Holiday- M

Catholic Charities of Baltimore•Baltimore, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Catholic Charities of Baltimore is seeking a Program Assistant for the Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC), a low-barrier emergency shelter serving more than 275 adult men and women each night in Baltimore City. WHRC provides shelter, meals, showers, laundry, case management, convalescent care, and other supportive services to help individuals move toward stability, self-sufficiency, and permanent housing. This is a direct-service role in a busy emergency shelter, not an administrative or desk-based position. The Program Assistant supports adults experiencing homelessness, helps maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive environment, responds to resident needs, monitors activity throughout the facility, documents incidents and services, de-escalates difficult situations, and assists with day-to-day needs. The work can be fast-paced and unpredictable, and residents may be experiencing stress, conflict, behavioral health challenges, trauma, or crisis. The role requires patience, dependability, compassion, sound judgment, calmness, and professional boundaries. The position is on-site at WHRC in Baltimore, Maryland, and is scheduled from 11 PM to 7 AM on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. It involves walking and standing for much of the shift, moving throughout the facility, hands-on assistance with resident needs, and safety monitoring and documentation. CPR and/or First Aid and ServSafe certifications must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained thereafter.

Requirements

Ability to work directly with adults experiencing homelessness in a low-barrier shelter environment.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and changing needs throughout a shift.
Ability to interact with residents who may be upset, frustrated, or experiencing a crisis.
Ability to use de-escalation techniques and professional judgment when conflict occurs.
Dependable attendance and punctuality; reliability is essential.
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.
Ability to use, or willingness to learn, basic computer systems, email, online training platforms, and required software.
Ability to adjust or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or repositioning items as needed.
Ability to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, ramps, poles, or similar structures as required.
Ability to communicate to exchange information through speaking, listening, writing, or electronic methods.
Ability to remain stationary, including 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 effectively.
Ability to work outdoors in conditions that may include heat, cold, rain, snow, and high winds, potentially for extended periods; appropriate protective gear is necessary.
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.

Nice To Haves

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

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.
Help de-escalate conflicts and challenging interactions using respectful communication, sound judgment, and established safety procedures.
Assist residents with essential services, including 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 of 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.