Shelter Support Specialist

Join the NVFS Family: We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialist to join the SERVE Homeless Shelter team. In this role, you will provide essential 24-hour awake coverage and supervision at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter, helping ensure a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for shelter guests.

As a Shelter Support Specialist, you are considered essential personnel and play a critical role in supporting the safety, well-being, and comfort of families staying at the shelter. Using best practices such as motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction, you will provide daily support and help guests navigate resources during their stay.

What Makes This Role Special: Our SERVE Shelter provides more than temporary housing, it offers stability, dignity, and support during difficult times. As a Shelter Support Specialist, you play a vital role in creating a safe and compassionate environment where families experiencing homelessness can begin to rebuild and move toward long-term stability.

We are looking to hire Shelter Support Specialists for the following shifts:

• Monday to Friday
• 2pm-10pm

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 and is an on-site role.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors, and staff by conducting regular internal and external perimeter checks and communicating shelter expectations
• Conduct shelter orientations for guests within 24 hours of entry to review policies, expectations, and available resources
• Work in partnership with Housing Counselors to support guest intake, eligibility screening, and program enrollment
• Assist guests with housing searches and support progress toward rapid rehousing goals
• Help guests apply for essential services and documentation such as ID cards, Social Security cards, and birth certificates
• Conduct room and personal property inspections during shifts
• Respond to emergencies by following agency and shelter protocols, including evacuations when necessary
• Document and report incidents according to agency guidelines
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, contractors, and donors
• Promote respectful and positive interactions among shelter guests
• Support cleanliness and upkeep of the shelter and grounds, including basic cleaning tasks when needed
• Participate in regular supervision with the Program Supervisor and provide updates on guest needs and shelter operations
• Maintain guest files and ensure accurate data entry according to program requirements and NVFS guidelines
• Maintain familiarity with shelter systems, procedures, and program software

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

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks upon hire
• TB test
• May be called upon to drive the agency van to transport guests to appointments and other services if clear Motor Vehicle Record and a valid U.S. driver's license

Working at Northern Virginia Family Services (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 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.