Holiday- M

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Baltimore, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is hiring a Program Assistant at the Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC), a low-barrier emergency shelter in Baltimore City serving more than 275 adult men and women each night. WHRC provides shelter, meals, showers, laundry, case management, convalescent care, and other supportive services intended to help people move toward stability, self-sufficiency, and permanent housing. This is a direct-service role in a busy, fast-paced, and sometimes unpredictable shelter environment, not an administrative or desk-based position. The Program Assistant supports adults experiencing homelessness by helping maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment; monitoring activity throughout the facility; responding to resident needs and crises; documenting incidents and services; de-escalating challenging situations; and assisting with practical day-to-day needs. The position is on-site at WHRC and is regularly scheduled from 11 AM to 11 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The role requires patience, dependability, compassion, sound judgment, and the ability to remain calm and maintain professional boundaries when residents are stressed, frustrated, in conflict, or experiencing behavioral health challenges, trauma, or crisis. Program Assistants work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners. CPR and/or First Aid and ServSafe certifications must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained thereafter.

Requirements

One year of related experience is preferred, particularly experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or other at-risk populations.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to remain courteous, patient, calm, and professional in challenging situations.
Ability to intervene in and de-escalate conflict respectfully and effectively.
Dependable attendance and punctuality.
Ability to use, or willingness to learn, basic computer systems, email, online training platforms, and required software.
CPR and/or First Aid certification must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained thereafter.
ServSafe certification must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained thereafter.
Ability to work directly with adults experiencing homelessness in a low-barrier shelter environment, manage multiple priorities and changing needs, and assist with hands-on resident needs.
Ability to walk and stand for much of the shift and move frequently throughout the facility.
Ability to work weekends and holidays as part of the regular schedule.
Ability to adjust or move objects up to 50 pounds in all directions, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or repositioning items as necessary.
Ability to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, ramps, poles, or similar structures as required.
Ability to communicate with others by speaking, listening, writing, or electronic communication, including verbal and non-verbal interactions.
Ability to remain stationary, standing or sitting, for extended periods as required.
Ability to move into different positions and work in tight or confined spaces.
Hearing and vision abilities, with or without correction, sufficient to observe and communicate with others.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of basic personal care, housekeeping, and related support practices.
Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or other at-risk populations.

Responsibilities

Provide respectful, client-centered support that helps residents feel valued, informed, and treated with dignity.
Monitor activity throughout the building and grounds to help maintain a safe and secure environment for residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Respond calmly and professionally to resident concerns, incidents, emergencies, and crisis situations.
De-escalate conflicts and challenging interactions using respectful communication, sound judgment, and established safety procedures.
Assist residents with meals, clothing, laundry, hygiene needs, and maintaining safe and clean living spaces.
Orient residents and volunteers to services, expectations, available resources, policies, and program procedures.
Inform residents about available services, their rights, and processes for addressing concerns or grievances.
Maintain accurate logs, records, incident reports, and other required documentation.
Communicate concerns, observations, and important information promptly to supervisors and team members.
Collaborate with staff, volunteers, and community partners to support coordinated services and continuity of care.
Follow program policies, procedures, safety expectations, and established guidelines.
Perform other duties as assigned to support safe and effective shelter operations.