Shift Leader

Bay Cove Human Services; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 27,822 - 39,625; Full time

Job summary

Bay Cove Human Services is seeking a Shift Leader to assist the Director in setting direction and providing on-site oversight of the shelter and Shelter Support Workers. This non-exempt role focuses on accessible, effective services and a compassionate, safe environment where guests can pursue personal goals, guided by trauma-informed care and harm-reduction principles.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, documenting intake and HMIS data, responding to safety concerns, and coordinating

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred in psychology or related field.
• Two years of experience in health or human service fields preferred.
• Experience with unhoused populations and behavioral health/substance use preferred.
• Strong writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Windows, Word, Google Email and Apps.
• Lived experience encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site oversight of the shelter and Shelter Support Workers.
• Ensure safety and compassionate, trauma-informed care for guests.
• Complete intake documentation and HMIS data entry.
• Communicate safety concerns and implement response plans.
• Assist in crisis intervention and emergency response.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred in psychology or related field

Two years experience in health or human service fields preferred

Tools

Windows

Word

Google Workspace

Job description

Mission Statement

Bay Cove Human Services’ mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.

Schedule

Sunday - Monday 12am - 12pm (24 hours)

Job Summary

The Shift Leader assists the Director to set the overall direction and provides on-site oversight of the shelter and Shelter Support Workers. The Shelter Manager contributes to Bay Cove’s mission by ensuring that services are accessible, inviting, effective, and efficiently operated, thus making the services an ideal environment in which individuals can pursue their personal goals. This is a non‑exempt position.

Essential Functions of Position

• Support the shelter support workers to ensure that they are providing safe, respectful, and compassionate services in a low‑threshold environment that is anchored in evidence‑based and emerging best practices, including harm reduction and trauma‑informed care principles.
• Provide care for guests and maintain safety by visual monitoring of all guests, actively and respectfully interacting with guests and the team to ensure routines and safety procedures are followed and recognize that the majority of guests have endured trauma and employ trauma‑informed care in all interactions.
• Ensure safety of the guests and facility by assisting shelter support workers with conducting scheduled safety checks, monitoring common areas inside the facility (entrances, stairwells, bathrooms, and other accessible locations), outside the program (parking lot, front of building, and area that trash is maintained, etc), and provide supportive feedback and redirection to guests when needed.
• Complete required documentation at intake, HMIS (Homeless Management Information System), as required.
• Follow safety plans and restrictions established by shelter leadership.
• Immediately communicate any safety concerns to colleagues and work collaboratively to identify and carry out a response plan and report incidents verbally to the supervisor on duty or on‑call as soon as it is safe to do so and follow up with a written incident report as soon as the situation has stabilized and duties allow, but before the end of the shift.
• Provide crisis intervention and de‑escalation as needed. Contact 911 when issues arise that cannot be managed safely in the setting (medical emergencies, guests not responsive to de‑escalation techniques, etc.) and provide emergency intervention to stabilize the situation until professional help arrives (naloxone administration, basic first aid, CPR, etc.).
• Support shelter support workers in following established policies and procedures and assisting guests with issues/concerns.
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and supervisions.
• Other job‑related duties as assigned.

Requirements for the Position

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred, in psychology or other human service fields preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience in health or human service‑related fields preferred.
• Two (2) years of experience working with those who are unhoused and those experiencing behavioral health and/or substance use disorders preferred.
• Demonstrated professional writing, interpersonal, and organization skills.
• Basic proficiency in word processing and other computer functions using Windows, Word, and Google Email and Apps.
• Individuals with lived expertise encouraged to apply.

Personal Characteristics

• Utilizes a flexible and responsible work style that meets evolving needs of the agency.
• Works with integrity and respects the dignity and value of all individuals.
• Exhibits mission through job knowledge, pride in work role, and advocacy.
• Promotes diversity and inclusion of all individuals.
• Works in a collaborative, compassionate manner with stakeholders/partners.

Physical Requirements

• Ongoing detection and interpretation of information on documents, monitors, and labels and accompanying response, as well as identification of equipment and supplies.
• Frequent interaction with providers, colleagues, customers, persons served, and visitors requiring the employee to communicate, as well as detect and interpret information, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, occasionally during emergency situations.
• Frequent communication of accurate information, instructions, and ideas so others will understand.
• Operation of complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent phone and computer use for documenting services, accessing needed information, etc.
• Bending to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Frequent movement throughout the workspace to access, obtain, or distribute supplies (sometimes pushing or pulling equipment), interact with persons served, assist in the transport of persons served, etc.
• Undertake lifesaving efforts by conducting CPR via the provision of chest compressions and rescue breathing as needed until relieved by medical professionals.
• Remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Bay Cove Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other groups as protected by Massachusetts or federal law. All qualified candidates, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.

Bay Cove Human Services does not offer visa sponsorships at this time and will require candidates to be authorized to work in the United States.

Remuneration

Pay Rate: $24.48 Hourly