Program Assistant – Cathedral Shelter

Cathedral Center; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Cathedral Center is seeking a Program Assistant to provide frontline support and lead shifts at the shelter for women and families facing homelessness. The role includes crisis response, intakes, staff and volunteer coordination, and rotating on-call duties in a fast-paced environment.

Primarily second shift with occasional meetings, training, and weekend on-call pay opportunities; travel between duties as needed to maintain safe, welcoming services aligned with core values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree + at least two years of direct service experience.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Able to use stairs, sit, stand, and lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to work independently and in a team with a trauma-informed approach.
• Attention to detail and respectful work with diverse, vulnerable populations.
• Reliability and professionalism are key attributes.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and de-escalation for guests.
• Triage basic and immediate needs and support new guests.
• Conduct evening intakes and orientations for new guests.
• Enforce shelter rules and manage check-in/out and daily mail/belongings.
• Respond to and resolve guest issues; ensure smooth daily service flow.
• Delegate shift duties to staff and volunteers; supervise volunteers.
• Maintain guest confidentiality and accurate documentation of interactions.
• Assist with coordinating supplies, meals, and on-call coverage.

Skills

Trauma-informed approach

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Reliability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services, social work or related areas

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

PAY RANGE & TYPE

$38,000 – $45,000 Annual Salary, Full‑Time Exempt

BENEFITS

• Health, dental, and life insurance
• two (2) weeks paid vacation
• paid holiday/sick leave
• overtime
• supported training opportunities (internal/external)
• mental health services
• tuition reimbursement (after one year)

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Assistant provides frontline support and shift leadership at the shelter, ensuring a safe, stable, and welcoming environment for women and families experiencing homelessness or housing crisis. The role includes crisis response, intakes, staff and volunteer coordination, and rotating on-call responsibility. This position will ensure program procedures are carried out with respect to client needs and program capacities, adhering to the agency’s ethical principles and core values. This job is fast-paced, and no two days are alike.

All staff and volunteers at Cathedral Center are expected to communicate professionally and respectfully with vendors, guests, partners, donors, and co-workers. This position is primarily second shift, with flexibility for staff meetings, training, and participation in filling shifts during unexpected vacancies. Specific schedules (such as on-call calendars) are determined by the program directors. This position has opportunities for weekend On-Call pay.

JOB DUTIES

• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and de-escalation for women and families experiencing homelessness or housing crisis.
• Triage basic and immediate needs of guests, and support new guests as they adjust to the shelter.
• Conduct evening intakes and orientations for new guests.
• Compassionately and consistently enforces shelter rules and expectations, managing procedures such as check-in/out and daily mail and belongings.
• Respond to and resolve guest issues as they arise.
• Ensure smooth daily service flow, taking initiative to fill gaps as needed.
• Delegate shift duties to staff and volunteers.
• Ensure shelter procedures are followed and completed each shift.
• Solve staffing problems, including covering or arranging coverage for absences.
• Share on-call responsibilities on a rotating basis, responding to after-hours issues and escalating to leadership as appropriate.
• Maintain a clean, uncluttered, and safe environment for guests, volunteers, and staff.
• Help ensure consistency in staff training and adherence to shelter practices.
• Supervise and support shelter volunteers.
• Schedule and facilitate groups, presentations, and weekly guest activities.
• Complete accurate, timely documentation of guest interactions and observations, including incident reports, data entry, and client files.
• Maintain guest confidentiality at all times.
• Assist the Program Director with securing and distributing supplies and meals.
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Directors and/or Executive Director.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have:

• Bachelor’s degree plus at least two (2) years of direct service experience.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Candidates must be able to use stairs, sit, stand, stop and walk for extended periods of time unaided, and be able to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment, and to become familiar with and utilize a trauma-informed approach
• Attention to detail and ability to work effectively with the public and diverse, vulnerable populations in a respectful and dignified manner are critical qualities
• Reliability and professionalism are key attributes
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Effective skill in use of EXCEL, Word, and other Microsoft applications.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, social work or related areas is preferred.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus
• Wisconsin HMIS system experience

This position requires an ability to be flexible, remain levelheaded while responding to client needs, take initiative and be comfortable in communicating areas of support or service needed. Ability to work effectively with the public and vulnerable populations in a respectful and dignified manner are critical qualities. Someone who remains confident and level-headed in times of crisis and is an effective, unsupervised multi-tasker is ideal for this position.

This position is open to all qualified internal and external candidates. All staff at the Cathedral Center are expected to work effectively both independently and in a team environment and to become familiar with and utilize a trauma-informed approach.

Candidates for all paid and volunteer positions at the Cathedral Center must have been separated from services here for at least one year. All candidates for paid and volunteer positions must be willing to have a background check conducted.