The Shelter Resident Transition (SRT) Service Associate is a temporary role that supports people staying in Red Cross shelters after a large disaster. These staff members work directly with shelter residents to learn about their current situation, what resources they have, and what challenges are preventing them from leaving the shelter. Together, they help households create a personalized plan to move from the shelter into a more stable living situation, such as temporary or permanent housing.
By helping people find their next steps and leave the shelter sooner, this role helps reduce how long individuals and families are displaced by a disaster and supports their recovery. This work is typically needed during larger disaster responses.
This role is a great fit for volunteers who:
- Enjoy one‑on‑one conversations and building rapport with people from diverse backgrounds
- Are skilled at listening, asking questions, and helping people problem‑solve
- Have experience (formal or informal) in social services, case management, housing, customer service, or community support
- Are organized and able to manage multiple cases, prioritize tasks, and document information accurately
- Are comfortable working independently and as part of a team, including in remote or virtual environments
- Can remain calm, compassionate, and flexible in a fast‑paced, emotionally demanding environment
You don’t need to be a housing expert—training and support are provided. What matters most is your ability to support people through barriers and help them move toward stability after a disaster.
SRT/SA-specific Responsibilities:
Steady-State SRT/SA Responsibilities (when not deployed in SRT)
- Maintain an active RC Care account
- Maintain familiarity with RC Care, which may include:
- Participating in steady-state Recovery Planning Casework or Individual Disaster Care support
- Deploy locally, including DAT responses and/or REC/CARE on Level 2 & 3 DROs
- Participate in NHQ Client Care Office Hours
- Practice RC Care usage in the RC Care Sandbox
- Mentor other RC Care users
- Participate in Regional/Chapter Mass Care exercises and workshops
- Review weekly RC Care Weekly Updates & Release Notes emails
- Participate in bi-annual SRT Casework RC Care Reports and Dashboards workshops
- Review SRT in RC Care video in EDGE prior to deploying
- Maintain familiarity with SRT casework, which may include:
- Participating in steady-state Recovery Planning Casework
- Participate in Bi-Monthly SRT engagement sessions
- Practice SRT Services in the RC Care Sandbox
- Read the monthly SRT Newsletter – Quick Looks
- Teach SRT Triage Fundamentals and SRT Casework Operations courses
- Mentor other caseworkers
- Participate in SRT refresher sessions prior to deploying
Operational-State SRT/SA Responsibilities (when deployed in SRT)
- Cultivates a trust-based relationship with each assigned household
- Meets regularly (commonly every 48 hours) with assigned households to support the creation of an individualized shelter transition plan
- Provides SRT Casework services equitably, including empowerment; transition planning; information; coaching; advocacy; resources & referrals; and, when needed, case conferencing and/or needs-based SRT financial assistance
- Documents individual/household resources, barriers, and progression towards an identified transition plan in RC Care
- As necessary:
- Uses and updates the Shelter Client Information Application (SCIA), including SRT Triage, Demographics, and more
- Completes RC Care Intake
- Ensures Immediate Assistance eligible households receive funds, when disbursed
- Works in collaboration with other activities at the shelter site, including shelter workers, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Spiritual Care, and more
General Responsibilities for all Service Associates:
- Ensure work is carried out in alignment with our fundamental principles and within established guidelines
- Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently
- Participate in all required meetings and review and complete daily tasks and reports
- Collaborate effectively with others in a disaster environment
- Efficiently handle time sensitive issues that may arise in area of responsibility
- Report the status of assigned responsibilities and tasks as directed
- Work independently while following the direction of the direct supervisor
