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Emergency Shelter Contract Worker
Company : Aspire Indiana Health
Location : Indianapolis, IN, 46205
Job Type : Contractor
Date Posted : 3 January 2026
Overview
The Emergency Shelter Contract Worker is responsible for ensuring the safety, stability, and smooth operation of the Aspire Indiana Health operated Winter Contingency Shelter sites. This is a contract role through Aspire Indiana Health and will provide direct, compassionate support to residents.
The Emergency Shelter Contract Worker’s role will be part time and based at the shelter, located at 2406 N. Tibbs Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222 (Family/Single Women’s Shelter 24/7) or 2302 W Morris St, Indianapolis, IN 46221 (weather activated men's shelter).
Duration of the Contract:
- Start Date: December 1, 2025
- End Date: March 31, 2026
- Part Time
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
I. Resident Support and Engagement
- Direct Client Support: Conduct consistent rounds and engage residents in a supportive, trauma-informed manner to build rapport and promote positive behavior.
- Resource Linkage: Assist residents in connecting with essential services, including healthcare, behavioral health providers, and social services, facilitating signed Releases of Information (ROIs) as needed.
- Policy Compliance: Gently enforce shelter policies (curfew, quiet hours, childcare, etc.), utilizing the written guidelines provided by Aspire.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with service providers, shelter staff, and community organizations to ensure coordinated care.
- Assist residents with completing intake forms, understanding shelter expectations, and available resources.
II. Safety, Security, and Operations
- Intake & Exit: Manage the resident sign-in/out process, assist with new resident intake and orientation, ensuring all required documents (Participation Agreement, Welcome Letter, Allergy Information, etc) are signed and filed.
- Safety Monitoring: Conduct regular safety and security checks of the facility and grounds, immediately reporting maintenance issues or potential hazards to the Shift Leader.
- Inventory & Logistics: Assist the Operations Associate with meal distribution, inventory of non-contracted food (breakfast/lunch items), and tracking supplies
- Data Entry: Accurately record and enter all collected resident data and complete all shift logs reports.
- Maintain regular communication with your shift leader or the site manager, keeping them informed of resident progress, challenges, and issues that may arise.
- Support the overall smooth operation of the shelter, ensuring residents’ needs are met and the environment remains conducive to their well-being.
- Contractors are expected to uphold the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality regarding shelter residents and their families. All sensitive information must be handled with care, in compliance with privacy regulations and organizational policies.
- Track hours worked, and submit invoices twice monthly (on the 5th and 20th) to the onsite shelter manager.
III. Crisis and Emergency Response
- De-escalation: Employ techniques rooted in Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing to de-escalate conflicts and manage behavioral crises among residents.
- Crisis Protocol: Follow the established Staff Emergency Protocol for all critical incidents, including reporting serious injuries, fire, police response, or mandatory reporting situations.
- Weather Activation: For the Weather-Activated Shelter, respond to activation calls with 24–72 hours' notice and report for assigned shifts promptly to assist with shelter set-up and immediate client services.
- Crisis Linkage: Facilitate contact with Aspire’s 24-hour crisis line and mobile crisis services when necessary.
Required Qualifications
- Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required. (Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field is preferred).
- Experience: Minimum of one (1) year of experience working in a shelter, social service agency, or related housing services environment. Experience working with diverse populations, including families and individuals experiencing homelessness, is essential.
- Skills: Demonstrated competency in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques. Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills and basic computer proficiency.
- Background check: Must pass a drug screen, TB test and complete a background check. Staff working at the Family Shelter will also need to be finger printed
- Contractor agrees to provide Aspire with proof of Workman’s Comp and Liability insurance prior to starting
Work Environment
The role requires the ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 25 lbs. Staff must be prepared to work overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts, and remain flexible to accommodate the fluctuating schedule of the Weather-Activated Shelter.
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Frequently asked questions
Indianapolis shows moderate demand for emergency shelter contract workers, especially during winter months. Candidates with trauma-informed care skills and shelter experience tend to stand out. Local nonprofits like Aspire Indiana Health actively recruit during seasonal surges, so timely application can improve chances amidst regional competition.
Staff at Aspire Indiana Health navigate fluctuating shelter activations, balancing client safety with policy enforcement. Handling 24/7 family shelters and weather-activated men's sites requires adaptability, strong crisis management, and collaboration across community services, ensuring residents receive trauma-informed support within dynamic environments.
Yes, applicants must pass a drug screening, TB test, and background check. Family shelter staff also undergo fingerprinting. Additionally, contractors need to provide proof of workman’s compensation and liability insurance before starting, aligning with Indiana’s regulatory and organizational standards.
Daily tasks involve resident engagement through supportive rounds, safety checks, intake and exit processing, and coordinating with social services. Workers also handle inventory tasks, document resident data meticulously, and respond to crises, requiring a blend of operational vigilance and compassionate client interaction.
Aspire Indiana Health emphasizes de-escalation techniques rooted in trauma-informed care, encouraging workers to build rapport and manage behavioral crises empathetically. This approach ensures residents feel respected and supported while maintaining shelter safety and compliance with policies.
Emergency shelter contract workers in Indianapolis typically earn between $15 to $20 per hour, depending on experience and certifications. Seasonal contract roles like this often reflect local nonprofit pay scales while offering valuable hands-on experience in emergency management and social services.
Contractors at Aspire Indiana Health receive training focused on shelter policies, crisis response protocols, and trauma-informed care. Ongoing communication with site managers ensures workers are supported in adapting to shifting shelter needs and maintaining high service standards.
This role blends direct client care with operational duties in a shelter environment, providing unique exposure to crisis intervention and community resource linkage. Unlike broader emergency management roles, it centers on hands-on support for vulnerable populations during critical weather-related events.
The part-time contract demands flexibility, including overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts, especially during weather activations. This schedule allows workers to balance other commitments while actively contributing to shelter operations throughout the winter contingency period.
Indianapolis shelters often emphasize community collaboration and resilience, reflecting regional values. Staff are expected to maintain confidentiality rigorously while fostering inclusive, trauma-sensitive environments that address the city's diverse homeless populations and seasonal shelter fluctuations.