Overnight Shelter Assistant

Job Title: Overnight Shelter Assistant

Supervised By: Residential Program Manager

Hours & Status: Full-time, non-exempt at 40 hours/week; Monday (Sunday night)- Friday 12:00am- 8:00am (Friday morning) 

Salary & Benefits: $18.00 per hour; 4 weeks of PTO, increasing to 6 weeks at 2 year anniversary; 11 paid holidays plus one floating holiday; health, dental and vision benefits and HSA or FSA with employer match; Simple IRA with employer contribution, EAP, Life and Long-Term disability Insurance          

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general supervision of the Residential Program Manager, the Overnight Shelter Assistant is responsible for overnight crisis intervention and ensuring safety and security of the domestic violence emergency and human trafficking shelter.

While the scope of work often will vary from shift-to-shift, general responsibilities include: providing crisis intervention to victims and survivors of abuse via the agency’s hotline phone and chat/text; providing trauma-informed, client-centered supportive services for residential clients and their children; and assisting with tasks related to the overall health and safety of clients, including flipping residential rooms, cleaning and donation sorting.


ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Safe Haven Ministries—a nonprofit organization located in Grand Rapids, Michigan—believes in a multi-faceted approach to serving victims/survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and exploitation, while also working to prevent these types of violence in our community. Safe Haven offers comprehensive intervention services, including: confidential emergency shelter; transitional and rapid re-housing; psycho-educational support groups; individual case management and advocacy; children and youth support services; crisis services; and mobile advocacy; and primary prevention training and outreach for the entire community.


SUMMARY OF DUTIES (Essential Functions)

  • Strive to create a caring and safe environment marked by empathy, understanding and acceptance

  • Provide training and onboarding information to incoming shelter assistants through shadow shifts and other learning opportunities requested by supervisor

  • Be available to clients to discuss problems and concerns by using active listening, problem solving skills, and empathy in a professional manner

  • Complete emergency intake and exit procedures, including intake coordination for referrals coming from the high risk team

  • Maintain appropriate and accurate data collection and documentation

  • Assist with monitoring and ensuring the safety and well-being of the residential facility, including, but not limited to, routine health and safety checks, fire and tornado drills, as well as, implementing preventative measures needed to ensure the safety of clients and their children

  • Ensure room flips are completed in a timely manner, which includes cleaning and staging residential rooms when a resident exits, preparing the room for the next resident

  • Assist with monitoring the status and condition of shelter safety products, such as smoke detectors, carbon dioxide, fire extinguishers, fire aid kit.

  • Assist with monitoring, completing and delegating general tasks related to the shelter facility, including cleanliness and organization, maintenance issues, supply inventory, and building and grounds upkeep

  • Communicate health and safety needs of shelter to the Residential Program Manager

  • Ensure shelter policies/procedures are followed by all residents and provide support to residents through an empathetic and trauma-informed approach

  • Employ de-escalation and conflict resolution strategies to help resolve difficulties among/between clients as they arise

  • Assist with tasks such as sorting donations, taking inventory, cleaning, and laundering in order to maintain an organized and safe shelter environment

  • Maintain and inventory current needs of current perishable foods, and regularly rotate and dispose of old perishable/frozen food

  • Assist with seasonal tasks such as shoveling snow and salting designated areas

  • Observe professional confidentiality; protect the rights of clients and their families, and observe the Safe Haven Ministries Code of Ethics at all times

  • Attend and participate in monthly professional development, individual supervision meetings, shelter assistant meetings, and other meetings as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED OR PREFERRED

  • A minimum of a high school diploma/or GED is required
  • Additional education in social work, psychology, behavior health or related field preferred
  • Knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence &/or human trafficking preferred
  • Active listening, crisis intervention, and problem resolutions skills required
  • Strong organizational and administrative skills required
  • Ability to work independently required
  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds
  • Bilingual in preferred but not required; $2/hour pay differential

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Employees are required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.

Safe Haven is an equal opportunity employer and dedicated to a policy and culture of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. Safe Haven does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, gender identification or expression, sexual orientation, partisan considerations, or genetic information.

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