Shelter Advocate (Swing or Graveyard w/Weekends)

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory - Cascade Division; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory - Cascade Division is seeking two Shelter Advocates for the Swing or Graveyard shift with weekends. You will support domestic violence survivors and their children in a shelter environment, ensuring safety, confidential handling of information, and crisis intervention as needed.

Responsibilities include front desk duties, file maintenance, basic facility upkeep, and coordinating with the Shelter Manager to maintain a secure, welcoming environment for

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or commensurate experience.
• First aid, CPR and a Food Handler's Card certification required yearly.
• Strong customer service, confidentiality and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Interact with domestic violence survivors and children in shelter.
• Answer phones, assist visitors, and maintain client files.
• Ensure safety, resolve conflicts, and report security concerns.
• Coordinate basic maintenance, cleanliness, and logistics.

Skills

Customer service

Confidentiality

Problem solving

Prioritization

Microsoft Office

Diversity & inclusion

Communication

Conflict resolution

Education

High school diploma or GED

First aid certification

CPR certification

Food Handler's Card

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Recruiting Opportunity Closes: 09.29.2026

Hourly Wage: $24.00 - $24.75 DOE

Hours Per Week: 40

Status: Non-Exempt / Full Time - Swing or Graveyard w/Weekends

Number of Positions: 2

Department: West Women's and Children's

Position Title: Shelter Advocate (Swing or Graveyard Shift w/Weekends)

The Salvation Army Mission Statement:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

West Women's Mission Statement:

We create a safe nurturing environment for survivors to realize their potential for healing and growth as we work together to end domestic violence.

SCOPE OF POSITION:

The Shelter Advocate ensures the safety and security of shelter participants while treating everyone with dignity and respect. This role includes enforcing policies, providing crisis support to survivors, addressing basic needs, and resolving conflicts. The position emphasizes site security and controlled access for survivors' protection. Any unusual concerns must be immediately reported to the supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Client Interaction & Support

• Interact directly with domestic violence survivors and their children living in shelter
• Maintain ongoing professional relationships in all interpersonal contacts. (Note: Confidentiality Requirements). Use strength-based perspective in all interactions with survivors and staff
• Provide information, supplies, referrals, crisis intervention, and support to survivors and family and the phonelines
• Ability and willingness to respect and maintain the confidentiality of client information, in compliance with Salvation Army policies and procedures

Front Desk & Administrative Duties

• Answer multi-line telephones and deal appropriately with visitors to the facility
• Receive and route inquiries and messages, inter-office notes and program materials as appropriate
• Assist in maintaining client files by logging appropriate information and incidents occurring during shift
• Receive, log, receipt, sort and store incoming donations and fees in the appropriate manner

Safety & Security

• Remain awake-Remain alert and observant throughout shift
• Respond to and provide crisis intervention and institute security procedures if a critical or threatening situation arises. Provide timely and appropriate notification to emergency services and leadership
• Properly operate all safety and security systems
• Ability to conduct visual inspections of the workplace on a continuous basis, through direct observation, walking inspections, and the use of video system
• Coordination with co-workers, perform security and fire watches throughout the building

Facility Maintenance

• Keep the facilities clean and organized, including but not limited to, changing light bulbs, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, replacing supplies, emptying trash, cleaning, and organizing storage areas, dusting, cleaning floors and carpeting, cleaning tables, chairs, and other furnishings within your work area on a regular basis, and as indicated by unusual or emergency circumstances
• Clean and set up shelter rooms based on shelter needs and availability
• Ability to safely follow instructions pertaining to the use and storage of all workplace chemicals
• Set up, breakdown, prepare, and serve breakfast or lunch as needed to maintain shelter services for survivors
• Report maintenance needs to the appropriate personnel

Professional Requirements

• Ability to learn and act upon new information; work cooperatively with individuals and groups; exercise mature and sound judgment in problem solving; organize your own work; present material properly, and accurately document activities or events happening
• Given the critical nature of duties associated with this position, ensures timely reporting for duty of Shift
• Comply with Salvation Army procedural requirements, including those set forth in the Policy & Procedure Manual and Employee Handbook and Shelter Handbook
• Be familiar with and enforce neighborhood agreements, zoning constraints and funding contracts related to the program and program rules/policies
• Attend all staff meetings as assigned
• Perform other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or GED preferred but not required. Education and/or work experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities required. The individual must have/obtain yearly certification in first aid, CPR and a Food Handler's card.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong customer service skills and the ability to complete tasks in a timely
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests and demands from Survivors and their families
• High level of problem-solving skills and patience
• A genuine concern for survivors of domestic
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy of all survivors and their families
• Basic Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required
• An ability to engage with diverse populations in a respectful and culturally responsive manner
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to consistently communicate and work well with staff and residents from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with various religious beliefs, traditions, lifestyles, sexual orientations, age variance, and differing abilities
• Understanding of basic conflict resolution

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis. Grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinets drawers, and reach overhead
• Operate a desktop or laptop computer. Operate telephone
• Lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to understand written information

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work in all types of weather conditions
• Works on many projects at once in a semi-open office environment with interruptions and noises from voices, telephones, printers

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result

SUPERVISOR: Shelter Manager

Education

High School or Equivalent (preferred)

Experience

Education and/or work experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities required. The individual must have/obtain yearly certification in first aid, CPR and a Food Handler's card. (required)

Licenses & Certifications

Food Handler's Card (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.