CES Associate

St. Francis House; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 27,235 - 29,949; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vacation 4 weeks

Holidays 13 per year

Life & disability insurance

403(b) retirement with 5% match

Job summary

St. Francis House is seeking a Community Engagement & Safety Associate to ensure a secure, welcoming space for guests, staff, and visitors. You will screen at the front door, monitor safety systems, and respond promptly to medical and security concerns.

The role requires calm under pressure, clear communication, and teamwork. Full-time schedule Sunday–Thursday, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM, with comprehensive benefits for eligible staff.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience with homeless populations or related services preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes guests with a positive, professional presence.
• Models a collaborative, respectful tone and follows procedures.
• Screens guests with HMIS for front door access and meals.
• Monitors environment and intervenes before crises.
• De-escalates situations using calm communication.
• Responds to emergency calls and safety concerns.
• Operates security equipment (x-ray, metal detector).
• Conducts rounds and communicates with team.
• Completes incident reports daily.
• Performs other duties for safe operation.
• Adheres to the agency code of conduct.

Skills

Guest screening

De-escalation

Emergency response

Security equipment operation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

HMIS software

x-ray machine

Handheld metal detector

Job description

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Full-time; Sunday - Thursday, 7:00AM - 3:00PM

Homelessness is a public health, social and racial justice issue!

Salary Range: $19.77 - $21.74 per hour

Since 1984, St. Francis House has committed itself to healing the wounds of those impacted by an inequitable society and breaking down the barriers, including systemic racism that prevent all people from living lives of dignity. St. Francis House is the State’s largest provider of day services supporting people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. Located in the heart of downtown Boston, we compassionately welcome nearly 500+ adults through our doors every day who are seeking a safe and dignified refuge and opportunities to rebuild their lives. Our holistic approach allows us to deepen our impact by offering integrated programming that helps our guests achieve stability in the areas of housing, income, and behavioral health. Joining our team would provide you a dynamic opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of providers dedicated to solving this public health crisis.

We offer an extensive Benefits package! Up to 90% of individual insurance premiums are paid for Harvard Pilgrim Health Care health insurance & Atlus dental insurance, 4 weeks of vacation and 13 holidays recognized per year, employer‑paid life & disability insurance, a vested 403(b) retirement with 5% match, and much more!

Job Summary

The Community Engagement & Safety (CES) Associate is responsible for the security of the SFH buildings. The Community Engagement & Safety Associate ensures that St. Francis House provides a safe and welcoming environment for our guests, staff, and visitors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Welcomes guests by providing a positive, professional, and respectful presence at all times.
• Models a positive, collaborative, professional, and respectful tone on the floor, maintaining clear boundaries and adhering to procedures and guidelines.
• Scans and screens SFH guests through HMIS software for front door scanning and meals, redirects when alerts appear, and monitors restrictions.
• Proactively monitors the environment to intervene before crises occur.
• De‑escalates situations with respectful communication skills.
• Responds to emergency calls throughout the building for medical and safety concerns.
• Uses an x‑ray machine, metal detector, and handheld wand to ensure unsafe objects are not brought into the building.
• Monitors the front of St. Francis House for loitering and disruptive behavior.
• Conducts rounds throughout floors 1 through 10.
• Communicates proactively with team members, supervisors, and all other departments.
• Reads and communicates through email on a daily basis.
• Participates in weekly department meetings and scheduled agency meetings.
• Completes incident reports as required before the end of the day.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the safe and continuous operation of the building.
• Adheres to the agency code of conduct.

Requirements

• Ability to remain calm during stressful situations.
• Ability to greet and welcome everyone who comes to the door.
• Ability to operate physical security equipment such as a handheld metal detector and x‑ray machine.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays.
• Proficiency in English.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent time‑management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate appropriately.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software; able to use a computer for email communication, documentation, and to learn and actively use the guest HMIS database.
• Ability to function well in a fast‑paced and stressful environment.
• Basic understanding of and commitment to a person‑centered, recovery‑oriented, and trauma‑informed approach.

Experience and Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Preference will be given to those with experience working with the homeless population, mental health, or addiction services.
• Lived experience of homelessness and/or recovery is a plus.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Work Environment and Activity

• Constantly operating an x‑ray machine and handheld metal detector; two‑way radio.
• Computer scanner.
• Constant exposure to extreme temperatures (in‑out doors).
• Occasional operation of computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
• Occasional movement inside office spaces, multi‑floor building, and other SFH locations.
• Constantly standing, walking, bending, and stooping for extended hours each day.
• Occasional sitting.
• Ability to respond promptly and efficiently (e.g., walking, running, taking stairs, kneeling down) to address urgent or emergency situations when they arise.
• Ability and willingness to perform light housekeeping.
• Occasional lifting and moving up to 50 pounds independently.
• Ability to adapt to seasonal temperature changes.
• Work week: Required to cover any days between the hours of 6:30 am to 3:00 pm (Monday through Sunday). Shift schedule to be assigned.
• May also be required to provide shift coverage in absence of other staff; with approval of manager.
• Work hours may change based on the needs of the program/department and/or agency.

If you are ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of others, please complete our application process.

SFH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices and fostering a workplace where all employees are respected, supported, and able to grow. In support of our mission, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including those with lived experience of homelessness or recovery and those who have faced barriers to employment. We value the range of experiences and perspectives that strengthen our work in the community.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

This job description is subject to change and does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.