On-Call Substitute Shelter Staff

Looking for a flexible role where you set your own schedule? This on-call position is perfect for students or anyone seeking hands-on experience in social services!!

Position Title: On-Call Substitute Shelter Staff

Status: On-Call (Non-Exempt)

Wage: $19.00/hour (2x rate on holidays)

Hours: This is an on-call position; work hours are not guaranteed. Substitutes use a phone app to sign up for open shifts. Substitutes may work up to 32 hours per week.

The shelter operates 24/7 with three different shifts: 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, 11pm-7am.

About us: Sarah's Circle is a non-profit organization working to end homelessness for women in Chicago. Our programs have three overarching goals:

• We welcome all women with safety, respect, and community. 
• Support women's growth in all aspects of wellness: physical, emotional, life skills, economic, and the realization of their unique potential.
• Help each women find her home.

Summary

Substitutes work in the Interim Housing (IH) Program which is a 50 bed, long-term shelter that serves women who are homeless and is open 25 hours a day, 365 days a year. Women living in the program have access to resources to meet basic needs, 3 meals a day, supportive services, and case management to help them find permanent housing. 

Substitutes provide font-line services and support to these women. This includes welcoming all clients, providing information about services, de-escalating conflict when it arises, and ensuring the program space is clean, orderly, and free of hazards. This position assists in shelter operations including overseeing client activities, completing front-desk administrative duties, cooking, and cleaning. Substitutes provide services to clients in a trauma-informed manner and must be comfortable working with individuals experiencing severe mental illness. 

Please note: Sarah's Circle provides homeless services to women ages 18 and above. Due to the nature of this position, only female applicants will be considered for this role. All applicants are welcome to apply to many positions within our organization. View currently open positions at https://sarahs-circle.org/employment-opportunities/. 

Responsibilities

• Welcome clients & provide information: Greet all individuals that enter the program; address immediate needs such as food, clothing, and medical attention; provide a program orientation and facility tour; provide copies of client rights and responsibilities and the grievance procedure; assess for language barriers.
• Maintain a respectful culture: Respond to conflict and incidents by proactively engaging clients who are angry or in distress in de-escalation and redirection. Use nonjudgmental language, listen, and validate a wide range of emotions expressed by clients. Collaborate with clients to find solutions instead of immediately giving consequences. 
• Monitor and assist daily client activities: Monitor program entrances, client spaces, and security cameras; provide hygiene items; assist with laundry; oversee phones & computers; respond to requests within a reasonable timeframe.
• Administrative duties: Answer the phone; organize and distribute mail; complete bed assignments; keep accurate logs of visitors; complete shift and incident reports; submit work orders; maintain program related data. 
• Volunteer collaboration: Welcome volunteers to the program; share information about services; provide guidance as needed; request that they sign in/out
• Prepare meals: Cook, serve meals, and unload food deliveries. Meal preparation may be daily depending on shift.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment: Wash dishes, clean beds, clean program spaces, take out trash, etc. Staff may come into contact with hazardous materials upon occasion including bodily fluids, spoiled food, etc. Staff are provided with PPE and required to wear it while addressing such issues. 
• Respond to crises and emergency situations: Call the appropriate services (e.g. mental health crisis line, police, fire department, paramedics). Convey accurate information to the appropriate authorities and contact appropriate staff. 
• Assist clients and staff in nearby locations: Assist clients with lockouts. Remain in regular communication with Staff working at nearby location(s) and respond to requests for assistance.

Other

• Review email correspondence regularly to remain aware of all recent activity and announcements. Respond promptly to email correspondence as needed.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, supervisory meetings, and Sarah’s Circle events as instructed by supervisor.  
• Perform other duties, as assigned by supervisor

Competencies

• Dependability: able to work independently, submits accurate documentation, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Teamwork: establishes collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers, provides leadership when appropriate
• Receptive: accepts feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly (written and verbally), seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keeps sensitive information confidential and adheres to personnel policies
• Initiative: brings questions to supervisor and seeks opportunities for further development

Qualifications

• High school diploma (or equivalent) required. Higher education degree in psychology, social work, or related social service field a plus.
• Prior frontline service experience required, ideally in a social services setting 
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, a history of trauma, and/or mental illness highly preferred
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to maintain clear professional boundaries
• Able to react quickly and demonstrate good judgment in emergencies or stressful situations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
• Crisis intervention training a plus

Additional Requirements 

• Must identify as female, due to the nature of the role and associated job duties 
• Required to obtain Food Handler certificate within 30 days of hire
• Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling materials
• Physical ability to lift approximately 35lbs, sit, stand, bend, reach, and perform cleaning duties
• Ability to travel between multiple buildings within a few block radius
• Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through administrative updates compliant with federal law

Limited benefits: Holiday pay at 2x rate, limited paid time off and sick time, 401(k) with 6% match.