Part Time Program Assistant at Jan & Peter's
ABOUT THE POSITION: The Program Assistant observes, records, and responds as needed to the comings and goings of guests/residents/participants and staff, and maintains a safe and comfortable environment, to respond to issues as appropriate. They serve as a member of the program services team; they support and work with them to serve the community by providing trauma-informed assistance. This is a unionized position, represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).
ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Jan & Peter’s Place Women’s Shelter provides a safe and warm place to sleep each night for 40 female-identifying guests experiencing homelessness. Guests are served dinner and breakfast at the shelter and have access to case management and support services.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing housing instability in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. Compass offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person that we serve. We consider the diversity of the staff, guests, residents, and community partners to be an important asset. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization. Compass Housing Alliance is a division of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) as of January 1, 2026. After years of affiliation and partnership, Compass and LCSNW are joined together as one organization aligned in our shared values: compassion, love, health, justice, and hope. By combining LCSNW’s network of health and human services and Compass’s expertise in affordable housing and emergency services, we can provide holistic support to the communities we serve.
LOCATION: North Beacon Hill Neighborhood (Seattle, WA)
REPORTS TO: Shift Supervisor & Program Manager
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SCHEDULE: Saturday & Sunday 7:30am-3:30pm and monthly staff meeting on Tuesdays 3-5pm
MEAL PERIOD: Paid (30-minutes)
SALARY RANGE: $25.24 per hour (Level 1*)
*Step 2 increase of 2.5% after 12 consecutive months of employment
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for participants from diverse backgrounds and identities.
Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and stabilization skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and services for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Manage difficult interpersonal situations effectively and know when to seek out support from your manager when needed.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and crisis situations.
Ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.
Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.
Follow sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence.
Relate openly and comfortably with people from all backgrounds while valuing different points of views.
Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.
Work independently and as part of a team, particularly to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions.
Strong problem-solving skills are required to be successful in this role.
Aptitude for learning new technology skills with Microsoft products and other internet-based software.
Ability to learn new functions on office equipment and devices (printer, scanner, projector, mailing machine, copier).
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE
At least 1 year of experience in a social/human service setting, preferred.
Awareness and/or training around belonging, compassion, and meeting people where they are, preferred.
Familiarity with topics of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, preferred.
Experience working in an environment where language may be a barrier, preferred.
Current WA State Food Handlers Permit, preferred (If not current, will be sponsored within 1-month of hire).
Work experience is a key factor for success in this role. In addition, success in this role requires a passion for knowledge and drive for continuing professional development or education. A degree in a related field would be a complement to the required experience.
WORK
ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is normal. Compass programs are housed within a human services environment in the Greater Seattle area. Our diverse client/guest/resident community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our community includes individuals who are physically and/or mentally disabled, persons living with AIDS, those who struggle with chemical dependencies, veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at Compass will mean that you will be near the people we serve.
Employees can reasonably be anticipated to come in contact with hazardous chemicals, bloodborne pathogens (BBP), and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) which require following basic safety precautions. Regular training will be provided by Compass that covers all elements of the occupational exposures, such as BBP, OPIM, and hazardous chemicals, expected to be found in the work environment.
This position is not eligible for remote work; it requires onsite work only.
Compass facilities are monitored with camera surveillance equipment for safety and security purposes. The cameras will generally be utilized only in public areas where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, please be aware that in our housing facilities, some guests/residents/participants may choose to utilize their own private surveillance equipment within their units.
EQUAL
OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Compass Housing Alliance maintains practices and policies that eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity and strives to ensure that applicants and employees are treated without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, gender identity, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, political ideology, sensory, physical or mental disability, caste status, the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability and all other groups protected by law. Compass’s policies and practices are intended to promote equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment, such as recruitment, selection, compensation, hours of work, work schedules, benefits, training, retention, promotions, demotions, transfers, advertising, layoff, and termination. All employees of the agency are required to comply with the provisions of these policies. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.