Shelter Navigator - On Call (Day, Swing, Overnight)
Locations: Shoreline, Lake City, Kenmore
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)
Employment Status: On-Call (Hours Vary)
Salary Grade: $27.00 per hour
Reports To: Shelter Supervisor/Manager
Date: July 2026
Schedule: Day, Swing, Overnight
Organization Overview
At Lake City Partners (LCP), our mission is to end homelessness by providing shelter and supportive services, so that people have increased opportunities for stabilization, recovery, and permanent housing. With multiple locations and 40 staff, we activate our mission by providing shelter, outreach, and client services in the North Seattle/King County area. We work closely with many other organizations, government agencies, and service providers.
Position Summary
Working in our Shelter Services program, Shelter Navigators report to a Shelter Supervisor/Manager working to support the day to day shelter operations and build community with those we serve. Working at a front line Day Center or a 65 bed former nursing home facility as a shelter is an amazing and rewarding experience. Our work helps people in their time of need and there are few things more rewarding than seeing the folks we serve become sheltered and housed – the Shelter Services team plays a key role in making that happen.
Navigators may work varied shifts depending on their assigned location, and on occasion they may be required to come in early or stay late and help provide coverage for part of the overnight shift if there is a staff shortage. This position includes full health/dental coverage for staff who work more than 20 hours per week.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Essential functions may vary based on location.
- Monitoring of all public spaces with a priority focus on staff safety at all times
- Communicate effectively with the rest of the team, through use of shift notes, chat, email, and verbal communication.
- Light janitorial work
- Help with hosting activities and events
- Coordinate, communicate, and support LCP policy and procedure with staff
- Food services vary by location – duties may include basic meal preparation and food services oversight and occasional meal service setup (food handlers permit required).
- Lake City Partners strives to provide a non-judgmental and encouraging space. At the same time, Shelter Services requires setting limits, monitoring when individual behaviors negatively impact the community experience, and responding appropriately.
- We seek to affirm strengths in individuals related to physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual growth.
- At our Day Center we seek to serve as a conversation partner, in a general way, and practice attentive listening with guests. At our Enhanced Shelter we engage with residents in a way that is friendly and supportive. In both locations staff must be careful to not enter into personal relationships or provide opinion, counseling, or therapy.
- Explain and hold residents/guests accountable to all rules and expectations.
- Perform duties including cleaning, sanitizing, and other regular Shelter Services tasks
- Monitor schedule for hygiene services (showers and laundry).
- Refer guests to resources and community resources available – work to encourage and support engagement with Client Services staff to support pathways to shelter and housing.
- De-escalate conflict and ensure proper reporting of serious incidents using LCP incident reporting systems.
- Maintain professional appearance, conduct, and interactions with program participants, clients, partners, and other staff at all times.
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to take on a variety of tasks.
- Support other Shelter Navigators in their tasks and activities with particular attention to the use of our internal tools, systems, practices and policies.
Competencies
The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In addition, comparable lived experience, past work, or ability to perform position requirements may be considered in lieu of education/experience requirements.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and the mission, vision, and values of the organization, advocating for the needs and rights of marginalized populations.
- Ability to offer compassionate presence to people who have experienced trauma
- Ability to be kind, calming, and helpful
- Ability to work effectively with other team members
- Willingness and desire to learn
- Key Soft Skills
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Organization & attention to detail
- Ability to balance multiple priorities
- Responsible
- Teamwork
- Problem-Solving
- Key Technical Skills
- Familiar with Google Workplace
- Ability to answer phones and use basic equipment
- Food Handlers Permit
- CPR, first aid, and Harm Reduction training is required and provided
Expectations
- Arrive when scheduled to work.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Flexibility and willingness to learn.
- Ability to be calming and helpful in difficult situations.
- Familiarity and comfort with a harm-reduction setting.
- Ability to work effectively in a stressful, high-need setting.
- Integrity and a commitment to supporting the needs and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
- Willingness to flex schedule to fulfill organizational needs.
Preferred Education and/or Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Associate's Degree (or higher) and 2 years experience in Human Services, Social Work, homelessness shelter/provider or related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Crisis management or de-escalation training and/or experience
- Familiarity with community resources for people experiencing homelessness in King County.
- Experience working directly with low-income or marginalized people
- Valid Driver’s License
Other duties as assigned
Other duties may be assigned to support program and organizational needs.
Benefits
This position includes full health/dental coverage for staff who work more than 20 hours per week, and 401(k) option after 60 days of employment.
Work environment
Our diverse client and guest community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack a family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our community includes individuals who are physically and/or mentally disabled, those who struggle with chemical dependencies (SUD), veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at LCP will mean that at times you will be in close proximity to the people we serve. The public areas of some LCP facilities are monitored with camera surveillance equipment for safety and security purposes.
Non-discrimination policy
Lake City Partners does not discriminate on the basis of class background or current income; employment status or type of employment; race; ethnicity, color, or national origin; religious background, creed, or affiliation; gender, gender expression or gender identity; sex; sexual orientation or sexual identity; age; height or weight; immigration status; past, present, or future disability, medical, or health condition; veteran or military status; relationship (marital or partnership) status; or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.
Pay: $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) 3% Match
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
