Forest Grove Temporary Emergency Shelter

Invites applications for the position of:

Forest Grove Temporary Emergency Shelter Staffing Coordinator

Compensation: Stipend of $9,000. No benefits.

TEMPORARY POSITION, FOR OCTOBER 1, 2017 – APRIL 15, 2018

This position will require evenings, weekends, and on-call hours, as well as the ability to travel on-site in times of severe weather, such as heavy snow, ice, and rain.

Opening Date: August 7, 2017

Closing Date: October 1, 2017

The Position

Forest Grove Temporary Emergency Shelter (FG-TES) was opened in 2007 at the Forest Grove United Church of Christ (FG-UCC), providing 15 adults and 2 families with a warm, safe place for the night. Since 2015, the FG-TES is a collaboration between FG-UCC and SonriseForestGroveChurch (Sonrise FG), each providing two nights of shelter per week. As part of the WashingtonCounty coordinated Response Plan, staff and volunteers follow protocol for all county shelters in maintaining a safe, welcoming environment.

The Staffing Coordinator will act as primary contact for all shelter staffing activities and be responsive to UCC and SonriseChurch. This person is responsible for staffing of the shelter every Monday – Thursday night from November 13, 2017 – March 30, 2018, as well as additional evenings or days of opening due to severe weather. The Staffing Coordinator will recruit, train and manage both volunteers and work study employees, coordinate essential services such as linen prep and cleaning, and ensure compliance with shelter rules. They will be one of two paid staff persons at the shelter, supported by a team of approximately seventeen (17) volunteers on any given night.

The position requires a public-service oriented individual, with excellent organizational and communication skills, including the ability to interact with people from different backgrounds. The successful candidate will be able to manage multiple tasks, respond quickly and calmly to situations, dictate rules clearly and effectively, resolve conflicts in a respectful manner, and motivate a team of volunteers.

Responsibilities

Essential functions of the job include:

  • Opening and closing the shelter each evening of operation and when the shelter is activated due to severe weather, including intake of guests.
  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers and work study employees for various roles including check-in, overnight supervision and check-out.
  • Work with Site Coordinators to facilitate training new staff, and assist in developing and communicating policy changes.
  • Maintain a list of all qualified volunteers and work study employees, and assist the Site Coordinators in compiling hours for reporting purposes.
  • Create and communicatevolunteer and work study employee work schedules; confirming availability or securing a replacement.
  • Work with Site Coordinators to ensure the availability of linens and bed mats, and coordinate cleaning, on a regular basis as well as for last-minute shelter openings.
  • Enforce shelter rules and ensure volunteer and guest safety through strict compliance of on-site hours, no drug/alcohol policy, conflict resolution, and appropriate staffing levels.
  • Serve as a point of contact for community inquiries regarding volunteer opportunities, responding to email and telephone inquiries.
  • Serve as overnight host as needed.

The Ideal candidate

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Experience in working with homeless individuals and exposure to social work.
  • Experience managing/supervising volunteers and enthusiasm for working with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Flexible schedule and ability to travel to the shelters regardless of weather conditions.
  • Detail oriented, strong time-management skills, and experience with administrative duties, including proficiency with general office software.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiar with resources for homeless individuals and with social service referral for WashingtonCounty.
  • Working toward a degree in social work, or some combination of experience and education.
  • Work history in community-based or nonprofit organizations.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a cover letter to Brian Schimmel at:

In your cover letter, please include responses to the following:

  • Why does this position interest you?
  • What experience do you have working with homeless adults or at homeless shelters?
  • Please describe any training or experience you have with recruiting, training and managing volunteers. Include any experience in the preferred qualifications.