Guest Services Associate

Oliver Gospel Mission Inc; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Gospel Mission Inc seeks a Guest Services Associate to serve as the main contact for guests entering the Men’s Recovery Programs and shelter services. You will greet guests, provide information about available programs, and maintain a welcoming front desk.

The role requires experience in administrative tasks, de-escalation skills, and the ability to work a shift schedule in a nonprofit shelter environment. Strong teamwork and professionalism are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; certifications and college preferred.
• At least 1 year of proven administrative experience.
• Experience in high-risk environments with vulnerable populations.
• De-escalation/conflict resolution experience and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to participate in a shift work schedule.
• Proven ability to work independently while staying aligned with the supervisor's priorities.
• Proficient knowledge of PC-based software and office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors courteously and professionally.
• Provide information about available services, programs, and resources.
• Maintain a clean, organized front desk area and shift communication log.
• Register visitors and assist guests with intake procedures as needed.
• Assist with bed assignments, searches of personal belongings, and screenings when required.
• Answer calls, respond to inquiries, and direct calls to staff.
• Assist with reception tasks, filing, data entry, and record-keeping.
• Become proficient in Oliver Gospel’s HMIS and required systems.
• Communicate effectively with program guests, staff, and volunteers to foster a positive environment.
• Collaborate with team members to address client needs and concerns promptly.
• Provide participant counts for chapel services and events.
• Assist with linens, hygiene items, and meals.
• Assist with receiving/donating items and submitting requests.
• Operate the sound system and Smart TV when needed.
• Help facilitate Rapid Shelter/Cold Weather Shelter.
• Drive company vehicles as needed (MVR required).
• Develop relationships with guests and report needs and behaviors.
• Assist with dispensing medications as needed.
• Ensure guests have clothing and essentials upon entry and throughout programs.
• Monitor security of the front desk and facility areas.
• Deescalate and support people in crises, involving Life Coaches or Managers as needed.
• Report policy violations, substance abuse/suspicions, and threats to staff or guests.
• Enforce shelter structure, policies, and protocols; ensure front desk is attended.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Administrative experience

De-escalation skills

Conflict resolution

Shift work

Independent work

PC software proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Guest Services Associate

Full Time Columbia, SC, US

Classification:Full-Time, Hourly Non-Exempt

Reports To:GuestServices Supervisor

Direct Reports:None

Effective Date:March2025

Position Summary

TheGuest Services Associateis a dedicated and compassionateteammatesupportingOliver Gospel’s Men’s Recovery Programsand Shelter. TheGuest Services Associateservesas themainfront desk point of contactfor individualsentering the Men’s program or seekingshelterservices, support, andotherresources. This roleis crucialin ensuring a welcoming and organized environment forguests/program members, partners,and othervisitors.

Position Qualifications

For Employment with Oliver Gospel

• A believer in Jesus Christ
• Affirm without reservation Oliver Gospel’s Statement of Faith
• Fully support Oliver Gospel’s Statements of Mission and Vision
• Ability and desire to work in harmony with other Oliver Gospel employees
• Be on time and ready to work at the assigned work location on every scheduled day of work
• Due to sensitivity for potential impact upon Oliver Gospel’s Program Participants, the use of alcohol, tobacco and/or vaping products is notpermittedduring scheduled work hours or at any Oliver Gospel event
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license

For the Guest Services Associate

• High School Diploma or equivalent, certifications and college preferred(ministry background a plus)
• Minimum of one yearof provenadministrative experienceand skills
• Experienceworkingin high-risk environments,withvulnerable populations, recovery facilities, and orpeople experiencing homelessness
• De‑escalation/conflict resolution experienceanddemonstratedemotional intelligence
• Ability toparticipatein a shift work schedule
• Proven ability to work independently while staying aligned with the priorities of the supervisor
• Proficient knowledge of PC-based software and relevant applications and office equipment

Position Responsibilities

• Greetvisitorsand guestscourteously and professionally.
• Provide information about available services, programs, and resources offered at the shelter and recovery center.
• Maintain a clean and organized front desk area andmaintain shift communication log.
• Registervisitors and/orassistguestprogramguestswith intake proceduresas needed
• Assistwithconfirming bed assignments,conductingpersonal belonging searches, anddrug/alcoholsubstance screeningswhenrequired.
• Answer phone calls, respond to inquiries, and direct calls to theappropriate staffmembers.
• Assistwith administrative tasks such asreception organizing,filing, data entry, record-keeping, and other common reception duties.
• Become proficient in all aspects of Oliver Gospel’s HMIS and other required systems.
• Communicate effectively withprogramguests, staff, and volunteers tofacilitatea positive and supportive environment.
• Collaborate with other team members to address client needs and concerns promptly and effectivelyto includestrong collaboration withprogramstaff and Life Coaches.
• Provideparticipantcountsfor Chapelservices andspecial events/activities in the facility.
• Assistwith providing linens, hygiene items,and meals.
• Assist with receivingandrecordingdonation itemsandtaking and submitting requests.
• Assistwithoperatingthe sound system and Smart TV in Oliver Hall when needed.
• HelpfacilitateRapid Shelter/Cold Weathershelter.
• Drive companyvehiclesand transport guestswhen needed(approvedMVRrequired).
• Develop relationships with Refresh guests andchart/reporttheir needs and behaviors
• Assistwith dispensingmedicationsas needed.
• Work with relevant staff to ensure programguestshave proper clothing and essentials upon entry and throughout the programs.
• Monitor and ensure the security of the front desk and other facility areas on and off camera.
• Deescalate and provide support for people in crises,deferringto Life Coaches or Managers when facing escalated situations.
• Report all policy violations,substance abuse/suspicion,and/or otherthreats oflife or health threatsto staff or programguests.
• Enforce shelter program structure, policy, standards, and protocols, including ensuringthefront deskis never left unattended withoutdirectcoverageand/or is locked up securely with approval (programguestsnever left in the facility without proper staff supervision).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Core Competencies

• Strong teamplayer
• Strong communicationand public speaking skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to interactprofessionallywith guests, employees,and donors
• Ability to prioritize with an emphasis on quality and accuracy of work
• Ability to use sound judgment in decision making
• Ability to perform all duties with integrity and excellence
• Ability to honorconfidencesand keep confidential information

Mental and Physical Demands

• Ability to work in a changing, growth-oriented environment
• Ability to concentrate and apply mental processes
• Ability to work with disruptions, criticalissuesand emotional individuals
• Ability tooperatewith a positive attitude
• Ability to move seamlessly from one task to another
• Ability toparticipatein travel experiences
• Ability to remain in a stationary position forlong periodsof time
• Ability to move about inside the facility to engage employees,clientsand/or guests
• Ability tofrequentlyclimb stairs, bend, squat, kneel, and reach upward or outward in performing tasks
• Ability to lift, carry,pushand/or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Ability to engage in limited exposure to health-related issues such as colds,virusesand other illnesses