personal space, the issuing of bedding to each client upon their arrival, general cleaning and maintaining of building property.
• Perform outlined tasks of the shelter operation for the night; this is tracked by the task sheet.
• Abide by The Salvation Army’s Social Services Code of Ethics. This would include any appearance of conflict of interest with program participants and/or volunteers.
• Provide a warm, caring, and courteous environment that encourages cooperation, respect, and a feeling of community.
• Enter pertinent information of all activities and events into the shelter daily log during your assigned shift. Communicate effectively between shifts changes.
• Provide all program participants, staff, and volunteers with a safe and secure environment. This includes but is not limited to maintaining a clean work environment, regular walk throughs of the shelter sleeping area, checking/cleaning the bathrooms, monitoring the shower/hygiene area, janitorial duties, keeping the outside areas clean and maintaining an alert presence in the client areas.
• Diffuse any conflicts as they arise and communication with other staff and the Corps Officer any findings or concerns.
• Distribute personal necessities to the clients as needed and as items are available.
• As time permits, launder excess blankets, towels and bedding as needed.
• Support volunteers who are assigned during your shifts by orienting them to the safety guidelines and responsibilities.
• Attend any and all meetings scheduled by the shelter leadership for training, planning, and operations.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality, keeping records secure and notifying the Shelter Supervisor of any issues/problems that they may need to be aware of during or after any given shift.
• Maintain a safe work environment per Salvation Army safety policies.
• Perform other job-related tasks as assigned or requested by a supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and maintain the shelter for clients including the following duties: log freezer temperatures, perform laundry, general cleaning, and disinfecting, set up and related duties.
• Check information logs and most recent trespass list related to clients’ use of the shelter.
• Client Intake: Complete intake Forms, complete HMIS forms and put client belongings away in an organized matter in accordance with our current procedures.
• Maintain and update client contact information.
• Prepare bed bags.
• Distribute bedding and pet items as needed.
• Janitorial Duties. Complete trash disposal and pick-up, room clean-up in the following areas (bathroom, break room, communal areas, family rooms, meeting room, floors, walls, outdoor areas, and other spots, as needed).
• Perform daily client count and safety checks.
• Regular walkthroughs and monitoring of the shelter.
• Prepare bed bags.
• Retrieve client belongings.
• Apply safety standards and utilize assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Complete all training in a timely manner.
• Attend all staff meetings and trainings.
• Follow all Salvation Army and site-specific policies and procedures and enforce policies with clients.
• Perform other job-related tasks and functions, as assigned.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Has one year of work experience; preferably six months of public contact / customer service.
• Experience with housekeeping or light custodian work, preferred.
• Experienced with people experiencing homelessness.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Detail oriented.
• Self starter
• Team player
• Able to work with a diverse population of people.
• Strong use of the English language in verbal and written communication
• Excellent telephone skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and maintain poise under pressure.
• Client service mindset
• General computer and phone skills
• Ability to follow established rules and policies.
• Comfortable enforcing rules
• Proficient typing skills
• Ability and willingness to keep information confidential.

SOFTWARE-RELATED SKILLS:

• Microsoft Office products suite - Word and Excel required.
• Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:   

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, Mops/Brooms, and reach overhead.
• Ability to clean bathrooms after clients use them.
• Ability to operate telephone.
• Ability to operate a phone.
• Ability to stay awake during shift.
• Ability to document who, what, where and when a situation arises.
• Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs. (Client Bags are to be under 35lbs)
• Ability to access and produce information from a computer.
• Ability to understand written information.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a low barrier overnight shelter. The Shelter is open every night including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

Work Schedule / Location: 

The Shelter is open every night of the week including weekends and Holidays. In-person at The Salvation Army’s overnight shelter in Chehalis WA. Exact shift times vary.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization’s need or when circumstances change.

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 meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Minorities/Women/Veterans/People with Disabilities.