Shelter Associate

The Salvation Army Southern California; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision, dental

Life and disability insurance

Sick leave

Vacation days

Floating day

Pension plan

403(b) plan

Job summary

The Salvation Army Southern California is seeking a dedicated Shelter Associate at the RJ Montgomery Family Hope Center to support administrative and operational tasks. This full-time, non-exempt role serves as the primary office contact, handling intake, data entry, and coordinated safety measures for clients.

Under supervision of the Program Manager, you will interact with clients, enforce policies, monitor the facility, and support meals and daily shelter operations while maintaining

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent requirement.
• Experience working with people is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with Clarity/HMIS and WellSky.

Responsibilities

• Interact with clients and provide excellent customer service.
• Monitor facility and enforce policies; conduct rounds.
• Complete logs, intake data, and required documentation.
• Coordinate with police and emergency services as needed.
• Oversee front desk operations and basic office duties.
• Distribute supplies and manage inventory for the shelter.
• Maintain safety, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Microsoft Suite

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Clarity/HMIS

WellSky

Integrated databases

Job description

Closing Date: 8/18/2026

Benefits

Standard; Full-Time, Non-Exempt employees are eligible for but not limited to the following:

• Health, vision, dental, life as well as voluntary life and disability insurance
• Sick leave benefit – 1 day per month, 12 sick days per year (accrual and availability begins at hire)
• Vacation benefit – 10 vacation days per year, accrued at the rate of .0385 hours for each hour worked, excluding overtime (accrual begins at hire but may not be used until the completion of six months of employment)
• One floating day off for use (accrued immediately, and again annually, but may not be used until the completion of the initial three-month introductory period of employment)
• Pension Plan (after one year of continuous service)
• Voluntary Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan (403(b)plan)

Job Title

Shelter Associate

FLSA Status

Full Time - non-exempt

Reports to

FHC Program Manager

Schedule

40 hours weekly

Supervises

n/a

Rate of Pay

$18.10 USD Hourly

Function

Under the supervision of the RJ Montgomery Family Hope Center Program Manager, the Shelter Associate provides administrative and operational support to the Program Manager and general administration as assigned. Serves as the point person for most office matters. Ensures office systems are in place and most effective in the overall operations and functions of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Interact with and monitor clients' behavior and maintain good rapport by providing excellent customer service.
• Encourage clients to comply with facility policy and procedures.
• Make frequent rounds throughout the entire facility including the perimeter of the building, all bunk areas, bathrooms, patio, and kitchen.
• Monitor clients and the facility via security cameras, through the windows, and during scheduled checks.
• Complete logs, incident reports, and all other required documentation
• Respond appropriately to situations of child abuse and neglect.
• Make calls to the Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Human Services, or other first responders as directed.
• Observe and report irregularities regarding client behavior or building or security issues as necessary.
• Act as the liaison with police and other emergency services.
• Employ crisis prevention and intervention if a conflict occurs.
• Maintain a strength-based and client-centered approach.
• Monitor client's progress toward their goals.
• Model appropriate social skills with clients throughout the shelter environment.
• Provide encouragement and moral support to clients.
• Maintain proper personal and professional boundaries.
• Perform basic front desk duties including answering phones, data entry, filing documents, monitoring video surveillance cameras, and fire prevention/detection alarm notification system.
• Distribute supplies, medications, and other belongings to clients.
• Have a humane and caring attitude toward all clients.
• Give high priority to the welfare of all the clientele.
• Always maintain a professional attitude and appearance.
• Assist in gathering and recording required information from all clienteles.
• Understand all policies and procedures for the center and implement them in daily work.
• Accurate collection of vital statistics during intake and discharge of clients
• Maintain accurate attendance records of all clienteles.
• Maintain supplies necessary for front desk operations.
• Ability to be comfortable working with a diverse population.
• Ability to perform intake and exits of clients.
• Ability to inform a client he/she/them must leave based on his performance and assist in bagging up their personal belongings when necessary.
• Ability to enter intake information into two databases and assign beds.
• Ability to search clients and their belongings in a proper manner.
• Oversee or perform the daily operation of shelter tasks including cleaning, laundry, and setting up the kitchen for meals and serving the meals.
• Oversee the cleaning of the front desk area including the staff bathroom.
• When required, will perform drug/alcohol testing on clientele.
• Responsible for adhering to and implementing policies of the RJMC and those of The Salvation Army
• Performs other duties as required.

Education, Experience, Skills, Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with people
• Microsoft Suite, Clarity/HMIS, Wellsky, required.
• Working knowledge of integrated database applications
• The ability to use new software programs with basic training
• Supportive of The Salvation Army's mission.
• Ability to reflect and model the high standards of our organization as one of the world's most distinguished human services charitable organizations.

Driving

If The Position Requires Driving

• A minimum age of 21 (for insurance provision) and possession of a valid in-state driver's license is required.
• An MVR will be processed every year in accordance with The Salvation Army's policies.

Background Check

• Continued employment will be contingent upon a biennial (every two years) background check that is processed in accordance with The Salvation Army's policies.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to maneuver.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull, and reach overhead.
• Ability to operate telephone.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds.
• Ability to access and produce information from the computer.
• Ability to understand written information.
• Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.