Direct Care

HOUSING FAMILIES INC•Chelsea, MA

10d•$22 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Direct Care staff provide direct oversight of Housing Families’ Winter Warming Centers in Somerville and Chelsea, Massachusetts. The centers operate from December through April and provide temporary overnight shelter for homeless individuals during the coldest months of the year. Staff help ensure the centers operate safely and in a manner consistent with Housing Families’ values. The role includes setting up and maintaining the center, welcoming and assisting guests, communicating and enforcing center rules, responding to guest concerns, maintaining a clean and orderly environment, documenting relevant information, and responding to emergencies. Staff also work with volunteers, attend meetings, follow established procedures, and meet regularly with a supervisor. The centers operate approximately 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days per week, during the season; staff must be available to work shifts as needed.

Requirements

Demonstrated timely and consistent work history.
Ability to walk up and down stairs quickly in an emergency.
Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to follow shelter guidelines for safety and handling emergencies.
Well-developed assessment skills and crisis-management responses.
Willingness to work in the Somerville area and surrounding cities.
Availability to work shifts as needed; the center operates approximately 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days per week, from December through April.
Unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.
Must be at least 18 years old.

Responsibilities

Set up the space daily and ensure materials are safe and operational.
Greet guests in a friendly, professional, and respectful manner.
Communicate warming center rules to guests and enforce them as necessary.
Respond respectfully and professionally to guest questions and concerns, referring complaints to appropriate staff.
Attend and participate in staff meetings.
Follow established procedures for scheduling and staffing issues.
Meet weekly with the supervisor to discuss job-related issues and receive feedback and support.
Follow policies and procedures for guests and warming center operations, maintaining a respectful and inclusive atmosphere.
Keep public areas, including offices, stairs, hallways, and outside areas, clean and orderly, and participate in daily sanitizing.
Address emergency situations as necessary and use skillful de-escalation.
Follow agency and mandated guidelines for security, safety, and confidentiality.
Review daily log entries and new memos.
Record relevant information in the appropriate format in the daily log.
Submit accurate timesheets on time.
Greet, assist, and orient volunteers.
Perform other related duties as needed or directed.