The Shelter Specialist is responsible for maintaining program operations, providing basic needs to participants, and ensuring site safety. This role involves crisis intervention, facility cleaning, and accurate documentation of participant activities.
Requirements overview
Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and documented experience in homeless services or a related field. Strong human relations skills and the ability to work with diverse populations are required.
“Doing the Most Good.” In these four words, our mission – to feed, to clothe, to comfort, to care, to rebuild broken homes and broken lives. By walking with the addicted, we can lead them to recovery. By fighting hunger and poverty, we can feed and nurture the spirit. And, by living and sharing the Christian Gospel and meeting tangible needs, we give the world a lasting display of the love behind our beliefs.
The Salvation Army operates more than 50 social service agencies strategically placed throughout Southern California. Material and spiritual support is our standard - social services delivered with compassion is our model - anyone in need is our prerequisite. Our work is funded through kettle donations, corporate contributions, and the sale of goods donated to Salvation Army Family Stores. Eighty-two cents of every dollar we raise supports our various programs across Southern California. We are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions are deductible for Federal Income Tax Purposes to the extent permitted under Section 170(b)(2) for corporations.
An international movement, The Salvation Army is an evangelical arm of the universal Christian Church. Our message is based on the Bible, and our ministry is motivated by the love of God. We preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Recruiting Opportunity Closes: 10.19.2026
Hourly Wage: $23.00 - $25.00 DOE
Hours Per Week: 36
Status: Non-Exempt / Full Time
Number of Positions: 1
Department: The Salvation Army Overnight Shelters-SAFES Location
Position Title: Shelter Specialist (OVERNIGHT)
The Salvation Army Mission Statement:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the
universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is
motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus
Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Application Instructions:
Complete the online job application, upload a resume.
To apply online go to: Shelter Specialist-Overnight
[https://tinyurl.com/374ehmff] , or https://tinyurl.com/374ehmff
[https://tinyurl.com/374ehmff]https://tinyurl.com/baud63ms
To apply in person go to 9827 NE Sunderland Ave. Portland, OR 97211. Bring a
resume and complete the job application provided to you. Incomplete applications
will not be accepted.
Questions, contact Allison Welch at allison.welch@usw.salvationarmy.org
[allison.welch@usw.salvationarmy.org] or call (971) 202-5360. Ms. Welch is the
sole point of contact for questions regarding this position.
Recruiting Accommodation Statement:
To obtain assistance with accommodations related to the American’s with
Disabilities Act (ADA) concerning your application process, please contact
1-888-887-6528 or email thq.reporting.line@usw.salvationarmy.org
[thq.reporting.line@usw.salvationarmy.org], attention Donna Campagnolo.
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Education and Work Experience:
* Education: High school diploma or GED.
* Documented experience in homeless services (or related experience).
* Education and/or work experience commensurate with the duties and
responsibilities required
* Strong Human relations skills; trauma-informed care.
Scope of Position:
The Shelter Specialist is responsible for completion of various assigned tasks.
The primary focus will be maintaining program operations and services for
participants on site. The Shelter Specialist works closely with program
participants of the Shelter to provide the basic needs, services, or to
de-escalate negative participant interactions. This role will also have a focus
on site safety and access control for the participants.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
* Basic Microsoft Office experience is needed
* An ability to engage with diverse populations in a respectful and culturally
responsive manner.
* Demonstrated ability and willingness to consistently communicate and work
well with staff and residents from a variety of racial, cultural, and
economic backgrounds and with various religious beliefs, traditions,
lifestyles, sexual orientations, age variance and differing abilities.
* Understanding of basic conflict resolution.
* Commitment to keeping client information confidential.
* Ability and willingness to understand and fully comply with mandatory
reporting requirements and laws pertaining to vulnerable adults and children.
Licenses and Certifications required/Preferred: Driver License. Trauma informed
Care, Assertive Engagement, First Aid and CPR; Non-Violent Crisis Intervention;
Peer Support; Heat Illness Prevention; Safe Driving; Rent Well; Community
Warehouse Escort; Civil Right Training; Bloodborne Pathogens Training;
De-Escalation Training;
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
* Ability to safely follow instructions pertaining to the use and storage of
all workplace chemicals.
* Ability to properly operate all safety and security systems, which may
include CCTV video monitoring.
* Ability to conduct visual inspections of the workplace on a continuous basis,
through direct observation, walking inspections and the use of video
monitors.
* Ability to learn and act upon new information; work cooperatively with
individuals and groups; exercise mature and sound judgment in problem
solving; organize own work; present material properly and accurately document
activities.
* Keep the facilities clean and organized, including but not limited to,
changing light bulbs, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, replacing supplies,
emptying trash, cleaning and organizing storage areas, dusting, cleaning
floors and carpeting, cleaning tables, chairs and other furnishings within
your work area on a regular basis, and as indicated by unusual or emergency
circumstances.
* Follow the Program Exit procedure to exit participant from the shelter daily.
* Report any concerns to the identified supervisor.
* Ensure participants are safe, along with any animals allowed on site.
* Respond to and provide crisis intervention and institute security procedures
should a critical or threatening situation arise. Provide timely and
appropriate notification to police, fire, emergency medical and supervisory
authorities.
* Maintain statistical records, reports, logs, files and other required
documentation.
* Work cooperatively with other Salvation Army staff and programs.
* Communicate positively with all on-site staff, managers, supervisors,
volunteers, and participants.
* Be on time for established shift, take breaks according to established
patterns.
* Ability and willingness to respect and maintain the confidentiality of client
information, in compliance with Salvation Army policies and procedures.
* Ability and willingness to understand and fully comply with mandatory
reporting requirements and laws pertaining to vulnerable adults.
* Remain awake, the ability to provide observational oversight of program
activities while on shift.
* Comply with Salvation Army procedural requirements, including those set forth
in the Policy & Procedure Manual and provided guidelines.
* All other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
* Sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or
continuous basis.
* Grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinets drawers, and reach
overhead.
* Operate a desktop or laptop computer. Operate telephone.
* Lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
Working Conditions:
* Work in all types of weather conditions.
* Works on many projects at once in a semi-open office environment with
interruptions and noises from voices, telephones, printers.
MISCELLANEOUS:
The Salvation Army does have a dress code that includes professional dress which
is appropriate to the work environment and reflects well on the organization.
The candidate chosen for this position will be required to pass a criminal
history information check. Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude
employment. The circumstances involved in the conviction(s) will be considered.
Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the
position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability
may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment to meet
the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army would attempt to
satisfy requests if the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship
would result.
Supervisor: Site Manager
The Salvation Army Southern California•Portland, Oregon, United States