| Employer | Friendship House of Delaware |
|---|---|
| Location | New Castle, DE |
| Type | Full time |
| Apply by | August 1, 2025 |
| More details | https://wisc.joinhandshake.com/jobs/10001061?utm_campaign=approve_job_posting&utm_source=approve_job |
| Posted on | June 23, 2025 |
Description
About Friendship House: FH is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to unite people facing homelessness with loving, supportive communities they can call home. For more than 35 years, Friendship House has served the Delaware community with the support of volunteers, donors, community partners, and faith partners. At FH, we strive to ensure every person is ultimately connected to a loving, supportive community, and this outlook extends to our workplace.
Job Description: The Seasonal Programming and Hospitality Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the planning and activation of emergency services, weekend and overnight staff, and managing operations, logistics, and staffing of Friendship House’s seasonal programming: Code Purple (code weather overnight emergency shelter), Code Orange (hot weather daytime emergency shelter), and the Saturday Winter Programming. These initiatives provide emergency shelter, hospitality, and essential support to individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme weather conditions, while other public resources are closed. As a key position in delivering timely and effective emergency services to vulnerable individuals, it requires strong organizational, communication, and crisis management skills.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Program Activation Management:
• Monitor weather conditions and initiate activation of Code Purple and Code Orange based on weather criteria
• Coordinate with FH leadership in confirming and announcing activations through designated communication channels
• Ensure all emergency shelter sites are operational, safe, and prepared
Emergency Shelter Operations Management:
• Manage and oversee FH Seasonal Programming in New Castle County, including Wilmington, Newark, and sometimes Middletown sites.
• Oversee emergency shelter team to perform hospitality duties and responsibilities, and perform the following duties when necessary (depending on season and demand)
• Ensure all seasonal programming locations have the needed supplies
• Ensure overnight staff have enough off-time/rest before working another shift
Oversee Hospitality: at seasonal programming locations and our Wilmington Empowerment Center (WEC), with extended hours at WEC during the off-season
• Overseeing space setup, monitoring the room, and routines (i.e. meals, quiet hours, and closing time)
• Create a welcoming environment for all clients, treating them with respect, equality, and inclusivity
• Ensure guest registration and intake are completed properly
• Engage with clients to learn their names, personal stories, and emergency service needs
• Inform guests of the services offered at FH and other resources available in the community
• Maintain a calm, clean, and safe environment
• Ensure proper implementation of all program rules
• Manage crowd control, ensuring the number of clients in the facility complies with capacity requirements
• Monitor the perimeter of the building to ensure clients are using permitted areas and following established rules
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of food and beverages to guests
• Conduct thorough cleaning of the hospitality and bathroom area and ensure that supplies such as paper products are replenished as needed
• Secure the premises by ensuring doors and windows are locked as necessary
• De-escalate arguments or disagreements on-site
• Monitor the banned and suspension log to ensure that those who are temporarily or permanently suspended do not enter the premises
• Respond to crises by calling 911 when necessary, administering Narcan, and documenting all incidents and attendance to ensure transparency and accountability
• Ensure no inappropriate items are brought on-site (i.e. weapons, illegal or banned substances, etc.)
• Monitoring bathrooms are being used in accordance with rules and protocols
Staffing and Training:
• Oversee training and scheduling of additional weekend and overnight staff for FH seasonal programming with the support of FH leadership
• Provide On-call support to weekend and overnight staff when not on-site
• Ensure proper timesheet completion and submission for payment
Partner Collaboration:
• Serve as the primary liaison with faith community hosts
• Manage keys and access for rotating locations in New Castle County
Volunteer Support:
• Coordinate with FH Volunteer Coordinator to ensure the seasonal programming has the volunteer support needed
• Maintain sign-in/waiver records and provide ongoing support
• Ensure volunteers receive training in; emergency shelter expectations and rules, specific tasks (meal service, guest check-in, cleaning), professional and respectful guest interaction
Required Experience/Skills:
• Experience in program coordination and emergency shelter/hospitality services
• Excellent communication, crisis response, and organizational skills
• Ability to work variable hours, including overnight, early morning, weekends, and on-call
• Familiarity with populations experiencing homelessness and poverty
• Digital proficiency in email, spreadsheets, and CRM data entry
Nice-to-Haves: The following skills and experience are of significant benefit:
• Background in social services, case management, or related services
• Experience with community outreach and maintaining relationships with partners
• CPR/First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, and Narcan training (or willingness to obtain)
Pay & Benefits Summary:
• Salary based on experience
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401(K)
Deadline—August 1, 2025.