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Shelter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Salvation Army

Shelter Monitor

Quincy, IL · On-site

$17/hr

The Salvation Army Emergency Shelter is seeking Shelter Monitors to help provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. This role is ...

CITY RESCUE MISSION INC

Shelter Advocate

Oklahoma City, OK

$15.75 - $19.50/hr

The Shelter Advocate is a direct care team member who helps set a compassionate and respectful tone for our housing-focused shelter serving men, women, and children. This position plays a key role in ...

Safe Harbor

Part-time Shelter Advocate

Greenville, SC

$15 - $18.50/hr

As a part of Safe Harbor's Shelter Team, this position will work to strengthen service delivery and maintain the operation of the shelter program. As its primary function, the Shelter Advocate will ...

Safe Harbor

Part-time Shelter Advocate

Greenville, SC · On-site

$16.35/hr

As a part of Safe Harbor's Shelter Team, this position will work to strengthen service delivery and maintain the operation of the shelter program. As its primary function, the Shelter Advocate will ...

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How much do shelter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for shelter in the United States is $18.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a shelter worker?

Shelter workers are professionals who assist individuals and families seeking temporary housing, often due to homelessness, domestic violence, or other crises. They provide support services such as intake assessments, resource referrals, counseling, and help with daily needs like meals and hygiene. Shelter workers also ensure the safety and well-being of residents while working with other agencies to facilitate long-term solutions for their clients. Their role is crucial in helping vulnerable populations regain stability and independence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a shelter manager?

To thrive as a Shelter Manager, you need experience in social services or non-profit work, strong organizational skills, and often a relevant degree such as in social work or human services. Familiarity with case management software, crisis intervention protocols, and compliance with local safety regulations is typically required. Compassion, effective communication, and leadership are crucial soft skills for managing staff, supporting residents, and resolving conflicts. These skills ensure the shelter runs efficiently, residents receive appropriate support, and safety and compliance standards are met.

What are some of the typical challenges faced by staff working in a homeless shelter, and how can they prepare for them?

Staff working in homeless shelters often encounter challenges such as managing high-stress situations, supporting clients with diverse and complex needs, and responding to crises or conflicts. Being adaptable, maintaining strong communication skills, and prioritizing self-care are essential for success in this environment. Additionally, shelter employees frequently collaborate with social workers, healthcare professionals, and other community organizations to provide comprehensive support to clients. Preparing through training in de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care can help staff navigate these demands effectively.

What is the difference between Shelter vs Case Manager?

AspectShelterCase Manager
Required CredentialsVaries; often high school diploma or equivalent, some certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; often additional certifications in social work or counseling
Work EnvironmentHomeless shelters, emergency housing facilitiesCommunity agencies, social service offices, client homes
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, sheltersSocial service organizations, nonprofits, government programs
Primary FocusProviding immediate shelter and safetySupporting clients' long-term stability and resource access

While both Shelter and Case Manager roles are vital in social services, shelters focus on providing immediate housing and safety, whereas case managers work on long-term client support and resource coordination. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in social services.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Shelter jobs?

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What states have the most Shelter jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Shelter jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Shelter jobs are:

Shelter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Shelter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,984 per year, or $18.7 per hour.

Shelter Worker - Standby

Agate Housing and Services

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

$20 - $21.50/hr

Other

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Agate is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We provide emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply (anyone who has not received services from Agate within the last two years is welcome to apply). We believe that housing is a basic human right.
Our Values:
  • Integrity: Always doing what's right, even when it's not easy or popular.
  • Equity: Challenging unfair systems and making changes that better support those most affected by homelessness and hunger.
  • Humanity: Recognizing how these issues affect everyone, building trust, and forming strong relationships by understanding people's needs.
  • Creativity: Finding new and original ways to meet the community's needs.

