Waystation Adult Shelter Support, Overnight

If you’re looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work in your community, join the passionate, community-minded team at the Committee on Temporary Shelter! For 40 years, COTS has worked in Chittenden County to find solutions to end homelessness creatively; we aren’t afraid to try new things. We are looking for team members who are passionate about doing good and creative thinking. COTS offers a competitive benefits package, including access to healthcare, retirement savings, robust time off, and benefits focused on supporting human services professionals with mental and emotional wellbeing.

COTS strives to create a supportive, collaborative, and fun work environment…consider joining us on our mission to end homelessness!

The Waystation is our emergency overnight shelter for single adults and is open 365 days a year from evening to morning. Our emergency shelter programs provide opportunities for individuals without housing to have a safe, secure place to stay and have their basic needs met, such as dorm-style sleeping spaces, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and more. We make every effort to welcome and provide a safe space to provide an inclusive space. Guests in the Waystation are connected with case workers who help them achieve goals for housing, saving, and employment.

The primary role of Waystation Shelter Support is to ensure the safety and security of all guests. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Maintain the safety, security, and wellbeing of guests and property. Perform regular walkthroughs of the building and grounds for health and safety checks, maintaining a consistent presence on the floor.
• Perform preliminary/basic assessment of guest needs and priorities; make proper referrals to other staff members and agencies.
• Welcome and process Waystation guests staying in the shelter each night. This includes signing in, providing appropriate policy and expectation documentation, assigning beds, and other intake related tasks.
• Regularly monitor guest interactions with COTS team members and other guests to proactively mitigate potential escalation through conflict and crisis management techniques.
• Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with guests to facilitate an established level of trust in COTS as a supportive resource in our community. Regularly interact with guests through ongoing conversations and social engagement opportunities.
• Support guest autonomy by building on individual strengths and identifying and reducing barriers to accessing resources.
• Maintain knowledge of appropriate community outreach and public safety resources that can respond in crisis situations. Collaborate with community resources including BPD & Street Outreach (Howard Center) to address safety needs as they arise.

Position Qualifications:

• High school degree or equivalent required; undergraduate degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or other related field highly desired. A combination of coursework and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of two years of experience in a customer service or direct service role required; prior experience in human services preferred.
• Ability to work with individuals with mental health, medical, substance abuse, and employment issues.
• Demonstrated ability to handle conflict and crisis management.
• Prior experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage time/schedule without direct oversight.

All positions at COTS require a commitment to our mission: Advocating for long-term solutions to end homelessness and provide emergency shelter, services, and long-term housing for Vermonters who are experiencing homelessness or are marginally housed.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• midnight to 8:00am

We are a team of passionate individuals who believe in the value and dignity of every human life. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer; we do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We embrace diversity and encourage all to apply.

About COMMITTEE ON TEMPORARY SHELTER

For 40 years COTS has been working in Chittenden County to creatively find solutions to end homelessness; we aren’t afraid to try new things. We are looking for team members with a passion for doing good and creative thinking. COTS offers a competitive benefits package including access to healthcare, retirement savings, and robust time off, as well as benefits focused on supporting human services professionals with mental and emotional wellbeing. COTS strives to create a supportive, collaborative and fun work environment...consider joining us on our mission to end homelessness!