Extreme Weather Shelter Site Staff- Everett

About VOAWW:

Volunteers of America Western Washington is a non-profit organization operating in Western Washington for over 125 years. Our Christian roots drive us to put our faith into action for the benefit of every member of the community. We celebrate our unique perspectives and lived experiences that allow us to better serve and uplift our community – and each other. Volunteers of America Western Washington is officially a designated CARE trauma informed organization.

Benefits (Full time)

• Vacation and Sick Time: Vacation up to 200 hours, Sick time up to 108.64 hours
• Competitive compensation
• Holidays: 8 paid per year + 2 paid floating holidays
• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Savings Account (FSA) medical & dependent care
• Free Employee Assistance program
• 403(b) Retirement Plan matching
• Professional Development opportunities

General Function:

Seasonal Shelter Site Staff for the South Everett Extreme Weather Shelter. Under the oversight of the Shelter Services Program Manager, this role provides front-line services to guests during shelter activations, including guest check-in and orientation, volunteer coordination, de-escalation, and addressing health and safety needs. The shelter operates on a weather-dependent basis and is activated for extreme conditions such as severe cold, excessive heat, hazardous air quality, or significant storms, as determined by the County and local partners. When possible, activations include at least 24 hours’ notice. Typical cold-weather hours are approximately 6:30 pm to 8:30 am; summer or smoke events may require daytime hours as directed.

Principal Activities:

• Open and close the shelter according to procedures for the specific event type and hours.
• Greet, check in, and orient guests on arrival; communicate shelter rules and policies.
• Distribute blankets, cooling supplies, masks, and other materials as appropriate to the event; assist with food and beverage service during shift.
• Monitor the space, maintain safety, and intervene in emergencies per protocol. promptly notify supervisors of incidents.
• De-escalate hostile or potentially hostile situations to keep the shelter safe and orderly.
• Maintain sanitation and cleanliness standards; complete routine cleaning tasks throughout the shift.
• Follow space setup, check-in, monitoring, quiet hours or cool-space guidelines, morning wake-up or closing procedures, and departure protocols.
• Maintain professional boundaries and a welcoming environment for all guests.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Effect on End Results:

• Guests experience a safe, orderly, and dignified shelter environment during extreme weather events.
• Health and safety risks associated with severe cold; heat, smoke, or storms are reduced through timely access to shelter and supplies.
• Incidents are minimized and addressed promptly, with accurate documentation that supports program quality and compliance.
• Volunteers are effectively supported, strengthening service delivery and guest experience.
• The shelter consistently activates and operates according to County criteria and agency procedures, maintaining positive relationships with guests, partners, and the community.

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Requirements:

• Commitment to serving people experiencing homelessness, including individuals with mental health and substance use challenges.
• Ability to remain awake and alert throughout overnight shifts.
• Ability to travel to the shelter location during extreme weather when activated and to be available for on-call assignments.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
• Ability to write thorough, accurate incident reports and shift documentation.
• Basic computer skills: MS Word and Excel, email, web portals, and internet navigation.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, and follow procedures.
• Ability to work on site with many individuals and to use provided personal protective equipment.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, push, pull, reach, and lift up to 30 pounds; to monitor guest activity across indoor spaces and limited outdoor areas; and to work around cleaning products and occasional cold, noise, fumes, and airborne particles.
• Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply. Bilingual applicants are highly encouraged to apply, especially Spanish, Romanian, Romani, Romansh, Ukrainian, Russian, Marshallese, and Arabic.

Required Skills:

• Respectful, professional communication with guests and volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
• De-escalation, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills; ability to stay calm and neutral in high stress situations.
• Strong customer service mindset with empathy and non-judgmental engagement.
• Accurate documentation, attention to detail, and basic data entry.
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to coordinate and oversee volunteers.
• Cultural humility and the ability to provide culturally appropriate services.
• Preferred: familiarity with homelessness services, Motivational Interviewing, and strength-based approaches.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all employment-related decisions are made without consideration of individuals’ race, sex, age, national origin, disability status or any other protected characteristic.