Careers

You go to work every day.

Make the commute, clock in, do your job, clock out, and head home.

What if what happened in the middle changed everything?

At Shelter House, your work saves lives. Not just sometimes: every single day. Whether you help provide emergency shelter, support your colleagues with daily operations, assist shelter guests with finding and financing an apartment when they leave shelter, help clients find jobs, or provide support to individuals who left the streets after experiencing chronic homelessness and are now tenants in a supported apartment, your work advances the lives of people in crisis.

Commute to work. Change lives. Head home.

That’s the job. Join us.


[Temporary] Winter Shelter Coordinator

Job Type
Full-time, Part-time
Description

You are the first person guests, clients, and tenants see when they enter one of Shelter House’s buildings. Coordinators maintain a safe and trauma-informed environment, and they connect people to the help they need, troubleshooting when folks need assistance with appointments, donation requests, and anything else that might come up.

Key Qualities:

  • Commitment. You believe in Shelter House’s mission to prevent and end homelessness in our community and are drawn not just to the work described in this posting, but to the fact that it is here.
  • Curiosity. You have a habit of asking “why” or “how,” which leads you to have excellent analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
  • Organization. You know what needs to be done when, and you have methods in place to ensure you make that happen.
  • Communication. When you write or speak, folks know exactly what you are saying, and the tone is appropriate to the audience.
  • Detailed. Your record-keeping is accurate and complete.
  • Consensus-building. You have excellent interpersonal skills and can both mediate misunderstanding and negotiate to resolve conflict.
  • Flexibility. You can adapt to the needs of the organization, its employees, and its clients.
  • Patience. You can work with a diverse array of individuals in crisis and seek to de-escalate situations.
  • Awareness. You are alert, focused, and tuned into the work environment.
  • Judgement. You model sound decision-making and respond in rapidly changing situations. You take action and involve coworkers and management when necessary, and first responders when warranted.
  • Humility. You understand that no necessary task is beneath any of us when it will advance the mission.
  • Cooperation. You work well with members of your team and with folks in other departments.
  • Growth-minded. You know and embrace that there is always more to learn and do.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Always maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
  • Tolerate unruly client behavior while continuing to provide essential services to those in need.
  • Ensure a trauma-informed workplace is achieved and maintained by demonstrating a balance of kindness, competence, and care towards self, others with whom we work, and those for whom we provide care.
  • Responsible for enforcing building scheduled to include the safety and supervision of individuals, property, meals, and volunteers.
  • Staff the front desk, answer phone calls, and monitor security cameras and doors.
  • Ability to supervise clients and guests with dignity and mutual respect at all times.
  • Provide resource information or triage questions for individuals and families we serve and to those who call to apply or ask for information.
  • Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation for conflict that may arise until resolved or a supervisor or Behavioral Health Coordinator can respond.
  • Respond to emergencies, follow building/staff safety and emergency procedures, and call 911 when appropriate.
  • Monitor visitors to the property and check-in/out visitors. Ensure visitors follow building rules and policies and remove unauthorized persons.
  • Support and assist individuals with their needs as they arise (questions, concerns, hygiene, supplies, mail, cleaning supplies, bedding, food, and more).
  • Ability to handle communications with the public, donors, and volunteers via phone or in-person.
  • Provide clear and accurate information to clients, guests, and the public.
  • Walk the exterior grounds and interior property regularly during shifts.
  • Complete all client intakes, including relevant background checks (sex offender registry), and exit process.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Record client interactions and building activities at least once per shift and complete proper documentation.
  • Maintain sanitary conditions in all dormitory/guest sleeping areas, common areas, and exterior.
  • Perform laundry duties for the facility.
  • Perform basic maintenance/custodial duties (plunging toilets, turning off water) as needed and report any major maintenance issues to your supervisor.
  • Maintain order in the lobby/dining area during food services by coordinating logistics with the Kitchen Manager – if applicable.
  • Provide shadowing opportunities for new team members when assigned.
  • Manage your time to focus on the most urgent and most important tasks.
  • Answer emails before leaving each day.
  • Confirm your time sheets each pay period.
  • Attend meetings and training opportunities when requested, or providing notice in advance of inability to attend meetings.
  • Assist your coworkers across departments.
  • All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization. 