Position Overview:
The Outreach and Shelter Department serves single adults through our emergency response programs. Our programs include Shelter, Street Outreach, and the Welcome Center. Through these programs, we often encounter individuals along the broad spectrum of homelessness from recently homeless to chronically homeless individuals. The goal in each of these programs is to build rapport and assist in connecting individuals to stabilize their housing and achieving self-sufficiency.
The Shelter Advocate is a member of a team responsible for daily operations at either of Agate's two housing-focused shelter program sites. One shelter is in downtown Minneapolis and primarily serves single adults experiencing homelessness, with a focus on partnered adults of all genders. The other shelter is an innovative new building in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis that serves single adults based on community needs.
The Shelter Advocate works closely with other employees in a team atmosphere to ensure consistent, affirming, safe operation of the shelter for all guests and volunteers. Primary responsibilities include answering phones, letting clients in and out, performing intakes for shelter guests, monitoring guest behavior, cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, meal service, administrative work, documentation, and data entry. As part of our housing-focused program, the Shelter Advocate also provides core services to shelter guests, including offering information, making referrals, and assisting with paperwork or services navigation. Additional responsibilities include regularly attending staff meetings, keeping rosters updated using HMIS, and representing Agate's shelters at community meetings and trainings.
This is a very active position that requires employees to complete physical tasks throughout the shift and remain awake at all times. This position is on standby 2-3 nights per week. They will punch in on their phone at 9:15 pm and remain punched in until 10:45 pm. If a staff member calls off or does not show up, the standby is required to come into one of the shelters and work until either 7:30am or 8:30 am. If the standby worker does not come in for a shift, they are on standby for it will result in termination. Standby employees should not accept shifts that they are unable to come in to work for the full overnight shift. The status for this position is on-call but could become part-time or full-time depending on the number of shifts picked up per week.
Position Responsibilities:
  • General Responsibilities & Safety
  • Ensure the shelter operates safely for all guests, staff, and volunteers.
  • Build and maintain professional rapport with guests.
  • Enforce shelter policy in a consistent, fair manner with a positive and respectful demeanor.
  • Answer and direct calls to the shelter and monitor entrances to allow guests to access the shelter.
  • Make regular rounds inside the shelter to ensure guest safety and maintain a calm and peaceful atmosphere for sleeping guests; call emergency services when appropriate and manage guest behavior throughout the shift.
  • Use de-escalation and crisis response skills to address behavior issues or conflicts, always maintaining professional boundaries.
  • Monitor and review security camera footage throughout the shift; document and report incidents accurately.
  • Work collaboratively with program staff, property management, and facilities teams to support overall site operations.

Operational Duties & Hospitality
  • Serve as the first point of contact for guests, staff, and visitors-offering a warm, professional, and trauma-informed welcome.
  • Respond to voicemails, emails, and other communications promptly.
  • Ensure daily program routines and procedures, including meal service, occur at scheduled times.
  • Perform cleaning and light maintenance tasks as needed and appropriate. Make sure the office and program spaces are kept tidy. Do laundry throughout the shift.
  • Support food service, including putting meals out, coordinating the delivery of meals, and supporting volunteers who come onsite to provide food or meals.
  • Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with guests and colleagues.
  • Conduct shelter guest intakes, upon request.
  • Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with guests and colleagues.

Administrative Duties & Documentation
  • Facilitate collection and maintenance of required daily shelter documentation including intakes, bed assignments, data collection and input into online databases and logbook entries.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues with office equipment and phones and reach out to Admin for assistance as needed.
  • Actively participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and supervisory one-to-one meetings.
  • Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.
  • Other job duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
  • Have experience with Microsoft Office products
  • must possess a personal mobile phone with an active data plan sufficient to download required applications and reliably respond to on-call shifts.
  • Pass background check.
  • Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.
  • Work respectfully with guests, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
  • The ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through the use of trauma-informed care, client-centered care, and strength-based approaches.
  • Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:
  • Commitment to Agate's values and mission to end homelessness.
  • Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture within Agate and the community.
  • Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
  • Understand that homelessness is primarily the result of policy decisions beyond the control of the people we serve.
  • Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with Coordinated Entry Systems.
  • Experience with HMIS.
  • Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals we serve (Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, Somali, Amharic).
  • Experience working in settings with all genders.

  • We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. However, those that have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years are ineligible for employment.

This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications required for the position. The organization reserves the right to modify, add, or remove job duties as business needs to evolve.
This document does not constitute an employment contract and should not be interpreted as creating contractual obligations of any kind. Employment with Agate Housing and Services is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the employer may terminate employment at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable Minnesota state laws.

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