Bahiya House Youth Shelter - Supervisor II in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Wisconsin Community Services

Pay Range: $22.00/hr - $25.00/hr

Job Summary

The Shelter Care Supervisor is responsible for the daily leadership, supervision, safety, compliance, and operations of the WCS Youth Shelter Care Program at Bahiya House. Reporting to the Vice President and working closely with the Assistant Program Director (APD) and Program Director (PD), the Supervisor oversees staff and daily shelter operations, ensures adherence to agency, Milwaukee County, and State of Wisconsin policies and requirements, and maintains a safe, trauma-informed, and supportive environment for youth.

The Shelter Care Supervisor provides leadership, guidance, mentoring, and support to staff and youth; promotes accountability and teamwork; participates in Shelter Care leadership meetings; and collaborates with the Vice President, APD, and PD to ensure effective program operations and quality service delivery. The Supervisor serves as a positive role model for both staff and youth and supports the overall success and continuous improvement of the Youth Shelter Care Program.

Key responsibilities include:

• Staff Leadership & Supervision: Provide reflective supervision, coaching, mentoring, conflict management, performance feedback, staff scheduling, shift coverage, and leadership support.
• Youth Safety & Care: Ensure active supervision, appropriate staffing ratios, therapeutic interactions, confidentiality, medication procedures, intake processes, and accurate youth records.
• Program Compliance: Ensure adherence to agency policies, Milwaukee County requirements, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families regulations, licensing standards, incident reporting, emergency drills, and required documentation.
• Daily Shelter Operations: Oversee shift exchanges, communication logs, visitor check-in, facility safety, supplies, food services, keys, equipment, census reporting, and maintenance requests.
• Programming & Engagement: Coordinate youth activities, educational groups, outings, and community-based programming in collaboration with program leadership.
• Communication & Collaboration: Maintain effective communication with youth, families, staff, county personnel, schools, service providers, and agency leadership while protecting confidentiality.
• Quality Assurance & Documentation: Review youth files, reports, medication records, shelter documentation, fob reports, and other records for accuracy and compliance.
• Incident & Emergency Response: Respond to critical and serious incidents, ensure timely reporting, participate in emergency preparedness, and collaborate with leadership on required corrective actions.
• Hiring & Staff Development: Assist with recruitment, onboarding, staff meetings, evaluations, performance tracking, and ongoing professional development.
• On-Call & Operational Support: Participate in after-hours coverage, weekend responsibilities, unannounced shift drop-ins, and provide reasonable shift coverage when needed.
• Administrative Responsibilities: Support budgeting-related purchasing needs, food and supply procurement, scheduling, performance outcomes, annual planning, and other duties that support successful shelter operations.

Overall: This role serves as a key operational leader at the shelter, ensuring staff accountability, youth safety and well-being, regulatory compliance, quality programming, and effective day-to-day operations.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience working with children or adolescents of a similar age in a 24-hour residential or shelter setting.
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience, with 2–3 years preferred.
• High school diploma or GED/HSED required; an associate or bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, or a related field is preferred.
• Must meet all WCS, funder, and state licensing requirements, including satisfactory professional references, criminal and caregiver background checks, driver’s license verification with an acceptable driving record, and completion of a required drug screening.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of positive child and youth development and the ability to work patiently and effectively with youth experiencing challenging life circumstances.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and supportive when interacting with youth or families during periods of escalation or crisis.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and respond appropriately and effectively to emergency and crisis situations.
• Strong communication, writing, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with computers, electronic documentation systems, Microsoft Word, and other technology platforms required for the position.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative teams and contribute to a supportive work environment.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, and disability-related differences and needs.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures applicable to residential youth settings, including verbal de-escalation and approved physical intervention techniques, when necessary and permitted by policy and training.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.
• Ability to complete assigned responsibilities and position functions accurately, efficiently, and within required timeframes.

Physical Demands

This position requires active engagement with youth and may involve walking, standing, bending, and other physical activity while monitoring or interacting with youth in the shelter and community.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds.
• Must be capable of responding appropriately to emergency situations.
• In extremely rare circumstances, and only as a last resort when there is an immediate risk of physical harm, staff may be required to utilize approved physical intervention techniques consistent with agency policy, training, and applicable regulations.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate an agency vehicle are required.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a state-licensed youth shelter care facility and throughout the surrounding community.
• Position requires regular movement throughout the shelter and interaction with youth, staff, families, service providers, and community partners.
• Local travel is required to fulfill essential job functions, including safely transporting youth to school, activities, appointments, and other approved destinations, as well as assisting with youth pick-ups from detention when needed.
• Must be available to provide coverage and work varying schedules, including weekends, as operational needs require.
• The position involves working with youth who may have experienced significant trauma and may express trauma through challenging or disruptive behaviors. The successful candidate must be able to maintain a trauma-informed, patient, consistent, and emotionally safe approach in these situations.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.