SHELTER ASSISTANT

Bethany House Services; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 19,286 - 24,796; Full time

Job summary

Bethany House Services on Reading Road in Cincinnati, OH seeks a Shelter Assistant for full-time, hourly work at $16/hour. The role focuses on calm, compassionate crisis intervention, de-escalation, and dependable support for families in shelter.

You’ll greet clients, restock supplies, maintain hygiene, enforce policies, and document shift notes. The position requires a high school diploma and confidentiality, with 2nd/3rd shifts and weekend options available.

Qualifications

• A year of experience in social services, or a very convincing case for readiness.
• Ability to de-escalate conflicts with warmth and firmness.
• Commitment to confidentiality and client privacy.

Responsibilities

• Be the welcome committee for new clients, give tours and answer questions.
• Provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed support with active listening.
• Enforce shelter policies fairly and calmly; maintain a safe environment.

Skills

Crisis de-escalation

Active listening

Boundary setting

Empathy

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Job Location: Reading Road - Cincinnati, OH 45237

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: High School Diploma/GED

Salary Range: $16.00 - $16.00 Hourly

Shelter Assistant — Bethany House Services

Part crisis-calmer, part supply-closet MacGyver. All heart.

We're looking for someone who can de-escalate a hallway disagreement before it becomes a real problem, restock hygiene supplies without breaking stride, and still show up the next morning ready to greet a new family walking through the door at a vulnernable momemt of their life — with a genuine smile.

This isn't a "sit behind a desk" job. This is a "be a calm, steady human in the middle of chaos" job. If that sounds terrifying, this probably isn't for you. If it sounds like exactly the kind of work that matters, keep reading.

2nd and 3rd Shift Positions available M-Friday as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Shift Saturday and Sunday!

What you'll actually be doing

• Be the welcome committee. Greet new clients, show them around, answer the 47 questions they didn't know they had.
• Hold space, not grudges. Provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed support — active listening, patience, zero power struggles, even when someone's having their worst day.
• Keep the peace. Enforce shelter policies fairly and consistently, without turning into the rule police.
• Run point on logistics. Blankets, sheets, towels, hygiene kits, food service — you're the reason people have what they need to get through the night.
• Clean like you mean it. Sweep, mop, disinfect, do room checks. A clean shelter is a safer shelter.
• Write it down. Shift notes, incident reports, task checklists — documentation is how the whole team stays on the same page (and how we keep everyone safe and accountable).
• Herd volunteers, occasionally. Direct them, thank them, make sure their good intentions turn into actual help.
• Show up as a teammate. Share ideas, keep your commitments, treat your coworkers with the same respect you give clients.

What you bring

• A year of experience in social services, or a very convincing case for why you're ready anyway.
• The rare combo of compassionate and firm — you can hold a boundary without losing your warmth.
• Crisis de-escalation instincts (or a genuine willingness to build them through training).
• Comfort with confidentiality — what happens in the shelter stays in the shelter.
• Basic Microsoft Office fluency (Outlook, Word, Excel — nothing fancy).
• A flexible, unshakeable, solution-first attitude. Fast-paced doesn't rattle you.
• Bonus points: some kitchen/food safety know-how.

The fine print, but make it honest

You'll be on your feet — kneeling, lifting (up to 10 lbs), reaching, climbing stairs, the whole physical spectrum. You'll be working inside a communal residential space with people of every age, from infants to adults. It's not always quiet. It's not always easy. It is always meaningful.

Bethany House Services is looking for people who can bring calm to chaos, structure to crisis, and dignity to every interaction. If that's you — we want to hear from you.