Safety Specialist (7417)

Mercy House; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy House in Bakersfield, CA seeks a Safety Specialist for the Emergency Shelter Program. The role supports shelter operations during evening and weekend shifts, providing trauma-informed care and client engagement while maintaining safety and order.

Fluency in Spanish is highly valued; dependable, flexible, and communicative professionals are encouraged to apply. Evening and holiday shifts are required as part of a rotating schedule.

Qualifications

• Requires high level of patience and tolerance for clients with urgent needs.
• Ability to perform crisis intervention as needed.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully in writing and verbally.
• Ability to work with a diverse population and maintain client dignity.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a safe, client-focused shelter environment and trauma-informed service delivery.
• Assist with shelter activities and housing discussions; manage setup, cleanliness and safety.
• Maintain perimeter checks, fire watch duties and traffic control.
• Provide client engagement support during shuttle service rides.
• Oversee daily summaries, records and reporting; assist with logs.

Skills

Patience

Crisis intervention

Effective communication

Diversity sensitivity

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Brundage Lane Navigation Center - Bakersfield, CA

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Not Specified

Salary Range: $22.00 - $22.00Hourly

Job Shift: Evening

Job Category: Shelter Services

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Pay: $22.00/hour

Schedule: Sunday - Tuesday 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Wednesday - Thursday 10:00 pm - 6:00 am

Job Summary

The Safety 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. The ability to demonstrate personal integrity is a must.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Shelter Support

Goal: 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 guests
• Assist with shelter setup and maintenance
• Assist with general cleanliness and safety of facility including emptying trash cans and clean-up
• Assist with receiving and verifying orders from vendors, completing tally sheets
• Assist in the organization of supplies and facilities needs
• Maintain a safe and functional shelter facility by providing traffic control and gate service
• Perform basic searches of persons or their property
• Demonstrate responsibility during perimeter checks and fire watch duties
• Provide client engagement support to drivers during shuttle service ride-along

Administration

Goal: Oversee administrative duties that support program services

• Assist with keeping detailed daily summary sheets
• Assist with record keeping and reporting
• Assist with keeping perimeter check logs and fire watch duties

Miscellaneous

• Assist with guest services and program activities if necessary
• Complete ad hoc projects as appointed by Supervisor

Qualifications: Requirements

Education and Experience

• This person must possess a high level of patience, tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple case management and health needs
• Ability to perform crisis intervention as needed
• Ability to complete job duties that are guest focused, trauma informed, and housing focused.
• The ability to direct and professionally control crowds while preserving their right to personal dignity
• Ability to work in synch with licensed 3rd-party security officer team

General

• Reliable transportation required
• A flexible work schedule including some schedule changes, some weekends, and evening shifts to meet the department’s needs
• Detail-oriented and computer proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel required
• Self-motivated, the ability to manage a high volume of emails, work independently and with a group, dependability, responsibility
• The ability to communicate clearly, effectively both in written and verbal form as well as respectfully are mandatory skills
• Multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Navigate urgent matters while upholding a degree of flexibility
• Work effectively with a diverse population
• Rapid prioritization
• Speak effectively before landlords and/or small groups
• Knowledgeable about fair housing and legal concerns to advocate for the organization and the clients we serve

Physical Requirements

• Commute in the field as needed throughout the week to meet with property managers, attend to property emergencies, conduct habitability inspections, post notices, unit assessments, etc.
• 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 times