Extreme Weather Shelter Site Staff- South County (64303)

Volunteers Of America Western Washington•Everett, WA

5d•$24 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Seasonal Shelter Site Staff for the South Snohomish County Extreme Weather Shelter in Lynnwood. Under the oversight of the Shelter Services Program Manager, this role provides front-line services to guests during shelter activations, including guest check-in and orientation, volunteer coordination, de-escalation, and addressing health and safety needs. The shelter operates on a weather-dependent basis and is activated for extreme conditions such as severe cold, excessive heat, hazardous air quality, or significant storms, as determined by the County and local partners. When possible, activations include at least 24 hours’ notice. Typical cold-weather hours are approximately 6:30 pm to 8:30 am; summer or smoke events may require daytime hours as directed.

Requirements

Commitment to serving people experiencing homelessness, including individuals with mental health and substance use challenges.
Ability to remain awake and alert throughout overnight shifts.
Ability to travel to the shelter location during extreme weather when activated and to be available for on-call assignments.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Ability to write thorough, accurate incident reports and shift documentation.
Basic computer skills: MS Word and Excel, email, web portals, and internet navigation.
Ability to work independently, solve problems, and follow procedures.
Ability to work on site with many individuals and to use provided personal protective equipment.
Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, push, pull, reach, and lift up to 30 pounds; to monitor guest activity across indoor spaces and limited outdoor areas; and to work around cleaning products and occasional cold, noise, fumes, and airborne particles.
Winter months only: valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability to complete agency driver training to operate an agency passenger van for short local trips if assigned.
Respectful, professional communication with guests and volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
De-escalation, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills; ability to stay calm and neutral in high stress situations.
Strong customer service mindset with empathy and non-judgmental engagement.
Accurate documentation, attention to detail, and basic data entry.
Teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to coordinate and oversee volunteers.
Cultural humility and the ability to provide culturally appropriate services.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with homelessness services, Motivational Interviewing, and strength-based approaches.
Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
Bilingual applicants are highly encouraged to apply, especially Spanish, Romanian, Romani, Romansh, Ukrainian, Russian, Marshallese, and Arabic.

Responsibilities

Open and close the shelter according to procedures for the specific event type and hours.
Greet, check in, and orient guests on arrival; communicate shelter rules and policies.
Distribute blankets, cooling supplies, masks, and other materials as appropriate to the event; assist with food and beverage service during shift.
Monitor the space, maintain safety, and intervene in emergencies per protocol. promptly notify supervisors of incidents.
De-escalate hostile or potentially hostile situations to keep the shelter safe and orderly.
Maintain sanitation and cleanliness standards; complete routine cleaning tasks throughout the shift.
Follow space setup, check-in, monitoring, quiet hours or cool-space guidelines, morning wake-up or closing procedures, and departure protocols.
Winter months only, if assigned: operate a passenger van to pick up and drop off guests at designated pickup locations, following safety protocols, route plans, communication, and documentation procedures.
Maintain professional boundaries and a welcoming environment for all guests.
Perform other related duties as assigned.