Shelter Aide (overnight)

At Bethesda House , our goal is to end the cycle of poverty and homelessness - not just manage the symptoms.

Our teams work to address each individual on a holistic level so they feel heard, respected, and safe in our care. We offer hands-on help to address chronic homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, disability, and systematic poverty by offering innovative solutions and proactive services to the most vulnerable in Schenectady County.

This position is based at Cara House on 917 State Street, Schenectady, NY. Cara House offers supportive housing is a safe/secure environment for individuals with chronic or emergency unmet housing needs. We provide integrated primary care and behavioral health treatment programs and assist with providing access to financial and educational resources where applicable.

The Shelter Aide monitors the Emergency Shelter during their assigned shift to ensure smooth and efficient operations as well as a safe and secure shelter setting.

Schedule : Mon-Thurs, 11pm – 8am (36 hrs/week)
Pay : $16.50/hr

Specific Duties/Responsibilities:

• Meet with the day staff at the start of the shift to ensure all updates, issues and information is obtained and review the Shelter Communication Book.
• Prepare for incoming guests, complete paperwork, consent forms, and intake process for any new guests entering during their shift.
• Ensure shelter participants are awakened and assist while guests exit the building each morning. 
• Assist with shelter space clean-up: collects the items used by the shelter guests e.g. blankets, pillows, pillow cases, etc., bags the items and puts the bags in the hotbox.
• Ensure the safety of all program participants and that they adhere to the shelter rules.
• Monitor behaviors of program participants with constant eyes on supervision.
• Enact safety plan or an emergency plan as necessary.

Qualifications :

• High School Diploma or equivalent required plus 2-5 years’ prior work experience in a related field.
• Strong communications skills with the ability to operate the agency phone system in a clear and professional manner.
• Computer literacy including the ability to work with automated output and the ability to enter data in automated systems.
• Experience working with the homeless population; people who have mental illness and/or substance abuse history and diverse populations.
• Ability to recognize and respond to an emergency. Strong conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.
• Professional demeanor and the ability to represent the agency positively in all interactions, maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness, ability to work independently, and take initiative.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to and from work.
• Availability to work hours above normally scheduled work hours in an emergency to cover front desk duties is a plus.

This description does not contain a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities or activities that are required of the employee. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed and at any time with or without notice. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check including a DMV record search if driving is required for the position.

Bethesda House is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In all employment and hiring decisions, the Agency complies with applicable anti-discrimination laws. This policy applies to all employment practices, including hiring, advertising, recruitment, promotion, demotion/transfer, layoff/termination of employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training and development.