Reports to: On-site Shift Supervisor

Requirements

Required Skills:

  • Ability to regulate emotions when responding to individuals in crisis.
  • Empathetic, trustworthy, honest, and a team player.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  • Ability to enter and interpret information from various databases Shelter House uses.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries while working with clients, both at and outside of work.
  • Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment while maintaining a positive solution-oriented and client-centered approach.
  • Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with the ability to diffuse situations without heightening conflict.
  • Understanding of or willingness to train in areas such as housing first, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to be compassionate and firm toward those using Shelter House services.
  • Reliable transportation to get to your designated work site.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED. At least one year of experience in the human services field.

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to walk up and down stairs.
  • Must be able to move with urgency in emergent situations.
  • Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Frequent transitions from sitting to standing and moving around.

Hours & Schedule:

We are currently hiring for: temporary full- and part-time employees*

  • 2nd Shift: 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
  • 3rd Shift: 11:59 PM – 8:00 AM

*Please note that all shifts are eight (8) hours in duration

Pay:

The expected rate of pay for this position is $17.75/hour. This role is eligible for a shift differential rate of $1.50/hour over the base rate for shifts occurring overnight. Overnight shifts occur between the hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Shelter House will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

This is a temporary position

Interviews with qualified candidates will be conducted on a rolling-basis until the position is filled. 

Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by phone and/or email. Please monitor your inbox and check your junk/spam folders regularly to ensure you don’t miss a communication from us.

Shelter House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a United Way Agency.

Salary Description
$17.75 per hour
 
Fill out your application here.

[Temporary] Behavioral Health Coordinator

Job Type
Full-time, Part-time
Description

You are the first person guests, clients, and tenants see when they enter one of Shelter House’s buildings. Behavioral Health Coordinators provide crisis intervention and de-escalation when conflict arises, and they connect people to the help they need, troubleshooting when folks need assistance connecting with case managers, collaborating with care teams, and anything else that might come up.

Key Qualities:

  • Commitment. You believe in Shelter House’s mission to prevent and end homelessness in our community and are drawn not just to the work described in this posting, but to the fact that it is here.
  • Curiosity. You have a habit of asking “why” or “how,” which leads you to have excellent analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
  • Organization. You know what needs to be done when, and you have methods in place to ensure you make that happen.
  • Communication. When you write or speak, folks know exactly what you are saying, and the tone is appropriate to the audience.
  • Detailed. Your record keeping is accurate and complete.
  • Consensus building. You have excellent interpersonal skills and can both mediate misunderstanding and negotiate to resolve conflict.
  • Flexibility. You can adapt to the needs of the organization, its employees, and its clients.
  • Patience. You can work with a diverse array of individuals in crisis and seek to de-escalate situations.
  • Awareness. You are alert, focused, and tuned into the work environment.
  • Judgment. You model sound decision-making and respond in rapidly changing situations. You take action and involve coworkers and management when necessary, and first responders when warranted.
  • Humility. You understand that no necessary task is beneath any of us when it will advance the mission.
  • Cooperation. You work well with members of your team and with folks in other departments.
  • Growth-minded. You know and embrace that there is always more to learn and do.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Ensure a trauma-informed workplace is achieved and maintained by demonstrating a balance of kindness, competence, and care toward self, others with whom we work, and those for whom we provide care.
  • Ability to supervise clients and guests with dignity and mutual respect at all times.
  • Provide one-on-one support and interventions when necessary.
  • Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation for conflict that may arise.
  • Respond to emergencies, follow building/staff safety and emergency procedures, and call 911 when appropriate.
  • Lead collaboration with Iowa City Police Department, Iowa City Fire Department, and ambulance services when on-site.
  • Support and assist individuals with their needs as they arise (questions, concerns, hygiene, supplies, mail, cleaning supplies, bedding, food and more).
  • Develop and maintain relationships with all clients and guests.
  • Assist clients in creating and implementing goals and housing stabilization plans in collaboration with the case management team.
  • Collaborate across teams to coordinate care and strategize about specific clients’ situations.
  • Complete assessments such as client safety plans, brain health, commitments, and similar.
  • Inform and advise clients and guests about agency and facility policies and procedures.
  • Provide clear and accurate information to staff, clients, guests, and the public.
  • Develop and maintains positive working relationships with community behavioral health, healthcare providers and other community systems.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Support staff at the front desk, answer phone calls, and monitor security cameras and doors when needed.
  • Record pertinent client interactions and building activities. Complete proper documentation.
  • Support staff in maintaining sanitary conditions in all dormitory areas, common areas, and exterior.
  • Always maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
  • Support other staff when crises arise.
  • Tolerate unruly client behavior and continue to provide essential services to those in need.
  • Provide resource information or triage questions, for individuals and families we serve and to those who call to apply or ask for information.
  • Ability to handle communications with the public, donors, and volunteers via phone or in person.
  • Provide shadowing opportunities for new team members when assigned.

