What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shelter Specialist Overnight position at Mercy House?
Schedule: Tues - Sat: 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Job Summary: The Shelter Specialist, Overnight, is responsible for supporting the Emergency Shelter Program during overnight shifts, ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the facility. Key duties include performing nightly deep cleans, conducting wellness checks, providing emergency support, and assisting with program logistics such as food distribution and transportation. This position requires strong communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse, vulnerable population.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Logistics and Safety
Goal: Maintain the safety and serenity of residents, protecting against external and internal disruptions
- Provide an active staff presence during assigned overnight shifts
- Assist with general cleanliness and safety of the facility, including emptying trash cans, cleaning up spills, and general groundskeeping
- Perform nightly deep cleans across the site to ensure the overall health of the facility
- Resolve any conflicts and file incident reports when necessary
- Provide necessary emergency support and follow emergency procedures
- Conduct safety and wellness checks
- Communicate potential concerns with security staff to ensure staff and guest safety
- [If program utilizes fleet vehicles] Provide late-night transportation services
Program Support
Goal: Assist Program Manager with program functions and activities
- Encourage and discuss progress toward housing with shelter guests
- Provide general support for guests
- Observe and report concerns, violations, and general events in daily staff logs
- Provide late-night meals and organize early-morning food distribution
Mercy House is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States. Please click on the following links for more information.
E-Verify Participation Poster: English & Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf)
E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English & Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster Eng_Es.pdf)
Mercy House must reserve the right to modify, supplement, rescind, or revise all job descriptions to meet the overall needs of Mercy House except as to any language that establishes that the employment relationship is at the will of either the staff member or Mercy House.
Requirements:
Experience
- Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple case management and health needs
- Ensure a client-focused, trauma-informed, and housing-focused shelter approach
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse population; plan, organize, and prioritize duties; perform crisis intervention as needed; clearly communicate information and instructions verbally and in written form; maintain a positive, professional, and safe environment while on duty; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Dependability, responsibility, and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully
- Fluency in Spanish is of significant value
- A valid California drivers license and proof of auto insurance are required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Prolonged periods of standing and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment