SHELTER ASSISTANT

## Description

# Shelter Assistant — Bethany House Services

**Part crisis-calmer, part supply-closet MacGyver. All heart.**

We're looking for someone who can de-escalate a hallway disagreement before it becomes a real problem, restock hygiene supplies without breaking stride, and still show up the next morning ready to greet a new family walking through the door at a vulnernable momemt of their life — with a genuine smile.

This isn't a "sit behind a desk" job. This is a "be a calm, steady human in the middle of chaos" job. If that sounds terrifying, this probably isn't for you. If it sounds like exactly the kind of work that matters, keep reading.

***2nd and 3rd Shift Positions available M-Friday as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shift Saturday and Sunday!***

## What you'll actually be doing

• **Be the welcome committee.** Greet new clients, show them around, answer the 47 questions they didn't know they had.
• **Hold space, not grudges.** Provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed support — active listening, patience, zero power struggles, even when someone's having their worst day.
• **Keep the peace.** Enforce shelter policies fairly and consistently, without turning into the rule police.
• **Run point on logistics.** Blankets, sheets, towels, hygiene kits, food service — you're the reason people have what they need to get through the night.
• **Clean like you mean it.** Sweep, mop, disinfect, do room checks. A clean shelter is a safer shelter.
• **Write it down.** Shift notes, incident reports, task checklists — documentation is how the whole team stays on the same page (and how we keep everyone safe and accountable).
• **Herd volunteers, occasionally.** Direct them, thank them, make sure their good intentions turn into actual help.
• **Show up as a teammate.** Share ideas, keep your commitments, treat your coworkers with the same respect you give clients.

## What you bring

• A year of experience in social services, or a very convincing case for why you're ready anyway.
• The rare combo of compassionate *and* firm — you can hold a boundary without losing your warmth.
• Crisis de-escalation instincts (or a genuine willingness to build them through training).
• Comfort with confidentiality — what happens in the shelter stays in the shelter.
• Basic Microsoft Office fluency (Outlook, Word, Excel — nothing fancy).
• A flexible, unshakeable, solution-first attitude. Fast-paced doesn't rattle you.
• Bonus points: some kitchen/food safety know-how.

## The fine print, but make it honest

You'll be on your feet — kneeling, lifting (up to 10 lbs), reaching, climbing stairs, the whole physical spectrum. You'll be working inside a communal residential space with people of every age, from infants to adults. It's not always quiet. It's not always easy. It is always meaningful.

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*Bethany House Services is looking for people who can bring calm to chaos, structure to crisis, and dignity to every interaction. If that's you — we want to hear from you.*