Night Shelter Support Specialist - Trauma-Informed Care

Northern Virginia Family Service; Manassas (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) is seeking a Shelter Support Specialist to provide 24-hour awake coverage at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter in Manassas. The role focuses on safety, trauma-informed care, and helping guests pursue housing stability with the support of Housing Counselors.

Responsibilities include orientations, program participation, incident documentation, and collaboration with staff. The position is part-time, on-site, and requires punctuality and reliability.

Qualifications

• Experience in human services, social services, housing, or related fields.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals or families experiencing homelessness, crisis, or trauma strongly preferred.
• Ability to stay calm, exercise sound judgment, and manage stress while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical standards.
• Strong attendance, punctuality, and reliability.
• English fluency; bilingual skills a plus (Spanish, Creole, Farsi).
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred; willing to obtain if not certified.
• Microsoft Office Suite proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Foster a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment by building trusting relationships with shelter guests and responding to their needs with empathy and professionalism.
• Conduct shelter orientations for guests within 24 hours of arrival to ensure understanding of shelter expectations, policies, procedures, and resources.
• Encourage guest participation in shelter programming and support guests in developing skills for long-term housing stability.
• Model and reinforce positive interactions and de-escalate conflicts using trauma-informed practices.
• Ensure safety and security by monitoring the shelter environment and conducting perimeter checks.
• Conduct routine room and personal property inspections per policies.
• Respond to emergencies, incidents, and crisis situations per protocols including evacuations when needed.
• Document incidents accurately per guidelines.
• Maintain a clean, safe shelter including light cleaning and upkeep as needed.
• Comply with CACFP meal planning and documentation.

Skills

Strong attendance

English fluency

Team collaboration

Education

Associates or better in Human Services or related field

CPR/First Aid certification preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) is seeking a Shelter Support Specialist to provide 24-hour awake coverage at the SERVE Emergency Family Shelter in Manassas. The role focuses on safety, trauma-informed care, and helping guests pursue housing stability with the support of Housing Counselors.

Responsibilities include orientations, program participation, incident documentation, and collaboration with staff. The position is part-time, on-site, and requires punctuality and reliability.