Warming Center - Engagement Specialist

St. Patrick Center provides opportunities for self-sufficiency and dignity to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals and families build permanent, positive change in their lives through safe and affordable housing, sound mental and physical health, and employment and financial stability.

Working collaboratively with individuals, businesses, government and other service providers, St. Patrick Center will end chronic homelessness in the St. Louis region through Housing First, an evidence-based practice that tells us to remove barriers, do intake and assessment early, move people into housing and offer them support to achieve their goals.

POSITION SUMMARY

Catholic Charities St. Louis, St. Patrick Center, is seeking an Engagement Specialist. The Engagement Specialist supports the daily operations of the Warming Center by welcoming clients, assessing their immediate needs, and connecting them with appropriate community resources and shelter services. This role promotes a safe, respectful, and supportive environment through effective communication, conflict de-escalation, and appropriate emergency response. The Engagement Specialist is also responsible for assisting with data collection, maintaining a clean and professional appearance, and completing incident reports as needed. This is a grant funded, temporary position that will be effective 11/1/2026 - 3/31/2027. This role is part-time (no more than 19 hrs a week) and not eligible for benefits.

Starting pay at $19.50 per hour.

OVERVIEW AND RESPONSIBLITIES

• Engage clients in conversation to determine needs; provide appropriate resources.
• Refer clients to appropriate community agencies and shelter providers, as needed.
• Applies appropriate intervention and de-escalation techniques to reduce tension, manage disruptive behavior, and support positive outcomes.
• Use appropriate judgement to call "911" for emergency assistance.
• Providing a welcome presence to person seeking services.
• Maintain clean and professional appearance.
• Complete Incident Reports related to clients, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience working with unhoused individuals is preferred.

St. Patrick Centerdoes not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities.

St. Patrick Centeris an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.

Pre-Employment Screening All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include criminal background check and other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Our Mission

To bring the healing, help, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need with a compassionate, caring presence.

Transforming lives and working to create a community where everyone has access to sustainable housing, employment, and healthcare.

As a part of the Catholic Charitiesfamily, you’ll have the resources to care for those closest to you.

• generous parental leave policies
• flexible working arrangements
• group life insurance
• permanent health insurance
• dedicated support to help you find the right child care or elder care