Safety Specialist (Interim) (7304)

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

Job summary

Mercy House in Bakersfield, CA is seeking a Safety Specialist for the Emergency Shelter Program on a graveyard shift. This interim role (ends 11/29/2026) offers $22.00/hour and full-time, non-exempt status. Flexibility for evenings, some weekends, and holidays is required, with fluency in Spanish valued.

Dependability and respectful communication are mandatory. Responsibilities include maintaining a safe shelter environment, coordinating with vendors, and supporting administrative duties.

Qualifications

• Must possess a high level of patience, tolerance and understanding for individuals with urgent multiple case management and health needs
• Ability to perform crisis intervention as needed
• Ability to complete duties that are guest focused, trauma informed, and housing focused
• Ability to direct and professionally control crowds while preserving dignity
• Must work with licensed 3rd-party security officer team
• Reliable transportation
• Flexible schedule including some weekends and evenings
• Detail-oriented and proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Clear, effective written and verbal communication, respectful interactions
• Multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Navigate urgent matters with flexibility
• Work effectively with a diverse population

Responsibilities

• Shelter Support: Ensure a safe, guest-focused environment to help guests move toward housing.
• Assist with shelter activities to deliver quality, trauma-informed services and verify orders from vendors.
• Help with shelter setup, maintenance, and facility safety including perimeter checks and gate service.
• Provide client engagement support to drivers during shuttle ride-alongs.
• Administration: Keep daily summary sheets, assist with record-keeping and perimeter logs.
• Miscellaneous: Support guest services and complete ad hoc projects as directed by Supervisor

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Bakersfield, CA 93304, Position Type: Interim, Salary Range: $22.00 - $22.00 Hourly, Job Shift: Graveyard, Job Category: Shelter Services, *This is an interim position with a tentative end date of 11/29/2026 (subject to change).

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Interim

Pay: $22.00/hour

Schedule: Friday - Tuesday 10:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m.

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