Title: Hypothermia Coordinator
Level: Entry
Department: Friends of Falls Church – Hypothermia Shelter
Reports to: Hypothermia Case & Program Manager
Salary Range: $20/hr
Location: Falls Church, VA (Onsite)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
About Us
Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since the organization's inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members.
Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization with over 200 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence. In the last year, our compassionate team changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of whom were children.
Our culture is built on our core values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.).
About the Role
The Hypothermia Coordinator supports the daily operations of the Friends of Falls Church Hypothermia Shelter in Falls Church, Virginia. This seasonal, onsite position provides welcoming, respectful, trauma-informed assistance to adults seeking cold-weather shelter.
The Coordinator helps maintain a safe, low-barrier environment and works closely with program leadership to address immediate needs and connect participants with available resources.
The program operates seasonally from December 1 through April 15.
Responsibilities
- Welcome shelter participants, explain shelter procedures, and provide respectful, nonjudgmental support.
- Assist with participant check-in, attendance tracking, bed assignments, and shift documentation as directed.
- Monitor shared spaces and participant well-being, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and communicate concerns to program leadership.
- Help coordinate access to meals, hygiene supplies, sleeping accommodations, and other basic necessities.
- Support a clean, organized, and safe shelter environment, including shift opening, closing, and handoff responsibilities.
- Apply trauma-informed, Housing First, and low-barrier principles while using verbal de-escalation techniques and seeking assistance during crises or conflicts.
- Follow emergency, severe-weather, confidentiality, mandated-reporting, and incident-response procedures, reporting urgent concerns promptly.
- Complete accurate and timely shift notes, incident reports, and participant records in accordance with Shelter House procedures.
- Share relevant updates with incoming staff and collaborate with case management and other team members to connect participants with available services.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by program leadership.
About You
- Experience in shelter operations, human services, customer service, or other direct-support roles preferred.
- Ability to treat individuals experiencing homelessness with dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
- Strong interpersonal communication, teamwork, reliability, and conflict de-escalation skills.
- Ability to follow safety procedures, maintain confidentiality, document activities accurately, and respond calmly to changing situations.
- Basic computer skills and willingness to learn agency documentation systems.
- Availability to work assigned onsite shifts in Falls Church, VA, from 4:00 PM–12:00 AM or 12:00 AM–8:00 AM, including scheduled weekends.
- Experience with trauma-informed care, Housing First practices, and homelessness services preferred.
Requirements
Physical Requirements
Annual TB test required.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
Ability to lift items weighing 10–20 pounds.
Benefits
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- 401K contributions with a 4% employer match
- 13 Paid Holidays, 2 Floating Holidays and the opportunity to take your Birthday Off
- Four Annual Team Building Events
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Shelter House is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. All employment-related decisions will be made and carried out without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age (over 40), sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability unrelated to the individual's ability to perform his or her job or any other legally protected status. Shelter House will also provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job, and to employees with respect to their observance of their religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Any job applicant or employee who would like or needs an accommodation may request an accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department.
Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy:
Drug-Free Workplace: Shelter House is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon compliance with our Drug-Free Workplace Policy, which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances or marijuana in the workplace. Additionally, all subcontracts and purchase orders over $10,000 must include provisions ensuring a drug-free workplace.