Shelter Coordinator

THE REFUGE OF OTSEGO COUNTY

PART-TIME SHELTER COORDINATOR 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Overview:  To provide direct services to homeless individuals in Otsego County to help them end their immediate homelessness. Must have a passion for helping people and also available to attend regular monthly board meetings with Board of Directors for status reports.

Agency Description:  The Refuge in Otsego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization recognized as tax exempt by the IRS.  The mission of The Refuge is to provide emergency shelter and support to homeless individuals in Otsego County from October 1 to June 1.  Ending its 12th shelter season, The Refuge provides shelter to literally homeless households by using local hotels facilities, providing clients with referral services to various local community resources, and supporting clients short term as they seek more permanent housing.  During the last shelter season (2023-24), The Refuge sheltered more than 235 adults and children for more than 1400 nights of stay.  The Refuge is governed by a Board of Directors. Its office is located at the Otsego County United Way building, 116 E. Fifth St., Gaylord, MI.

Daily Job Activities:  The successful candidate will: work independently to staff an office at the Otsego County United Way for at least 4 hours per day Monday – Friday; interview potential clients for program assistance; determine eligibility for participation in the program; work with other community human service type agencies on behalf of clients to support their taking full advantage of local social and economic services available; establish a “Moving Forward Plan” with each client to evaluate and confront their challenges to regaining more permanent shelter; communicate with clients to make sure all aspects of the Moving Forward Plan are met, engage local hotels to provide rooms on client’s behalf; and assist clients in finding more permanent housing and other services.  The successful candidate is required to report to and submit reports monthly to the Board of Directors. And attend monthly Board Meetings to provide updates.

Skills Required:  Ability to: listen thoughtfully; comfortably communicate one on one with individuals/families in distress; maintain active on-going relationships with clients, hotel management, and Refuge Board representative with oversight responsibilities.  Work ethic must include good organizational skills, ability to remain non-judgmental, a commitment to compassionately deliver quality services while exercising good, common sense.

Education Required:  High School or equivalent preferred. 

Experience Required: active participation in human service type setting or equivalent preferred; demonstrated ability to communicate with others in a positive and clear manner and an ability to manage the day to day activities independently are required.

Length of Commitment:  October 1, 2025 to June 1, 2026. And ongoing.

Compensation: $20 per hour paid bi-weekly. 

*Steps to apply*: Please follow the following link; Applicant must summit Resume and Cover Letter, Interviewing will start in the upcoming weeks. Once applicant is selected we will discuss next steps at interview. Any questions please reach out to our Board President Matt McCormick at the contact info listed. 

https://www.jotform.com/form/250497592434162