What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shelter Support Specialist position at Northern Virginia Family Services?
Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialist to join the SERVE Homeless Shelter team. In this role, you will provide essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter, helping ensure a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for shelter guests.
As a Shelter Support Specialist, you are considered essential personnel and play a critical role in supporting the safety, well-being, and comfort of families staying at the shelter. Using best practices such as motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction, you will provide daily support and help guests navigate resources during their stay.
What Makes This Role Special: Our SERVE Shelter provides more than temporary housing, it offers stability, dignity, and support during difficult times. As a Shelter Support Specialist, you play a vital role in creating a safe and compassionate environment where families experiencing homelessness can begin to rebuild and move toward long-term stability.
We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialists for the following shifts:
The pay for this role is $20.21/hour and is an on-site role.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
As a Shelter Support Specialist, you are considered essential personnel and play a critical role in supporting the safety, well-being, and comfort of families staying at the shelter. Using best practices such as motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction, you will provide daily support and help guests navigate resources during their stay.
What Makes This Role Special: Our SERVE Shelter provides more than temporary housing, it offers stability, dignity, and support during difficult times. As a Shelter Support Specialist, you play a vital role in creating a safe and compassionate environment where families experiencing homelessness can begin to rebuild and move toward long-term stability.
We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialists for the following shifts:
- Monday to Friday
- 2pm-10pm
The pay for this role is $20.21/hour and is an on-site role.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors, and staff by conducting regular internal and external perimeter checks and communicating shelter expectations
- Conduct shelter orientations for guests within 24 hours of entry to review policies, expectations, and available resources
- Work in partnership with Housing Counselors to support guest intake, eligibility screening, and program enrollment
- Assist guests with housing searches and support progress toward rapid rehousing goals
- Help guests apply for essential services and documentation such as ID cards, Social Security cards, and birth certificates
- Conduct room and personal property inspections during shifts
- Respond to emergencies by following agency and shelter protocols, including evacuations when necessary
- Document and report incidents according to agency guidelines
- Work collaboratively with volunteers, contractors, and donors
- Promote respectful and positive interactions among shelter guests
- Support cleanliness and upkeep of the shelter and grounds, including basic cleaning tasks when needed
- Participate in regular supervision with the Program Supervisor and provide updates on guest needs and shelter operations
- Maintain guest files and ensure accurate data entry according to program requirements and NVFS guidelines
- Maintain familiarity with shelter systems, procedures, and program software
- Relevant experience or a degree in the human services field preferred, with some knowledge of working with and supporting individuals in crisis
- Prefer some work experience in any of the following areas:
- customer service
- Direct Support Professional (DSP) with the elderly or developmentally disabled
- hospitality services such as hotel/front desk duties
- residential services
- daycare, childcare, or teaching
- security or safety
- Attendance reliability
- Oral and written fluency in English; bilingual skills in client languages such as Spanish, Creole, and Farsi a plus
- CPR/1st Aide certification preferred; if not certified, must be willing and able to obtain certification through NVFS-provided training
- Ability to interact and communicate respectfully and effectively with shelter guests, visitors, and staff
- Demonstrated ability to stay calm in stressful situations and maintain professional boundaries while supporting shelter guests
- Successful completion of background checks upon hire
- TB test
- May be called upon to drive the agency van to transport guests to appointments and other services if clear Motor Vehicle Record and a valid U.S. driver’s license
Salary : $20