Shelter Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

About LAWS- and Why This Role Matters

Serving Loudoun since 1984 · Free · Confidential · Trauma-informed · Survivor-centered

For more than 40 years, LAWS has been where Loudoun County turns when domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, or child abuse shatters a life. It began in 1984 with three local women, $3,000, and immeasurable determination; a year later, they opened the county's first- and still only- emergency shelter for survivors fleeing domestic violence. Today, LAWS is the County's designated provider of free, confidential services for survivors: a 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter, on-staff attorneys providing free legal representation (the only domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit in Virginia to do so), trauma therapy for children and adults, hospital accompaniment, bilingual services, prevention education, and the Loudoun Child Advocacy Center. LAWS also holds the county's response together- coordinating the Domestic Abuse Response Team, co-leading the Sexual Assault Response Team, and convening the child-abuse Multidisciplinary Team- so help arrives coordinated rather than fragmented.

The need has never been greater. In fiscal year 2025 alone, LAWS answered 1,256 crisis calls- 162 of them flagged as potential homicide risks- and provided 4,291 nights of safe shelter to 178 people, more than half of them children. Its advocates logged 5,224 hours alongside 707 survivors; its attorneys secured 36 protective orders; and its Child Advocacy Center conducted 197 forensic interviews for children. Since 2019, survivors report abuse that is dramatically more dangerous- weapons used or threatened up 77 percent, and homelessness caused by domestic violence up 161 percent. Through all of it, LAWS never turns a survivor away and stewards its resources so carefully that 73 cents of every dollar goes straight to services- earning it 2025 Best Nonprofit in Loudoun.

Every survivor who comes through our doors has already shown extraordinary courage by asking for help. Our responsibility as a community is to make sure that when they do, we have a place worthy of that courage.

Where This Role Comes In – Shelter Supervisor

Reporting to the Shelter Manager, the Shelter Supervisor provides direct supervision to Shelter Specialists and PRN Shelter Specialists and consistent operational oversight of the shelter during assigned shifts. The position ensures the shelter remains safe, welcoming, functional, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed for survivors and their children.

As a first-line supervisor bridging direct service and program management, the Shelter Supervisor provides staff direction, coaching, performance oversight, and shift coordination while maintaining a strong presence in the shelter. The position responds to day-to-day concerns, supports staff through difficult situations, and ensures shelter policies, procedures, and standards are consistently followed. This work requires sound judgment, strong communication, discretion, and the ability to respond independently to routine and emergent situations during evening and weekend hours.

The Shelter Supervisor models LAWS' values and trauma-informed, survivor-centered practices in all interactions with survivors, children, staff, volunteers, and community partners. 

This position's scheduled to work Wednesday through Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Primary Duties:

• Directly supervise assigned Shelter Specialists and PRN Shelter Specialists, providing day-to-day direction, coaching, accountability, performance feedback, and support for onboarding, training, and ongoing development.
• Provide day-to-day operational oversight of the shelter during assigned shifts, ensuring appropriate staffing and coverage and monitoring cleanliness, organization, safety, accessibility, routines, and resident needs.
• Ensure Shelter Specialists complete assigned responsibilities, maintain established routines, and communicate important information across shifts; review shift notes, logs, and other operational documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed shelter environment, responding to resident concerns, interpersonal conflicts, behavioral or safety concerns, and situations requiring supervisory intervention.
• Coordinate with the Shelter Manager on staffing gaps, coverage, schedule changes, and operational needs; address routine issues, escalate significant concerns as appropriate, and support continuity of 24/7 shelter operations.
• Provide direct survivor support when necessary to maintain safety and continuity of operations while referring case advocacy, planning, and goal-setting to the appropriate Advocate or program.

Organizational Values

• Empathy
• Accountability
• Empowerment
• Adaptability
• Effective Communication

  Required Education and Experience