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization. 

Reports to: Emergency Services Program Manager

Requirements

Required Skills:

  • Trustworthy, honest, and a team player.
  • Ability to actively listen.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  • Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HMIS and HR payroll system.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries while working with clients.
  • Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment while maintaining a positive solution-oriented and client-centered approach.
  • Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with the ability to diffuse situations without heightening conflict.
  • Understanding of or willingness to train in areas such as housing first, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to be compassionate and firm towards those using our services.
  • Reliable transportation to get to your designated work site.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in human services with 1 year of behavioral/mental health experience; or Associate’s degree with 3 years’ mental health / behavioral health experience.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

Current vehicle insurance and a valid Iowa state driver’s license.

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to walk up and down stairs.
  • Must be able to lift 30 pounds at times.

Hours & Schedule:

We are currently hiring for: temporary full- and part-time employees*

  • 2nd Shift: 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
  • 3rd Shift: 11:59 PM – 8:00 AM

Pay:

The expected pay rate for this position is $22.00/hour. This role is eligible for a shift differential rate of $1.50/hour over the base rate for shifts occurring overnight. Overnight shifts occur between the hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Shelter House will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

This is a temporary position

Interviews with qualified candidates will be conducted on a rolling-basis until the position is filled. 

Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by phone and/or email. Please monitor your inbox and check your junk/spam folders regularly to ensure you don’t miss a communication from us.

Shelter House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a United Way Agency.

Salary Description
$22.00 per hour
Fill out your application here.

Coordinator

Description

You are the first person guests, clients, and tenants see when they enter one of Shelter House’s buildings. Coordinators maintain a safe and trauma-informed environment, and they connect people to the help they need, troubleshooting when folks need assistance with appointments, donation requests, and anything else that might come up.

Key Qualities:

