Help wanted: Poverello scrambles to fill jobs at Emergency Winter Shelter

Missoula's shortage of willing workers has made hiring difficult and with winter pushing in, the Poverello Center is trying to hire 30 care positions for the Johnson Street Emergency Winter Shelter, which is set to open in two weeks.

The city and county of Missoula, along with other partners, have contributed funding to the Poverello's service on Johnson Street. This is the second year the shelter will operate to help make up for reduced capacity at the Poverello Center on West Broadway due to Covid-19.

“Like the rest of the Missoula community and nation, we are facing shortages in staffing,” the shelter stated in a call for help. “The Poverello Center needs these positions in order to fully staff and open the Johnson Street shelter on Nov. 1.”

Shelter staff delivered a similar message to the City Council in early October when it approved shelter operation at the Johnson Street location. Staffing the shelter has been a challenge, the Pov said, and time is running out.

According to the Pov, the jobs it looks to fill include all shifts and pay $15 an hour. Paid time off is accrued from Day One. The jobs also come with a benefits package, including healthcare and the Employee Assistance Program, which offers free therapy for employees.

“Working at the Pov means you can have a direct impact on the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Jill Bonny, executive director of the Poverello Center. “Every day we are saving peoples lives, and this is especially true during the winter. I personally encourage people to join us in the service to our community.”

In addition, the Pov will offer a hiring bonus of $250 to new hires after they are on the job for at least 30 days. Staff who are still working for the Pov when the end of Emergency Winter Shelter closes in April will receive a $1,000 “appreciation bonus.”

The positions can be access by following this link.