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 response to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since its inception, the organization has adapted and grown to meet community needs while working in partnership with government agencies, private organizations, and community members.

Today, Shelter House is a respected organization with over 200 employees dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence. In the last year, our compassionate team made a meaningful difference in the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of whom were children. Our culture is rooted in 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, and trauma-informed assistance to adults seeking cold-weather shelter.

The Coordinator helps maintain a safe, supportive, and low-barrier environment while collaborating with program leadership to address participants' immediate needs and connect them with available resources and services.

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 promptly communicate concerns to program leadership.
• Coordinate access to meals, hygiene supplies, sleeping accommodations, and other essential resources.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe shelter environment, including completing shift opening, closing, and handoff responsibilities.
• Apply trauma-informed care, Housing First, and low-barrier principles while utilizing verbal de-escalation techniques and seeking assistance during crises or conflicts.
• Follow established emergency, severe-weather, confidentiality, mandated-reporting, and incident-response procedures, promptly reporting urgent concerns.
• Complete accurate and timely shift notes, incident reports, and participant records in accordance with Shelter House policies and procedures.
• Communicate relevant updates to 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

• Previous experience in shelter operations, human services, customer service, or other direct-support roles preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to treat individuals experiencing homelessness with dignity, respect, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong interpersonal communication, teamwork, reliability, and conflict de-escalation skills.
• Ability to follow safety procedures, maintain confidentiality, accurately document activities, and respond calmly and effectively to changing situations.
• Basic computer proficiency 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.
• Familiarity 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: 

• 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.