  • Commitment. You believe in Shelter House’s mission to prevent and end homelessness in our community and are drawn not just to the work described in this posting, but to the fact that it is here.
  • Curiosity. You have a habit of asking “why” or “how,” which leads you to have excellent analytical skills and problem-solving ability.
  • Organization. You know what needs to be done when, and you have methods in place to ensure you make that happen.
  • Communication. When you write or speak, folks know exactly what you’re saying, and the tone is appropriate to the audience.
  • Detailed. Your record-keeping is accurate and complete.
  • Consensus-building. You have excellent interpersonal skills and can both mediate misunderstanding and negotiate to resolve conflict.
  • Flexibility. You can adapt to the needs of the organization, its employees, and its clients.
  • Patience. You can work with a diverse array of individuals in crisis and seek to de-escalate situations.
  • Awareness. You are alert, focused, and tuned into the work environment.
  • Judgement. You model sound decision-making and respond in rapidly changing situations. You take action and involve coworkers and management when necessary, and first responders when warranted.
  • Humility. You understand that no necessary task is beneath any of us when it will advance the mission.
  • Cooperation. You work well with members of your team and with folks in other departments.
  • Growth-minded. You know and embrace that there is always more to learn and do.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Always maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
  • Tolerate unruly client behavior while continuing to provide essential services to those in need.
  • Ensure a trauma-informed workplace is achieved and maintained by demonstrating a balance of kindness, competence, and care toward self, others with whom we work, and those for whom we provide care.
  • Responsible for enforcing building schedules to include the safety and supervision of individuals, property, meals, and volunteers.
  • Staff the front desk, answer phone calls, and monitor security cameras and doors.
  • Ability to supervise clients and guests with dignity and mutual respect at all times.
  • Provide resource information or triage questions, for individuals and families we serve and to those who call to apply or ask for information.
  • Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation for conflict that may arise until resolved or a supervisor or Behavioral Health Coordinator can respond.
  • Respond to emergencies, follow building/staff safety and emergency procedures, and call 911 when appropriate.
  • Monitor visitors to the property and check-in/out visitors. Ensure visitors follow building rules and policies and remove unauthorized persons.
  • Support and assist individuals with their needs as they arise (questions, concerns, hygiene, supplies, mail, cleaning supplies, bedding, food and more).
  • Ability to handle communications with the public, donors, and volunteers via phone or in person.
  • Provide clear and accurate information to clients, guests, and the public.
  • Walk the exterior grounds and interior property regularly during shifts.
  • Complete all client intakes, including relevant background checks (sex offender registry), and exit process.
  • Maintain confidentiality.
  • Record client interactions and building activities at least once per shift and complete proper documentation.
  • Maintain sanitary conditions in all dormitory areas, common areas and exterior.
  • Perform laundry duties for the facility.
  • Perform basic maintenance/custodial duties (plunging toilets, turning off water) as needed and report any major maintenance issues to your supervisor.
  • Maintain order in the lobby/dining area during food services by coordinating logistics with the Kitchen Manager.
  • Provide shadowing opportunities for new team members when assigned.
  • Manage your time to focus on the most urgent and most important tasks
  • Answer emails before leaving each day.
  • Confirm your time sheets each pay period.
  • Attend meetings and training opportunities when requested, or providing notice in advance of inability to attend meetings.
  • Assist your coworkers across departments
  • All other duties assigned by your supervisor.

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

Reports to: Shift Supervisor

Requirements

Required Skills:

  • Ability to regulate emotions when responding to individuals in crisis.
  • Empathetic, trustworthy, honest, and a team player.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
  • Ability to enter and interpret information from various databases Shelter House uses.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries while working with clients, both at and outside of work.
  • Ability to thrive in a flexible, fast-paced, and growth-oriented environment while maintaining a positive solution-oriented and client-centered approach.
  • Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with the ability to diffuse situations without heightening conflict.
  • Understanding of or willingness to train in areas such as housing first, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to be compassionate and firm toward those using Shelter House services.
  • Reliable transportation to get to your designated work site.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED. At least one year of experience in the human services field.

Physical Requirements:

  • Must be able to walk up and down stairs.
  • Must be able to move with urgency in emergent situations.
  • Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Frequent transitions from sitting to standing and moving around.

Hours and Schedule:

We are currently hiring for: part-time (16+ hours) on weekends*

  • 1st Shift (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM) Saturday & Sunday
  • 2nd Shift (3:00 PM – 11:00 PM) Saturday & Sunday
  • 3rd Shift (11:00 PM – 7:00 AM) Saturday & Sunday

*Please note that all shifts are 8 hours in duration

Pay:

The expected rate of pay for this position is $17.75/hour. This role is eligible for a shift differential rate of $1.50/hour over the base rate for shifts occurring overnight. Overnight shifts occur between the hours of 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Shelter House will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Interviews with qualified candidates will be conducted on a rolling-basis until the position is filled. 

Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by phone and/or email. Please monitor your inbox and check your junk/spam folders regularly to ensure you don’t miss a communication from us.

Shelter House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a United Way Agency.

Salary Description
$17.75 per hour
 
Fill out your application here.

The following are Full-Time AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) positions offered at Shelter House:

Health Services Coordinator VISTA

The Health Services VISTA is intended to build capacity by developing relationships with existing community partnerships and sustaining connections with professional partners who provide primary behavioral health and health services. The VISTA will research other Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and emergency shelter health programs across the nation to build a network of agencies who can mentor our agency. Additionally, they will develop an organized system for patient access and record-keeping of health services provided. Finally, the VISTA will organize VISTA events as they arise and attend various weekly/monthly meetings with staff, community members, and clients.

Housing Stability Coordinator VISTA

The Housing Stability VISTA will design and implement a new program for Shelter House that will provide furniture and essential household items to individuals and families that have recently moved into permanent housing after experiencing homelessness. In a new collaborative effort with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, this position will design, implement, and provide oversight for the furniture distribution program. In addition, this position will develop ongoing, research-based processes to collect data and report on outcomes from programs within Shelter House; ultimately leading to future development of additional services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Volunteer Coordinator VISTA

The Volunteer Coordinator VISTA will continue to support the recruitment, development, and management of the Shelter House Volunteer Program. Responsibilities include the recruitment, orientation, and training of new volunteers to perform a host of job responsibilities within the organization, including shelter support and employment lab. Additionally, the Volunteer Coordinator VISTA will refine the documentation and reporting process for the Drop-In Center and assist with major fundraising events throughout the year. This project alleviates poverty via its components that support Shelter House’s anti-poverty work[JF1] . Shelter House almost exclusively serves individuals with extremely low incomes, earning between 0-30% of Area Median Income. The Volunteer Coordinator VISTA strengthens Shelter House’s capacity to serve neighbors experiencing housing instability and poverty by recruiting, training, and retaining dedicated volunteers. These volunteers help secure, organize, and distribute essential resources, including seasonal clothing, shoes, toiletries, and pantry items, ensuring individuals and families have access to basic necessities. The Volunteer Coordinator VISTA also supports employment resource labs for community members who have limited access to technology. Volunteers assist participants with completing job applications, accessing important employment and housing documents, and applying for benefits such as SNAP and Medicaid, helping remove barriers to employment and stability. In addition, the Volunteer Coordinator VISTA recruits and coordinates volunteers for Shelter House fundraising events. These events generate critical funding that sustains the organization’s programs, services, and resources, expanding Shelter House’s ability to support individuals and families experiencing poverty throughout the community.

Full Volunteer Assignment Descriptions (VADs) for each position above are available upon request. Please contact HR-Staff@shelterhouseiowa.org to request that information.

Requirements:

  • Proficiency in Windows-based computer environment and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Good written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team, prioritize multiple tasks, and be flexible in job duties and schedule.
  • Be 18 years of age or older (no upper age limit).
  • Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US Citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., Green Card Status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

Benefits of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program:

  • LIVING ALLOWANCE: Receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance to cover basic expenses
  • END OF SERVICE REWARD: Choose between an Education Award to pay for a range of educational expenses or a lump-sum cash stipend
  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Attend professional development opportunities and trainings
  • NON-COMPETITVE ELIGIBILITY (NCE): Quality for NCE, a unique hiring path that makes it easier for federal agencies to hire you

Please click here for specific information regarding living allowance, end of service reward, and other resources. 

 

Shelter House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a United Way Agency. Interviews with qualified candidates will occur on a rolling-basis until the positions are filled.

To apply, please submit your application here.

If you have any questions about the positions listed above, please reach out to HR-Staff@shelterhouseiowa.orgfor more information. If you have questions about AmeriCorps VISTA, please click here or visit this website to learn more: https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista/