Job Description

Shelter Monitor

At Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, your knowledge and service in areas such as immigrants and refugees, mental health, social work, employment and adult education, legal and financial services, health care, food assistance, shelter and housing, developmental disabilities and prison outreach can make a profound difference in the lives of many. Through more than 50 programs across the district and five surrounding counties, Catholic Charities is opening doors to help and hope. At CCADW, we continue to build an inclusive culture that celebrates a diverse workforce. We offer so much more than just a job. We offer careers. We take pride in our "promote from within" culture. We offer professional development, a comprehensive benefits package, a hybrid work model with both remote and in-office work, and a passion for building and motivating world class, high performing teams. Explore your career opportunity with Catholic Charities. Join us in Inspiring Hope and Building Futures.

The Shelter Monitor is essential to the daily operations, safety, and culture of the Angel's Watch shelter. This role ensures a secure, respectful, and well-functioning environment for guests experiencing homelessness. Reporting to the Shelter Program Supervisor, the Shelter Monitor oversees shift-based shelter activities, enforces program guidelines with compassion, and conducts guest intakes—including electronic bed assignments. Working from a trauma-informed, Housing First perspective, the Shelter Monitor de-escalates conflicts, follows emergency protocols, and maintains accurate logs and incident reports. This position requires professional, empathetic engagement with guests, staff, community partners, funders, and vendors to uphold a dignified shelter experience.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Shelter Operations & Safety:

• Monitor daily shelter activities, to include monitoring CCTV, to ensure safety, security, and adherence to program rules.
• Conduct hourly facility wellness checks (interior/exterior) to identify hazards, maintenance needs, or security concerns.
• Enforce shelter guidelines consistently and respectfully, addressing violations with de-escalation and restorative approaches when possible.
• Respond promptly to emergencies, including medical incidents, fires, weather events, or behavioral crises, following established protocols.
• Assist as required with preparing and distributing meals.

Intake & Bed Management:

• Complete guest intakes, including verification of eligibility, documentation, and electronic bed assignments.
• Maintain accurate, real-time records of bed occupancy and availability.
• Orient new guests to shelter rules, services, expectations, and guests' rights.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Maintain detailed shift logs, including notable incidents, guest concerns, and facility issues.
• Submit timely, objective incident reports to supervisory staff.
• Communicate critical information during shift handoffs to ensure continuity of care.

Guest Support & Trauma-Informed Care:

• Foster a welcoming, low-barrier environment aligned with Housing First principles.
• Use trauma-informed communication to de-escalate conflicts and support guests in crisis.
• Connect guests with internal services (case management, benefits, housing navigation) as directed.
• Treat all guests with dignity, respect, and cultural humility.

Collaboration & Professional Conduct:

• Work collaboratively with shelter staff, security (if applicable), and community first responders.
• Interact professionally with funders, vendors, and external partners during site visits or service delivery.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Six months experience in the human service or customer service field, preferably with persons who are homeless.
• Basic computer skills in MS Office Software, web browsing, and navigation of MS Windows platform; or a willingness to be trained on developing computer skills.

Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to motivate and engage clients residing in the facility. Ability to identify problems that are not easily defined and resolve them before the problem escalates.

Work Schedule: Friday - Sunday, 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM

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