Safety Specialist

Mercy House; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy House seeks a Shelter Specialist to provide supportive and logistical help for the Emergency Shelter Program on assigned shifts. The role requires flexibility for weekends, mornings, evenings, and holidays, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, housing-focused service delivery.

Bilingual Spanish language is highly valued to assist guests effectively. The position entails shelter setup, safety maintenance, and administrative tasks including daily summaries and record-keeping.

Qualifications

• Ability to perform crisis intervention as needed.
• Fluency in Spanish is a valued asset.
• Detail-oriented and computer proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe, client-focused shelter environment.
• Assist with shelter setup, cleanliness, and safety.
• Post signs and service calendars; organize supplies and facilities needs.
• Assist with vendor orders and tally sheets; reception and record-keeping.
• Support guest services and program activities as needed; complete ad hoc projects.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Bilingual Spanish

Microsoft Word

Excel

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt | Payrate: $22.00/Hour | Schedule: Tuesday - Friday 2 PM - 10 PMJob Summary: The Shelter Specialist is responsible for providing supportive services and logistical support to the Emergency Shelter Program during designated shifts. This position requires a flexible work schedule including some weekend, morning and evening and holiday shifts. Dependability, responsibility, and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully are mandatory skills. Fluency in Spanish is a significant value.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Shelter SupportGoal: Ensure a safe and client focused environment for guests to quickly end their homelessness.Assist in the implementation of shelter activities to ensure quality, guest focused, and trauma informed delivery of services.Encourage and discuss progress toward housing with shelter guestAssist with shelter setup and maintenanceAssist with general cleanliness and safety of facilities including emptying trash cans and cleaning-up spills.Assist with receiving and verifying orders from vendors, completing tally sheetsPost and update signs and service calendarsAudio Equipment set up and monitoringAssist in the organization of supplies and facilities needsConduct neighborhood patrols to minimize potential impact on the surrounding communityAdministrationGoal: Oversee administrative duties that support program services.Assist with keeping detailed daily summary sheetsAssist with record keeping and reportingMiscellaneousAssist with guest services and program activities if necessaryComplete ad hoc projects as appointed by SupervisorRequirements:Education and ExperiencePossess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple case management and health needs.Ability to perform crisis intervention as neededAbility to complete job duties that are guest focused, trauma informed, and housing focused.GeneralReliable transportation requiredA flexible work schedule including some schedule changes, some weekends, and evening shifts to meet the department’s needsDetail-oriented and computer proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel requiredSelf-motivated, the ability to manage a high volume of emails, work independently and with agroup, dependability, responsibilityThe ability to communicate clearly, effectively both in written and verbal form as well as respectfully are mandatory skillsMulti-task and work in a fast-paced environmentNavigate urgent matters while upholding a degree of flexibilityWork effectively with a diverse populationRapid prioritizationSpeak effectively before landlords and/or small groupsKnowledgeable about fair housing and legal concerns to advocate for the organization and the clients we servePhysical Requirements• Enter units with program staff as needed• Answer and respond to phone queries• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer• Must be able to lift, push and pull 50 pounds at timesCore Competencies:Adaptability: Ability to adjust to different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, recognizing the diverse interconnectedness of individuals and communitiesCompassion: Demonstrate empathy and understanding towards others, acknowledging their interconnectedness and inherent worthHumility: Recognize one’s own place within the larger interconnected web of humanity, showing openness to learning from others and acknowledging the contributions of allBuild Trust: Excel in building and maintaining trust within teams and across organizational levels, consistently demonstrating integrity and honesty in communication, actions, and decision-makingAccountability: Take responsibility for actions, admits mistakes, and continuously strives for self-improvement, and encourages a learning mindset within the organizationContinuous Improvement: Commit to personal and professional development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and encourages a learning mindset within the organizationCommunication: Excel in communicating clearly and persuasively through verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, conveying complex ideas with clarity, and fostering open dialogue across all levels of the organizationConfidence: Exhibit courage in making bold decisions, taking action in the face of uncertainty, and embracing calculated risks on behalf of constituentsCritical Thinking: Possess the ability to critically analyze existing policies related to homelessness and constructively advocate for changes that address systemic injusticesCollaboration: Build and foster positive relationships with diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, coworkers, community organizations, and affected communities and effectively working toward the shared goal of ending homelessnessDrive Change: Understand and embodies that every action is an opportunity to be innovative and draw ideas from others. Implements valuable change to forward our mission and shares the “why’s” behind changes