Overnight Shelter Support Professional

Mid--maine-Homeless-Shelte; Waterville (ME); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Flexible scheduling

403b retirement plan

EAP

Job summary

Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services is seeking a Shelter Support Professional to provide compassionate, non-judgmental support to individuals with complex needs in a low-barrier environment. The role emphasizes safety, stability, and assisting with psychosocial and basic health needs of guests.

Responsibilities include intake screening, crisis interventions, observation, documentation, and facilitating access to social and housing resources.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; behavioral health or peer support certification preferred.
• Experience with mental health, substance use, or homelessness challenges.
• Strong observational and situational awareness skills.
• Willingness to learn trauma-informed and harm-reduction care practices.
• Clear written and verbal communication; maintain professional boundaries.
• Physical ability to perform duties (standing, lifting, cleaning, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Assist with client intake, screening, and risk assessment to identify acute needs.
• Observe and report changes; document in shift notes.
• Support individualized care plans as directed by care management staff.
• Monitor clients for distress and ensure safety and hygiene standards.
• Apply trauma-informed de-escalation techniques for conflicts or crises.
• Maintain clean, safe environments and ensure safety equipment is functional.
• Record interactions and health status in documentation; share updates with team.
• Help clients access social, behavioral health, medical, and housing resources.
• Participate in supervision and trainings; engage in team meetings.

Skills

High school diploma

Mental health experience

Observation skills

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Professional boundaries

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

We envision a community where homelessness is rare, brief, and a one-time event. Our mission is to provide support to people experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, food, and services to low-income and vulnerable members of the Mid-Maine community.

Job Title: Shelter Support Professional

About Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services (MMHSS)

Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services is one of Maine’s most innovative and inclusive emergency homeless shelters. Our 48-bed, low-barrier facility welcomes everyone, including individuals struggling with addiction, mental illness, or a history of incarceration. We believe in harm reduction and supporting each guest on their journey toward stability and permanent housing. Hope starts here.

Vision

Our vision and mission are based on three core values:

1. We believe in theinherent strength of the people we serveand trust they are able to determine the course of their lives and achieve housing stability;
2. We believe in building relationships of mutual trust and respect by recognizing the right of self-determination of everyone and ensuring that underrepresented voices are given an opportunity to influence decisions and speak their truth;
3. We believe that simple, decent, and affordablehousing is a right for all peopleand is necessary for building and sustaining healthy communities

Position Summary

The Shelter Support Professional provides compassionate, non-judgmental support to individuals with complex needs, including those experiencing mental health challenges, substance use, housing instability, or a history of trauma—within a low-barrier care environment. This role ensures safety, promotes stability, and supports both psychosocial and basic health needs of guests.

Position Types Available

• Full-Time
• Part-Time
• Per Diem (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shifts)

Key Responsibilities & Shelter Duties

Client Intake & Assessment Support

• Assist with initial screening, registration, and risk assessment to identify acute needs (e.g., mental health, substance use, medical concerns).
• Observe and report physical, behavioral, or emotional changes in daily shift notes.
• Support the implementation of individualized care plans as directed by care management staff.

Observation & Monitoring

• Conduct continuous or intermittent observation of clients, particularly those at risk of self-harm, substance relapse, or medical decompensation.
• Maintain awareness of signs of acute distress (e.g., withdrawal, overdose, psychiatric crisis) and respond appropriately.
• Monitor adherence to safety and hygiene standards to ensure a clean and secure environment.

Crisis Intervention & De-escalation

• Apply trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and de-escalation techniques to manage conflict or distressed behavior.
• Follow standardized procedures for responding to medical, psychiatric, or substance-related emergencies.

Environmental Safety & Infection Control

• Maintain hygienic client areas through regular cleaning, sanitation, laundry, and proper disposal of biohazardous materials.
• Ensure all safety equipment (first aid kits, fire extinguishers, PPE) is functional and accessible.

Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately record client interactions, observations, incidents, and health status in shift documentation.
• Communicate relevant updates to the multidisciplinary team, including Shelter and Care Management staff.

Client Advocacy & Referral

• Assist clients in accessing social, behavioral health, medical, and housing resources.
• Encourage client engagement with support services and case management.

Team Collaboration & Professional Development

• Participate in clinical supervision and staff meetings.
• Maintain competency in all required trainings (e.g., MANDT, First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens).

Required Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (additional behavioral health or peer support certification preferred).
• Experience working with individuals facing mental health, substance use, or homelessness challenges.
• Strong observational and situational awareness skills.
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn trauma-informed and harm-reduction care practices.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Emotional resilience and ability to maintain professional boundaries in high-stress environments.
• Physical ability to perform job duties (standing, lifting, cleaning, etc.).

Benefits

• 13 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Scheduling
• Retirement Plan (403b)
• Advancement Opportunities within the Organization
• Health Insurance for Full-Time Positions
  • Includes medical insurance, plus free dental, vision, and short-term disability coverage
• Earned Benefit Time-frontloaded after 90 days (up to 4 weeks)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Position may qualify for Public Sector and Nonprofit Student Loan Forgiveness program

Working Conditions

• Shift work required, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• The work environment may be unpredictable, with guests presenting intoxicated, in withdrawal, or in psychiatric crisis.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter & Services (MMHSS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.
MMHSS prohibits discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and transgender status), national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, or retaliation based on prior protected EEO activity. Harassment—sexual or otherwise—will not be tolerated.