Heat Relief Worker

The Heat Relief Worker provides essential support to individuals experiencing homelessness during periods of extreme heat by staffing a community cooling center at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Phoenix. This temporary, hands-on role involves monitoring guests, distributing water and supplies, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment, and responding to crisis situations as needed. Candidates must be compassionate, dependable, and comfortable working in challenging conditions. This is a critical opportunity to serve vulnerable populations and make a direct impact during Arizona’s hottest months.

Mission Statement:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church.  Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Inside in extreme weather to assist homeless and clients in dire conditions. Hours, assignments & location will fluctuate in response to hear emergency conditions, employee performance, and funding for the program.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Must be 18 years or older.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, with ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Able to maintain a non-judgement attitude and boundaries with clients.
• Able to handle crisis/emergency services for the homeless and to utilize crisis intervention, crowd management and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to assess at risk participants and situations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Successful background clearance.
• Demonstrate ability to work with the homeless population for positive outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor activities of the cooling center participants, keeping visual and continuous interaction with clients.
• Handle check-in of cooling center clients and upon arrival using proper record keeping, screening procedures, provide program.
• Set up/Tear down equipment and stock/restock supplies used, water, chairs, snacks, games, movie, etc.
• Ensure compliance with program rules and expectations, maintaining a safe and manageable environment.
• Assist participants within the limits in processing issues and problem solving.
• Monitor the smoking patio for appropriate usage and cleanliness.
• Clean area during usage, moping spills, sanitizing cots, wiping tables and chairs .
• Investigate and report activity and incidents appropriately, or as needed to emergency responders, such as police, fire and/or ambulance personnel, according to established guidelines.
• Always supervise the cooling station area.
• Ensure service animals brought in with attendees are kept under control and on a leash.
• Complete required paperwork.
• Keep an inventory of water, hygiene products, and snacks; alert Officer or Supervisor when supplies run low.
• Provide accurate and through written communication in the (IR) Incident Report Logbook for management and Support Workers review.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor as it relates to the position of Heat Relief Worker 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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 is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and reach with hands and arms on a continuous basis. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must have the ability to operate a telephone, a desktop or laptop computer, as well as the ability to access and produce information from a computer, and to understand written information.