Working at Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), we value every team member’s contribution and our collective impact on our clients and the community. NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.
Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire a Shelter Support Specialist to join the SERVE Shelter Team. The Shelter Support Specialist is responsible for providing essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter. Shelter Support Specialists are considered essential personnel and attendance and reliability is crucial. In this role, you will ensure the welfare, safety, and comfort of shelter guests, offering daily support using best practices. This includes:
- Motivational Interviewing: A person-centered approach that encourages shelter guests to identify their motivations for change and develop action plans using self-identified SMART goals.
- Trauma-Informed Care: An approach that acknowledges the impact of trauma on shelter guests.
- Harm Reduction Strategies: Techniques aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with substance use disorders.
Benefits and Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.
The pay for this role is $20.21/hour.
In this role, you will:
- Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors, and staff by communicating guest expectations and conducting internal and external perimeter checks during Understand and effectively respond to guest needs.
- Conduct shelter orientation to guests within 24 hours of guests’ entry into the shelter to ensure understanding of guest expectations, policies, and
- Work in partnership with Housing Counselors to:
- Ensure a comprehensive initial screening process to determine guest eligibility for program services, providing assessments, intakes, and enrollment where
- Assist guests with housing searches and meet their rapid rehousing
- Assist guests with their application(s) for assistance with essential services and/or ID card, Social Security card, and birth
- Conduct room and personal property inspections during
- Promptly and effectively respond to potential emergencies that may occur at the shelter by following agency and shelter protocols, including the immediate evacuation of the SERVE campus buildings as needed.
- Follow agency and shelter protocols for reporting
- Work collaboratively with volunteers, contractors, and
- Model and actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between guests in the
- Assist guests and cleaning staff in maintaining cleanliness and good upkeep of shelter and grounds; this includes sweeping, mopping, and cleaning the shelter and grounds in the absence of professional cleaning services as
- Participate in regular supervision with the Program Supervisor by providing regular
- Maintain guest files and manage data by program requirements and NVFS
- Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on shelter
Your Background: We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.
- Relevant experience or a degree in the human services field preferred, with some knowledge of working with and supporting individuals in crisis
- Prefer some work experience in any of the following areas:
- customer service
- Direct Support Professional (DSP) with the elderly or developmentally disabled
- hospitality services such as hotel/front desk duties
- residential services
- daycare, childcare, or teaching
- security or safety
- Attendance reliability
- Oral and written fluency in English; bilingual skills in client languages such as Spanish, Creole, and Farsi a plus
- CPR/1st Aide certification preferred; if not certified, must be willing and able to obtain certification through NVFS-provided training
- Ability to interact and communicate respectfully and effectively with shelter guests, visitors, and staff
- Demonstrated ability to stay calm in stressful situations and maintain professional boundaries while supporting shelter guests
- Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Must be able to demonstrate and live the organizational values of Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and
- Successful completion of background checks upon hire.
- Successful completion of Motor Vehicle Check upon hire.
- Successful completion of a TB Test upon hire.
- May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours.
