Bilingual Shelter Manager
REPORTS TO: Shelter and Housing Program Director
DEPARTMENT: Shelter and Housing
STATUS: Full-Time
COMPENSATION: Salaried
JOB GRADE: 4
FLSA CATEGORY: Exempt
LOP OR IC: Leader of People – fosters development, mentorship, team building, diversity, and inclusion of and among staff members.
Position Summary
The Bilingual Shelter Manager provides leadership and oversight for shelter operations, staff, volunteers, and interns, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed services for survivors. This role balances direct service as needed with operational management and collaboration to create a shelter environment based on respect, inclusivity and nonviolence. The Shelter Manager oversees the equitable distribution of shelter team member assignments and is responsible for the implementation of processes aligned with program and organizational goals. This position maintains community partnerships central to Shelter and Housing programs and supports social justice efforts that positively impact survivors and their children. The Shelter Manager serves as an at-will staff member of Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN).
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Ø Shelter Management
§ Foster trauma-informed, strengths-based services with clients and ensure discussions regarding clients are reflective of these values.
§ Ensure safety of clients, staff, and volunteers by consistently monitoring program standards, protocols and operating procedures. Ensure compliance with program and organizational policies and practices.
§ Manage scheduling to ensure appropriate 24/7 coverage at Shelter.
§ Provide leadership for high-risk cases and shelter emergencies. Participate in on-call rotation with the Director of Shelter & Housing (every other week or as needed).
§ Support Director of Shelter & Housing in overseeing shelter operations including supplies, facility maintenance, and emergency preparedness.
§ Ensure timely and accurate reporting for grants, compliance, and internal program evaluation.
§ Promote ethical communication in the Shelter environment.
Ø Team Member Coordination
§ Oversee and continually improve processes for client intake, screening, exit, documentation, and evaluation.
§ Designate regular tasks to Shelter team members, including screening schedules, hotel visits, client advocacy, room turnover, and other responsibilities. Provide direct services as needed.
§ In coordination with Director of Shelter & Housing, provide feedback and support to team members that improves service delivery, supports organizational objectives, and fosters team member growth and goals.
§ Oversee a high-functioning volunteer team with the goal of meeting client and programmatic needs, retaining volunteers, and increasing the overall capacity of the Shelter team.
§ Ensure shelter spaces remain clean and trauma-informed. Designate cleaning and organizing responsibilities to team members. Support with activities such as room turnover as needed.
§ Lead onboarding and training of staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring they are able to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services.
§ Partner with the Crisis Intervention Team to ensure crisis line coverage; designate and provide backup support as needed.
Ø Collaboration
§ Represent SPAN at community meetings related to the Shelter & Housing Program.
§ Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, with particular focus on marginalized populations.
§ Focus on violence prevention and interrupting cycles of violence by maintaining child, youth, and family programming at Shelter in partnership with other departmental staff.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
Other Duties/Responsibilities: Provide additional support as designated by the Program, Executive, or Associate Directors to further departmental and organizational goals. Lead team meetings in the absence of the Director of Shelter & Housing. SPAN retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
Supervisory Responsibilities: On-site support of Shelter & Housing team members; supervisory responsibilities for volunteers and interns.
Budgetary/Fiscal Responsibilities: Acts as a good steward of SPAN’s resources.
Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of SPAN and its clients.
Contact with Others: This position will interact with staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public.
JOB REQUIREMENTS/EXPERIENCE
Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (human services, counseling, social work or gender studies), knowledge in a related field, or a combination of education and/or experience.
Experience: Two years of progressive experience working in a shelter or crisis response environment in addition to supporting trauma survivors and marginalized individuals.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Proven written and oral communication skills. Proven computer skills including Microsoft Office are necessary. Experience with Salesforce or other databases preferred.
Knowledge of or experience working with social justice issues, specifically intimate partner, and gender-based violence, and racial, class, gender, and sexual orientation issues strongly preferred. Requires excellent organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task and changing environment, with frequent pressure related to meeting deadlines and scheduling requirements. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Must have good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.
Schedule Availability: Shelter shifts may include days, evenings or weekends, with occasional holiday coverage. The Shelter Manager is expected to primarily work evening and weekend hours (with some daytime hours) in order to meet programmatic needs and provide support to the Shelter Team.
Licences/Certifications: None.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made when requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to communicate and understand in English and Spanish effectively, in person, and in writing. Ability to hear adequately in person and by phone, in personal andgroup settings, and function with periodic distractions such as people, telephone calls, and noise.
Ability to workwith, and process information from, a variety of individuals and media (e.g., computers, projected images, printed materials), and occasional sitting and/or standing for long periods of time.
Mobility necessary to access various offices and a wide variety of settings. Mobility necessary to perform a variety of tasks that involve intermittent standing, walking/traversing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, bending, and twisting, occasionally climbing stairs or using an elevator, and possibly reaching chest high and overhead for materials.
Ability to reach for, move and/or lift up to 20 pounds and the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, including frequent repetitive movement such as extended periods of keyboarding and filing.
Job Summary
We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Bilingual Shelter Manager to lead and oversee the daily operations of a community shelter dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and other high-risk populations. In this vital role, you will coordinate staff, ensure safety protocols are followed, and foster a welcoming environment that promotes recovery, stability, and dignity. Your leadership will be instrumental in managing shelter services, supporting residents’ needs, and maintaining compliance with organizational policies and regulatory standards. This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of diverse community members while demonstrating strong supervisory and crisis management skills.
Duties
- Supervise shelter staff, including case managers, security personnel, childcare providers, and behavioral health specialists, ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Oversee intake procedures for new residents, including assessments related to behavioral health, addiction counseling, and social needs.
- Implement and monitor safety protocols such as security checks, manual handling procedures, de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention strategies to maintain a secure environment.
- Provide direct support to residents through conflict management, behavioral health support, medication administration (if applicable), and client communication.
- Coordinate with local agencies to facilitate access to healthcare services, addiction treatment programs, mental health resources, and housing opportunities.
- Maintain resident confidentiality while accurately documenting case notes, data collection entries, incident reports, and service records using Microsoft Office tools.
- Conduct regular staff training on topics such as first aid (including CPR), de-escalation techniques, cultural competency with diverse communities, and working with youth or underserved populations.
- Ensure compliance with LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) regulations and other funding requirements related to home & community care programs.
- Manage inventory of supplies including filing documents related to resident files and medication logs; oversee data entry and recordkeeping processes.
Experience
- Proven supervisory experience in shelter or social service settings supporting high-risk populations.
- Extensive experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health conditions; familiarity with addiction counseling is highly desirable.
- Strong background in conflict management, crisis intervention, behavioral health support, and de-escalation techniques.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with culturally diverse communities and underserved populations.
- Knowledge of case management practices including intake procedures, client communication strategies, and working with families or youth.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications for documentation and data collection purposes; experience with data entry and filing required.
- Certifications such as First Aid (including CPR), manual handling training, de-escalation certification, or medication administration are preferred.
- Experience working with individuals from high-risk environments or those experiencing substance use disorders is essential for success in this role.
Join us in creating a safe haven where compassion meets action! Your leadership will empower residents on their journey toward stability while fostering a supportive team environment committed to positive change. We value energetic professionals eager to make a lasting impact through dedicated service delivery!
Pay: $60,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) 2% match
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person