PRN Reservist - Cold Weather Shelter
About The Position
The PRN Reservist Cold Weather Shelter Staff provides direct operational support during City of Austin cold weather shelter activations, generally triggered when forecasted overnight temperatures are 35°F or below, as determined by the City. This frontline, participant-facing position supports overnight and 24-hour activations at City-designated locations. Staff help maintain a safe, clean, welcoming, and respectful environment for individuals during cold weather emergencies. The role requires flexibility to respond with limited advance notice and may include overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts. Duties include participant registration and shelter operations; helping provide basic needs; monitoring safety; cleaning and sanitation; completing documentation; and supporting shelter setup and demobilization. Staff follow City and Endeavors policies, emergency instructions, and supervisory direction.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED.
- Maintain reliable attendance for accepted assignments and comply with activation reporting and shift requirements.
- Be able to report to assigned City locations with limited notice and work overnight, weekend, holiday, or extended shifts when available and scheduled.
- A valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and access to transportation may be required for certain assignments; routine participant driving is not an essential function of the general staff role.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with disabilities, seniors, children, or individuals experiencing homelessness, in shelter operations, social services, community outreach, customer service, emergency response, or other public-facing work.
Responsibilities
- Assist with participant registration, check-in, information collection, shelter assignments, and accurate recordkeeping in accordance with program procedures.
- Welcome participants respectfully using trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, and explain shelter rules and available services.
- Support participant movement between embarkation points, transportation pickup areas, and shelter facilities, coordinating needs with supervisors and transportation personnel.
- Help set up sleeping areas and distribute mats, blankets, meals, snacks, hygiene supplies, clothing, and other essential items.
- Monitor assigned areas for safety, accessibility, cleanliness, and participant needs; promptly report hazards, concerns, and incidents to supervisors and security as appropriate.
- Use verbal de-escalation and established protocols to address conflicts; do not perform law-enforcement or security functions.
- Provide reasonable assistance to participants with disabilities and communicate accommodation needs to leadership.
- Help coordinate referrals for families with minor children, unaccompanied youth, and participants requesting specialized services, under supervisor direction.
- Coordinate with the assigned Community Resource Navigator to connect participants with available services.
- Complete shift logs, attendance counts, incident reports, and other required documentation accurately and on time, while protecting confidential participant information.
- Offer participants the required satisfaction survey at exit and explain how to provide feedback without influencing their responses.
- Perform routine cleaning and housekeeping at shelter and embarkation locations, including common areas, sleeping areas, tables, floors, and restrooms.
- Clean spills, remove trash, replenish restroom and hygiene supplies, and address sanitation needs; follow approved cleaning procedures, use required personal protective equipment, and report hazardous spills or conditions requiring specialized cleanup.
- Attend required orientation, safety briefings, and training, and follow City and Endeavors policies and emergency instructions.
- Perform other duties as directed and assigned.
- Provide exceptional customer service by placing the child, family, Veteran, or client first in support of the organization's mission.
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What This Job Offers
Education Level
High school or GED
