Youth Shelter Support Staff - Part Time

VOA Spokane | Crosswalk Youth Shelter | Spokane, WA 

“Every young person deserves safety, dignity, and someone in their corner.” 

At VOA Spokane, we walk alongside youth facing extraordinary barriers—homelessness, trauma, substance use, family instability, and mental health challenges—with compassion, consistency, and deep respect. 

We are currently hiring Part-Time Shelter Support Staff to join Crosswalk; Spokane’s only licensed youth shelter is open 365 days a year for young people ages 13–17. Beginning September 2025, this work will move into a brand-new, trauma-informed shelter and community space next to Spokane Community College—designed to provide healing and hope from the inside out. 

This is more than a job—it’s a calling to support the most resilient members of our community as they navigate some of life’s hardest moments. 

 Position Overview: As a Shelter Support Staff member, you'll do more than monitor a space—you'll be a consistent presence, a voice of calm, and a connector to resources. You'll work with youth from all walks of life who have been forced to grow up fast, offering them the things they may need most: safety, belonging, and someone who cares. This is a role for someone who believes change starts with relationships. If you're ready to support youth through the lens of equity, behavioral health, and radical acceptance, you belong here. Schedule: 

• Primary Shift: Wednesday through Sunday, overnight (9:00 PM – 9:00 AM) 
• Some flexibility is required for coverage, holidays, or special needs 
• Must remain awake and alert throughout the entire overnight shift 

What You'll Do: 

• Welcome youth into the shelter with empathy, non-judgment, and structure 
• Respond to crises with compassion and clear, safe boundaries 
• Conduct intakes, maintain documentation, and support case management efforts 
• Offer hygiene supplies, meals, and comfort to youth experiencing acute stress 
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and trauma-informed space 
• Answer phones, complete reports, and refer youth to outside agencies as needed 
• Participate in informal mentoring moments, group activities, and recreational support 
• Communicate with law enforcement, caregivers, or child welfare as appropriate 
• Serve as a mandatory reporter and uphold youth safety protocols 

Who You Are: 

• Committed to treating every youth with dignity, compassion, and equity 
• Able to maintain calm and clear boundaries in high-stress moments 
• Comfortable working independently on overnight shifts 
• A strong communicator who values community and collaboration 
• Someone who shows up consistently—for youth, for coworkers, and the mission 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• High School Diploma or GED/HSEC 
• At least 21 years old (per DCYF licensing) 
• 1 year working directly with youth reflected in your application/resume
• Valid Driver’s License 
• TB Test clearance (or recent negative result) 
• Ability to pass DCYF background check 
• Willing to obtain required certifications upon hire (CPR/First Aid, BBP, Food Handler) 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with high-risk, unhoused, or system-involved youth 
• Understanding of trauma-informed or behavioral health practices 
• Self-motivated and confident working independently during overnight hours