Shelter Specialist (6205)

Mercy House; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 64,747,200 - 70,257,600; Full time

Job summary

Mercy House in Santa Barbara, CA is seeking a Shelter Specialist to provide supportive services and logistical support during designated shifts in the Emergency Shelter Program. The role requires a flexible schedule, including some weekend, morning, evening, and holiday shifts, with a focus on dependable, respectful communication.

Responsibilities include shelter operations, guest services, safety, and coordinating with vendors and program activities to assist guests toward housing outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience providing support for urgent multiple case management and health needs.
• Ability to perform crisis interventions as needed.
• Approach is guest-focused, trauma-informed, and housing-oriented.
• Reliable transportation is required.
• Flexible schedule including some weekends and evening shifts.
• Clear, effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing shelter activities to ensure quality, guest‑focused, trauma‑informed delivery of services.
• Encourage and discuss progress toward housing with shelter guests.
• Assist with shelter setup, maintenance, and safety.
• Assist with receiving and verifying vendor orders and tally sheets.
• Post and update signs and service calendars; set up audio equipment.
• Organize supplies and facilities needs; conduct neighborhood patrols.
• Keep detailed daily summary sheets; assist with records and reporting.
• Support guest services and program activities; complete ad hoc projects as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Trauma-informed care

Multi-tasking

Flexible schedule

Diverse population experience

Job description

Job Title: Shelter Specialist

Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $23.25 - $23.25 Hourly

Shift: Morning; Schedule: Monday - Thursday 6:00am - 2:00pm; Friday-Sunday: Off

Job Summary: The Shelter 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, evening, and holiday shifts. Dependability, responsibility, and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully are mandatory skills.

Responsibilities

• Shelter Support
  • 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 guest.
  • Assist with shelter setup and maintenance.
  • Assist with general cleanliness and safety of facilities, including emptying trash cans and cleaning spills.
  • Assist with receiving and verifying orders from vendors, completing tally sheets.
  • Post and update signs and service calendars.
  • Audio Equipment set up and monitoring.
  • Assist in the organization of supplies and facilities needs.
  • Conduct neighborhood patrols to minimize potential impact on the surrounding community.
• Administration
  • Assist with keeping detailed daily summary sheets.
  • Assist with record keeping and reporting.
• Miscellaneous
  • Assist with guest services and program activities if necessary.
  • Complete ad hoc projects as appointed by Supervisor.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience
  • Possess a high level of 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.
• General
  • Reliable transportation required.
  • Flexible work schedule, including some schedule changes, some weekends, and evening shifts.
  • Ability to communicate clearly, effectively both in written and verbal form and respectfully.
  • 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.
• Physical Requirements
  • 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.
  • Ability to lift, bend, push, and pull up to 50 pounds.

Mercy House is an E‑Verify employer. E‑Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States. Please click on the following links for more information.

E‑Verify Participation Poster: English & Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf)

E‑Verify Right to Work Poster: English & Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf)

Mercy House must reserve the right to modify, supplement, rescind, or revise all job descriptions to meet the overall needs of Mercy House except as to any language that establishes that the employment relationship is at the will of either the staff member or Mercy House.