Inclement Weather Center Attendant – On Call

REPORTS TO: Inclement Weather Center Attendant – On Call  

SUPERVISES: N/A

POSITION TYPE: On-call, part-time, nonexempt

SCHEDULE: As needed, based on weather and when the center is activated due to extreme temperatures and/or smoke. No minimum hours are guaranteed. 

• GENERAL GUIDELINES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON CONTRACT TERMS): 
  • Cooling Center: The inclement weather center must open for at least eight hours per day when temperatures reach 105°F or higher for at least 2 consecutive days combined with nighttime air temperatures 75°F or higher. 
  • Clean Air Center: The inclement weather center must open for at least eleven hours per night when the Outside Air Quality Index (AQI) PM2.5 levels are 151+ (Category Red – Unhealthy for All) and suspected to be sustained for 24 hours or more. 
  • Warming Center: The inclement weather center must open for at least eleven hours per night when temperatures drop to 20°F or less, or 25°F or less with predicted precipitation of 50% or greater; typically, 8- to 10-hour overnight shifts between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.  

This position is open until filled. We accept and review applications on a rolling basis.

JOB SUMMARY: This on-call position provides operational support for Walla Walla’s Inclement Weather Center. The Center Attendant ensures safe, welcoming, and compliant center operations for individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme weather conditions. Responsibilities include supervising center activities, supervising volunteers, monitoring compliance with safety protocols, light janitorial work, managing client interactions, and maintaining accurate records. The role also includes client engagement, conflict resolution, and collaboration with community partners to ensure effective service delivery. 

The Center Attendant works evening shifts of an estimated 8-10 hours, scheduled between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. based on need. This is an on‑call, as‑needed position; work hours will vary depending on weather conditions and center activation. 

OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES: Includes, but is not limited to:

• Center Operations: 
  • Ensure center is set up and ready to operate according to BMAC policies, safety standards, and any applicable partner agreements 
  • Open and close center according to BMAC procedures; secure facility upon closing
  • Issue appropriate, respectful, and timely lights out and wake-up announcements 
  • Distribute any needed supplies according to BMAC procedures
  • Sweep, mop, wipe surfaces, take out trash, and perform other cleaning tasks as required to maintain a safe and sanitary environment throughout the shift. Use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow appropriate protocols if cleaning bodily fluids.  
  • Monitor all areas, including sleeping areas and restrooms, periodically throughout the night or cleanliness, safety, and adherence to capacity limits
  • Respond to emergencies and coordinate additional resources or support to respond to issues as needed 
  • Maintain a calm, respectful atmosphere for all clients 
     
• Client Engagement & Support: 
  • Complete center intake, as needed, including professionally and accurately documenting client information and orienting new client to center policies and procedures
  • Help create a welcoming and supportive environment for all clients 
  • Address concerns and resolve conflicts in a professional manner
  • Apply de‑escalation, crisis‑intervention, and non‑violent communication techniques to maintain a safe environment for clients, volunteers, and staff 
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients 
  • Work individually and as a member of the center team to engage in effective de-escalation in potentially dangerous situations 
  • Connect clients with additional resources and referrals when appropriate 
     
• Administrative & Reporting:
  • Maintain accurate attendance logs and incident reports; all reports should be completed and submitted by the end of each shift. 
  • Participate in team meetings and required training sessions 
     
• Performs other related duties as assigned 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

Relevant experience and/or education may be substituted for either education or work history.

• High school diploma or GED
  • Associates degree in Human Services or related field preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years' work experience; experience in social services, customer service, or client-facing roles preferred 
  • Experience working with individuals in crisis, including use of de‑escalation or crisis‑intervention techniques, strongly preferred 
  • Experience working with people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless; and/or work experience with the public in a healthcare or community/social services setting 
• Bilingual/Bicultural – English/Spanish – strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong commitment to BMAC’s mission of building thriving communities and to our values: hope, integrity, compassion, collaboration and community. 
• Must have a flexible schedule and be able to work on call and overnight.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively with diverse populations, including LGBTQ and people of color, as well as individuals impacted by poverty, food insecurity, and systemic barriers. 
• Demonstrated excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Belief that shelter is a human right and that allowing individuals to access an inclement weather center when they need it should be a top priority.  
• Ability and willingness to work effectively and professionally with clients displaying a wide range of challenging, unpleasant, and/or unusual behavior.  
• Ability to stay awake and alert throughout an overnight shift. 
• Demonstrated skills working around active substance use and acute mental health symptoms.
• Proficiency in working with computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite (spreadsheets, word processing, Teams, SharePoint) and database management systems (like Cap60). 
• Display a high level of initiative and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.  
• Demonstrated excellent time management skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision. 
• Ability to interpret program guidelines and exercise sound judgment in applying them accurately and consistently. 
• Ability to adhere to a high degree of confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for clients. 

Certifications

• CPR/First Aid Certification required, or willingness to obtain upon hire. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Close quarters, with residents that are experiencing chronic homelessness, substance use disorders, and/or severe and persistent mental illness, and/or unpredictable behavior. 
• Primarily indoor work environment with frequent interruptions and demands. 
• Exposure to trash and potential biohazards. 
• Potential exposure to traumatic events.  
• Expectation to follow emergency procedures while maintaining a calm demeanor. 
• Required to work outside of normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.  
• Ability/flexibility to accept work shifts or trade shifts with short notice (for example, same day for a call-out). 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform essential functions.

• Regularly lift and/or move 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Manual dexterity for handling personal items, food, clothing, sacks, carts and use of computers and written in-take processing. 
• Requires frequent moving/walking and standing in the center setting and outdoor spaces. 
• Driving in all weather conditions to WWHA site. 
• Maintains calm disposition when clients or others may become escala

NOTE: This is a general description of essential job functions. It is not intended as an employment contract, nor is it intended to describe all duties someone in this position may perform. All employees of BMAC are expected to perform tasks as assigned by supervisory/ management personnel, regardless of job title or routine job duties.