Assistant Shelter Manager - Community Assistance Network

Community Assistance Network, Inc. (CAN) was founded in Baltimore County, Maryland in 1965 to eliminate the root causes and consequences of poverty. We presently serve clients in Baltimore County and surrounding jurisdictions and manage multiple programs providing a variety of services. CAN also operates two of Baltimore County's largest homeless shelters: The Eastside Family Emergency Shelter, located in Rosedale, and the Westside Men's Emergency Shelter, located in Catonsville.

CAN’s mission is to work in partnership with the community to develop, operate, and support programs that reduce vulnerability and promote personal growth, dignity, stability, and self-sufficiency among people in Baltimore County experiencing economic challenges.

Position overview

The Assistant Shelter Manager supports the Shelter Manager in ensuring the Shelter Mission, Values and Motto are optimized; ensuring smooth shelter operations by assisting with day-to-day operations including the Triage Approach, managing volunteers and donations, and providing guidance to shelter staff and residents.  The Assistant Shelter Manager reports directly to the Shelter Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

Under the umbrella of CAN, the Homeless Shelter’s mission is to provide a safe, clean, and supportive community which helps stabilize homeless men, women, children, and families by promoting self-worth, providing linkages to community resources, and encouraging personal responsibility. The Assistant Shelter Manager is responsible for supporting the Shelter Manager and bringing consistency to the shelter’s day-to-day operations.

Reports to shelter manager and maintains clear communication relating to shelter operations. Participates in staff meetings with managers when needed and assist with bringing consistency and unity among shelter staff. 

Provide staff supervision by maintaining communication with immediate staff and assisting Team Leads with daily challenge; ensure the Triage Approach is operating efficiently; ensure Residents Advocates are doing their jobs in keeping the facility clean and safe and documenting all activities in the logbook.

 Maintains security of shelter residents by closely monitoring the facility and by following shelter procedures; monitoring logbook; ensuring the entrance of the shelters is staffed properly and walking through the facility checking resident rooms, bathrooms, the kitchen area and outside on a routine basis. 

Collaborate and monitor progress of all residents at shelters in accordance with the Resident Guidebook; this includes ensuring that all residents are adhering to all shelter rules and doing their chores on time; confronting behaviors and writing disciplinary action forms as necessary.

Supervise and promote a safe and healthy environment for shelter residents. Provide crisis intervention as needed; De-escalating situations and quickly resolving conflicts between residents; being sensitive to recognize symptoms of those who have severe mental health disorders and mental breakdowns.

Work with the Shelter Manager and other staff members appropriately updating and maintaining Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) entries and exits. 

Update and maintain the Shelter Resident Chore list; oversee the compliance of shelter residents completing daily chores for AM and PM and taking appropriate action as needed.

Assist the Shelter Manager in the oversight of the shelter kitchen making sure resident meals are prepared on time and in compliance with the State of Maryland regulations; and ensuring the kitchen area is properly managed and the freezers, refrigerator, pantry, and workspaces are clean and orderly.

Is this opportunity right for you? The ideal candidate will have the following personal competencies and characteristics:

Ability to display effective communication. Be approachable and engaging.

High tolerance for ambiguity, changing work priorities and deadlines, and a willingness to take on responsibilities and to prioritize own work on multiple projects.

Experience of working with homeless or at-risk populations is preferred.

Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; Strong organizational skills; Ability to work under pressure; Ability to work independently and as part of a team; Self-motivated.

Computer literacy and experience with Microsoft Office. Valid State of Maryland driver’s license and transportation required.

Requirements

Minimum: AA Degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Willing to consider management experience in lieu of a degree.

Benefits

At CAN, we believe every employee should have the resources to be their best. As part of our overall rewards, we offer benefits programs designed to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle including health, dental and vision insurance. We also offer other benefits like paid time off, financial and savings programs, 401k employer matching, and access to our employee assistance program and other discounts.