EWWS Support Specialist PT

Rod’s House will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to Rod’s House.

Position Information

Title: Extreme Winter Weather Shelter Support Specialist

FLSA Status:  Hourly, Part-Time Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Location:  Extreme Winter Weather Shelter

Reports to: YAS Lead Support Specialist

Job Description

      Support Specialists at Rod’s House focus on providing a safe and stable environment for young adults to learn new skills in order to thrive on their own in the community. Support Specialists help support a wide-spectrum of needs for young people (ages 18-24) experiencing homelessness throughout Yakima County. Support Specialists play a pivotal role as guides for young people so they may progress from temporary sheltering to permanent, safe, and stable housing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage with young adults (ages 18-24) to make them feel welcome, safe, and supported;

• Collaborate with Director of Shelters on how best to support young people;

• Connect young people to community and on-site resources to ensure basic needs are met;

• Appropriately respond to and coach residents through verbal, physical, and emotional altercation;

• Prevent and de-escalate situations as they arise;

• Maintain a positive, non-judgemental, trauma-informed approach;

• Actively seek opportunities to be inclusive and equitable.  

• Ensure cleanliness and tidiness at all times on shelter property;

• Ensure a safe environment for fellow employees, volunteers and young people;

• Conduct fire watch with proper documentation;

• Conduct random room checks throughout the night;

• Ensure completion of closing duties each morning;

• Communicate program needs the Director of Shelters, as needed.

• Participate in monthly program outcome reporting with all program staff;

• Complete data entry tasks, as assigned;

• Maintain proper record keeping.

• Ensure standard operating procedures are clearly defined, updated, and followed;

• Regularly assess policies, procedures and processes and recommend improvements;

• Provide general assistance and support as directed.

• Complete other duties as assigned or as required.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or GED Required

• Must be at least 21 years of age Required

• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance Required

• Bilingual (Spanish-English)  Preferred 

• At least 1 year experience working directly with youth (ages 13-17) and young adults (ages 18-24), particularly youth and young adults experiencing homelessness OR 2 years of social services education Required

Salary/Compensation and Benefits 

• Starting hourly wage of $17.30

• 24 hours per week

• Sick Time - 2 hours of sick pay accrued for every 40 hours worked

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Effective communication and problem solving skills

• Ability to work with young people in crisis; 

• Willingness to learn and teach new things;

• Ability to maintain confidentiality;

• Possess skills and ability to work successfully with the unique needs of children in care

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements 

Shifts could include evening, early mornings, or weekends, including holidays. This position requires daily interactions with youth experiencing homelessness and with community members, social service providers, and other organizations.. Physical requirements for the position include frequent walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, grasping, climbing, and repetitive motions. This position requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force to lift, carry, pull, or move objects. 

Rod’s House is all about building authentic connections. We are committed to equity and inclusion and

are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people with lived experience of homelessness and those who identify as LGBTQ and people of color to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.