Full-Time Shelter Counselor

Hours:  8pm to 8:30am– three shifts per week, plus 1-3 meetings per week (37.5-40-hour work week)

New Horizons is looking for a full-time Shelter Counselor to engage with young people experiencing homelessness between the ages of 18 and 25.   

Shelter counselors lead the nightly operations of the Nest on 3rd. This is an excellent job for someone who has a passion for providing direct service to young adults experiencing homelessness, and must be reliable, safe, patient, and resourceful. Full–time shelter counselors play the important role of providing consistency and predictability of presence for those who stay at New Horizons. The Shelter Counselor engages with young people across the spectrum of religious and spiritual beliefs, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation and gender. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Shelter operations 

• Prepare shelter for opening at 9 pm
• Engage in nightly pre-brief huddle with other shelter staff 
• Welcome shelter guests inside, manage waitlist/roster, conduct new intakes as needed 
• Prep and/or serve meals as needed 
• Oversee chores, laundry, shower access, and lockers 
• Enforce shelter expectations throughout the night, de-escalate conflicts, and respond to emergencies according to policies/protocols 
• Close shelter, exit guests, and ensure space is clean and ready for the next programs 
• Conduct shift debrief 

Administrative duties 

• Enter and manage data in HMIS 
• Conduct program intakes and make referrals as needed 
• Complete nightly communication logs, notes, and reports  

Safety 

• Enforce all shelter expectations; administer consequences (bars) as necessary 
• Remain alert and active throughout the shift – provide presence, reassurance, and support to guests 
• Ensure all policies and protocols related to safety are enforced consistently 
• Ensure timely communication (in person and by email, text, and or/phone) with team members, shelter coordinator, manager, and director as needed 

• Stay up to date with new policies, procedures, equipment, and systems 
• Attend weekly Direct Service Team meetings, as assigned 

Other duties 

• Attend regular staff meetings and trainings 
• Provide staff coverage to Nest on 3rd shelter at New Horizons, as assigned

• Support special events 
• Support the overall goals and mission of the Direct Service department, shelter program, and organization 
• Other duties as assigned 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Min 1 year experience working with young adults in social services/education setting 
• Demonstrated experience with teamwork, and a willingness to engage in collaborative problem solving 
• Proficient within the PC environment including Word, Excel, and Outlook 
• Ability to reliably work three regular overnight shifts (8pm – 8:30am) per week  

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Experience with overnight/shelter/residential programs 
• Understanding of Trauma Informed Care 

Wage: $23 per hour plus benefits   

Benefits include: 

• 25 Paid Time Off (PTO) days per year (prorated from first day of employment)
• Six (6) paid holidays each year – New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• Access to a 403(b)-retirement plan with a 2% employer match after 250 hours of employment
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Commuter Assistance Program
• New Horizons’ paid medical, dental, vision plan premiums (if selecting employee-only plan, $0 paycheck deduction)

New Horizons is an equal opportunity employer and qualified applicants from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply, especially people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with lived experience.