Night Shelter Support – Family Shelter (Full-Time)

Tech9; Gresham (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Just Compassion of East Washington County in Gresham, OR is seeking a dedicated Shelter Support to help run a 50-unit family shelter. You will assist with meals, guest support, and coordinate with case management and youth services to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.

The role requires compassion, strong communication, and reliability for evening shifts, with a pay rate of $22–$24 per hour. Benefits include medical, dental, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 1+ year of experience in human services, hospitality, or shelter environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Basic cooking, cleaning, and facility maintenance skills.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct assistance to families and individuals staying in the shelter with empathy and professionalism.
• Support participants in accessing daily resources such as hygiene items, laundry, and meals.
• Uphold trauma-informed and harm-reduction principles in all interactions.
• Assist with new participant orientations and help families become familiar with shelter services and routines.
• Communicate participant concerns to the Program Supervisor or Case Manager as appropriate.
• Prepare and serve meals and maintain kitchen cleanliness and sanitation.
• Follow safe food handling procedures and assist with inventory and supplies.
• Support volunteer or community meal service activities as needed.
• Report maintenance or safety concerns promptly and restock supplies.
• Complete daily logs, shift notes, and inventory records; maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Compassionate service

Multitasking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Food Handler’s Certification

Job description

LocationPortland, ORCompensation$22 - $24 per hour (USD)Job Title: Shelter Support – Family ShelterReports To: Program Supervisor – Family ShelterLocation: Gresham, OregonFull-Time | 40 hours/week | Pay Range: $22/hr-24/hr (DOE) | Benefits IncludedShifts: Wednesday-Saturday - (10pm-8am)**About Just Compassion**Just Compassion of East Washington County is a community-centered nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of unhoused individuals by building relationships and working toward long-term housing stability. We operate with a low-barrier, housing-first approach, ensuring equitable access to services for all individuals.**Position Summary**The Shelter Support team plays a key role in maintaining daily operations and providing hands-on support across all program areas within Just Compassion’s 50-unit family shelter in Gresham, OR. This position assists with meal preparation, facility upkeep, guest support, and coordination with case management and youth services teams to ensure a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all participants.This position requires flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, and a team-oriented mindset. Shelter Support team are often the first to respond to participant needs and are essential to the smooth and compassionate functioning of shelter life.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**Guest Support and Engagement* Provide direct assistance to families and individuals staying in the shelter with empathy and professionalism.* Support participants in accessing daily resources such as hygiene items, laundry, and meals.* Uphold trauma-informed and harm-reduction principles in all interactions, ensuring participants feel respected and valued.* Assist with new participant orientations and help families become familiar with shelter services, routines, and community expectations.* Communicate participant concerns or incidents to the Program Supervisor or Case Manager as appropriate.Meal Preparation and Kitchen Support* Prepare and serve meals (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) according to the established schedule and nutritional standards.* Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of the kitchen, dining area, and food storage spaces.* Follow safe food handling and temperature control procedures in compliance with public health standards.* Assist with inventory management, restocking, and organization of food and kitchen supplies.* Support volunteer or community meal service activities as needed.Operational and Facility Support* Support the overall upkeep of communal spaces, including cleaning, organizing, and light custodial tasks.* Assist with setup and takedown for program activities, meetings, and family events.* Report maintenance or safety concerns promptly to the Program Supervisor.* Restock supplies in common areas, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.* Help coordinate donations, inventory, and supply distribution.Team and Program Collaboration* Work collaboratively with all shelter departments, including case management, youth services, childcare, and safety staff.* Assist Youth Services or Childcare Specialists with program setup or activity preparation when needed.* Support Safety Coordinators and Night Support Specialists in maintaining an orderly, calm environment during shift transitions.* Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and cross-department communication to ensure consistent participant care.Documentation and Compliance* Complete daily logs, shift notes, meal counts, and inventory records as required.* Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries in all participant interactions.* Follow agency policies, safety standards, and emergency response procedures.* Contribute to data collection or HMIS reporting by documenting relevant services or interactions.**Qualifications**Required:* High school diploma or equivalent.* 1+ year of experience in human services, hospitality, or shelter environments.* Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work compassionately with diverse populations.* Basic cooking, cleaning, and facility maintenance skills.* Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.* Commitment to trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Just Compassion’s mission.Preferred:* Experience in food service, social services, or residential facilities.* Knowledge of homelessness, family services, or housing support systems.* Food Handler’s Certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days).* Bilingual or multilingual abilities (Spanish, Russian, or other languages commonly spoken by participants).**Work Environment*** Based on-site at the family shelter with regular interaction with families, children, and community partners.* Work involves light lifting (up to 40 lbs.), prolonged standing, and exposure to kitchen and cleaning materials.* Requires flexibility, teamwork, and comfort working in a dynamic, trauma-informed environment.* Stay informed on Just Compassion and County policies, procedures, and program standards.* Uphold best practices in trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and harm reduction.* Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Program Manager and funding entities.**Physical Requirements*** Ability to walk up and down stairs and stand for extended periods.* Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and assist with light physical tasks (e.g., setting up tables/chairs).* Ability to perform job duties that may involve bending, twisting, or reaching.* Competitive pay and benefits including medical, dental, and paid time off.* Opportunities for professional development, including training in trauma-informed care and housing-first strategies.* A collaborative work environment that values compassion, advocacy, and community impact.* Be part of a growing organization working to create real housing solutions in Washington County and beyond.*Just Compassion of East Washington County is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. This policy prohibits discrimination on all legally recognized bases including, but not limited to, race, creed, color, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, national origin, or service in the uniformed services.*# Location