PRN Reservist - Cold Weather Shelter

JOB PURPOSE:

The PRN Reservist Cold Weather Shelter Staff provides direct operational support during City of Austin cold weather shelter activations during emergency cold weather activations. The program is generally activated when forecasted overnight temperatures are 35F or below, as determined by the City. This position requires flexibility to respond to activations with limited advance notice, including overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Staff assist with individuals and family's participant registration, shelter operations, basic needs, safety monitoring, cleaning and sanitation, documentation, and shelter setup and demobilization at City-designated locations. Staff are responsible for maintaining a safe, clean, welcoming, and respectful environment for individuals during cold weather emergencies. This is a frontline, participant-facing position supporting overnight and 24-hour activations.

• Assist with participant registration, check-in, basic information collection, shelter assignments, and accurate records, following program procedures.
• Welcome participants using a respectful, trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach; explain shelter rules and available services.
• Support participant movement between embarkation, transportation pickup areas, and shelter facilities; coordinate needs with supervisors and transportation personnel.
• Assist with sleeping-area setup, mat and blanket distribution, meal and snack service, hygiene supplies, clothing, and other essential items.
• Monitor assigned areas for safety, accessibility, cleanliness, and participant needs; promptly report hazards, concerns, and incidents to supervisory staff and security as appropriate.
• Use verbal de-escalation and established protocols to address conflicts; do not perform law-enforcement or security functions.
• Provide reasonable assistance to participants with disabilities and communicate accommodation needs to leadership.
• Help coordinate appropriate referrals for families with minor children, unaccompanied youth, and participants requesting specialized services, under supervisor direction.
• Coordinate with the assigned Community Resource Navigator to connect participants with available services.
• Complete shift logs, attendance counts, incident reports, and other required documentation accurately and on time; protect confidential participant information.
• Offer participants the required satisfaction survey at exit and explain how to provide feedback without influencing their responses.
• Perform routine cleaning and housekeeping throughout assigned shelter and embarkation locations, including common areas, sleeping areas, tables, floors, and restrooms. Promptly clean up spills, remove trash, replenish restroom and hygiene supplies, and address other sanitation needs to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment.
• Follow approved cleaning procedures, use required personal protective equipment, and promptly report hazardous spills or conditions requiring specialized cleanup.
• Attend required orientation, safety briefings, and training; follow City and Endeavors policies and emergency instructions.
• Perform other duties as directed and assigned.
• Demonstrate Exceptional customer service, in Everything you do, by placing the child, family, Veteran or client first to support our mission to "Empower people to build better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities."

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED required.

EXPERIENCE: Experience working with vulnerable populations including individuals with disabilities, seniors, children, or individuals experiencing homelessness, in shelter operations, social services, community outreach, customer service, emergency response, or other public-facing work preferred.

ATTENDANCE: Must maintain reliable attendance for accepted assignments and comply with activation reporting and shift requirements.

LICENSES: A valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and access to transportation may be required for certain assignments; routine participant driving is not an essential function of this general staff role.

OTHER: Must be able to report to assigned City locations with limited notice and work overnight, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts when available and scheduled.

Endeavors has a longstanding practice of providing a work environment that is free from all forms of employment discrimination, including harassment, because of race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We recruit, hire, employ, train, promote, and compensate individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

Endeavors also provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about accommodation, or need assistance with completing the application process, please email hr@endeavors.org or speak with your recruiter.

Endeavors is dedicated to offering reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability and need help submitting your application online, please reach out to us at hr@endeavors.org. If you are chosen for an interview, we will provide further details on how to request accommodations for the interview process.