Full Time Warming Center Assistant

The Salvation Army•Lockport, NY

About The Position

The Warming Center Assistant provides supervision and monitoring of warming center guests and the program, and supports the general management of the center. The seasonal program operates seven days per week during cold winter months and is co-located with the Lockport Corps. Assistants help maintain a safe, secure, comfortable, and supportive environment consistent with the program’s low-barrier approach to care for homeless individuals. This is a seasonal, temporary, full-time opportunity offering sick time.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to achieve and maintain CPR certification.
Ability to defuse crisis situations independently and in team settings.
Ability to document program events and carry out scheduled or spontaneous tasks.
Ability to apply training and skill-building information.

Nice To Haves

Additional education and training.
One to two years of experience in human services working with homeless individuals, people living in poverty, or people experiencing substance use disorder or mental health conditions.

Responsibilities

Supervise guests, explain program policies and rules, and communicate potential consequences for violations.
Address guests’ immediate basic needs and orient them to the warming center program.
Provide basic-needs supplies, including snacks or meals, linens, containers for belongings, and hygiene supplies.
Provide conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and support as needed.
Assist community providers and social services with guests’ individual service needs.
Promote activities that build daily-living competence and independent-living skills.
Plan, conduct, and monitor guest group meetings and other activities.
Maintain statistical accountability, clear daily log entries, and an up-to-date daily log and census.
Complete shift-specific tasks, including chore assignments, cleaning, laundry, and intake sheets.
Maintain shift-to-shift communication in the staff journal.
Answer the telephone and respond to inquiries.
Provide resources and referrals.
Conduct facility safety checks at least once per night, including checks of sleeping and resting areas.
Record maintenance or repair needs in the communication journal and address immediate safety concerns promptly.
Monitor the fire, security, and alarm systems.
Commit to a work schedule at least two weeks in advance; fulfill on-call duties as well as regularly scheduled hours when program operations require.
Attend mandatory staff meetings and required training sessions.
Collect basic intake information from each new guest.
Demonstrate cultural competence and integrate it into daily responsibilities.