Hours: 8pm to 8:30am (12.5-hour overnight shifts) - up to two shifts per week

Schedule will be determined upon hire and will stay consistent week to week.

New Horizons is looking for part-time Shelter Counselors to engage with young people experiencing homelessness between the ages of 18 and 25. You will join a dynamic direct service team.

Shelter counselors lead the nightly operations of Cedar St. and the Nest, New Horizons’ two young adult shelters. This is an excellent job for someone who has a passion for providing direct service to young adults experiencing homelessness. Candidates must be reliable, safe, patient, and resourceful. Part-time shelter counselors play the important role of providing consistency and predictability of presence for those who stay at New Horizons. Training will be provided. The Shelter Counselor engages with young people across the spectrum of religious and spiritual beliefs, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation and gender.

Primary Responsibilities

Shelter operations

• Prep shelter for opening
• Engage in nightly pre-brief huddle with other shelter staff

• Welcome shelter guests inside, manage waitlist/roster, conduct new intakes as needed
• Prep and/or serve meals as needed
• Oversee chores, laundry, shower access, and lockers
• Enforce shelter expectations throughout the night, de-escalate conflicts, and respond to emergencies according to policies/protocols
• Close shelter, exit guests, and ensure space is clean and ready for daytime programs

• Conduct shift debrief

Administrative duties

• Enter and manage data in HMIS
• Conduct program intakes and make referrals as needed
• Complete nightly communication logs, notes, and reports

Safety

• Enforce all shelter expectations; administer consequences (bars) as necessary
• Remain alert and active throughout the shift – provide presence, reassurance, and support to guests
• Ensure all policies and protocols related to safety are enforced consistently
• Ensure timely communication (in person and by email, text, and or/phone) with team members, shelter coordinator, manager, and director as needed

• Stay up to date with new policies, procedures, equipment, and systems

Other duties

• Attend regular staff meetings and trainings
• Provide staff coverage to either Cedar St. Shelter or Nest shelter at New Horizons, as assigned
• Support special events

• Support the overall goals and mission of the Direct Service department, shelter program, and organization
• Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Min 1 year experience working with young adults in social services/education setting
• Demonstrated experience with teamwork, and a willingness to engage in collaborative problem solving
• Proficient within the PC environment including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to reliably work three regular overnight shifts (8pm – 8:30am) per week

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience with overnight/shelter/residential programs
• Understanding of Trauma Informed Care

Benefits include:

• 25 Paid Time Off (PTO) days per year (prorated throughout the year)
• Six (6) paid holidays each year - New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• Access to a 403(b)-retirement plan with a 2% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program

New Horizons is an equal opportunity employer and qualified applicants from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply, especially people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with lived experience.