Lead Site Assistant - Day - ARCHES Navigation Center

Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency•Salem, OR

About The Position

The Lead Site Assistant provides direct support for shelter services for people experiencing homelessness at ARCHES shelters in Polk and Marion counties. The role supports daily operations, including cleaning, laundry, clerical work, data collection and entry, client engagement, and helping clients navigate community resources. The Lead Site Assistant is the primary point of contact for the assigned shift and trains and updates Site Assistants and volunteers on applicable duties, processes, policies, and procedures. The position also exercises sound judgment and provides leadership when urgent matters arise and management is unavailable or off site. The role helps maintain a calm, clean, safe, and healing environment for residents through trauma-informed engagement, clear boundaries, client support, and crisis de-escalation. The Lead Site Assistant works with clients, coworkers, volunteers, and community partners; monitors program expectations and facility safety; and completes shelter and kitchen tasks as needed. The schedule is a day shift, Friday through Tuesday, with flexibility to work or trade shifts on short notice and work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Two years of experience in customer service, social services, or other client-facing roles.
Valid driver license, an insured vehicle available for work use, and a satisfactory driving record for the previous three years.
Pass a comprehensive MWVCAA background screening before employment.
Obtain Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification within the first 30 days of hire.
Hold a Food Handler’s Card or be able to obtain one within 30 days.
Pass pre-employment and random drug screenings.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, videoconferencing platforms, and web tools.
Ability to communicate cooperatively and supportively, using tact, diplomacy, and empathy with clients, staff, and program partners.
Ability to lift and/or move 20 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Manual dexterity to handle personal items, food, clothing, sacks, carts, computers, and written intake processing.
Ability to frequently walk and stand in shelter settings and outdoor spaces and drive in all weather conditions to ARCHES sites in Polk and Marion counties.
Ability to remain calm and positive during escalated interactions, apply crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, and manage frequent demands on attention, time, and work tasks.
Ability to work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and accept or trade shifts on short notice.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Work experience with the public in a healthcare or community services setting.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for the assigned work shift.
Train incoming staff members and volunteers on applicable duties, processes, and policies.
Answer coworkers’ questions, provide assistance, and facilitate communication and collaboration between Site Assistants and volunteers.
Help focus the team on program goals and model a positive team culture.
Ensure data is collected accurately and enter service usage information into HMIS and Shelter point.
Respond to guest questions about clothing, snacks, blankets, restrooms, charging stations, and local resources.
Monitor residents’ adherence to program expectations.
Support daily shelter operations, including cleaning, site upkeep, laundry, supportive services, client engagement, answering the telephone, and monitoring client and facility safety.
Help staff and volunteers maintain a calm, clean, and safe environment for residents.
Share information about community partnerships and resources and provide referrals.
Use trauma-informed engagement, clear boundaries, and supportive case management to promote a safe and healing environment for people affected by trauma.
Attend required annual trainings and stay current on ARCHES program policies and procedures.
Support the program’s strategic goals and its approaches to Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, client-centered services, Coordinated Assessment, and Harm Reduction.
Perform cleaning, janitorial, and laundry tasks.
Support nutrition staff with kitchen tasks, including cooking meals.
Participate in community outreach to local organizations, camps, and groups as directed by a supervisor.
Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and coworkers.
Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.