On-Call Shelter Advocate

Shelter Staff Position

This is a direct service position working with single adults in a 24-hour shelter setting to ensure that essential needs are met while fostering a safe, clean, and dignified environment. Employees in this role also provide advocacy, support, and guidance to program participants as needed. The work site for this position is our shelter located within Simpson Community Shelter and Apartments. The Shelter program serves 72 single adults each night as well as companion animals as needed.

Participant populations may include individuals from diverse backgrounds who have experienced systemic barriers, trauma, or marginalization. Employees may be asked to work additional hours or take on increased workloads in situations of unexpected staff absence or shortage.

Hours for this position are generally: Requires open availability to pick up shifts due to staff illness/absence.

Responsibilities

Facilitate on-site shelter operations:

• Communicate with staff and volunteers on-site at the shelter, both verbally and in writing.
• Greet and support volunteers and meal groups.
• Provide a hospitable environment that is safe, welcoming, non-judgmental, and affirming.
• Know and understand shelter rules and be ready to communicate, explain, and uphold them.
• Remain available and attentive to guests' needs; including answering questions, distributing bedding and supplies, answering phone calls, etc.

• Complete regular rounds throughout the building to ensure guest safety.
• Deescalate conflict and provide support to participants when in crisis.
• Support daily environmental tasks including washing shelter and guest laundry, refilling coffee and water stations, light dishwashing, and organizing donations.
• Work as part of shelter team to ensure staff presence at front desk, dining area, and shelter floor.

Provide quality coordination of services:

• Stay informed on resources and changes within the shelter system and homeless service system.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and strong boundaries when interacting with program participants.
• Support program participants with problem-solving in a positive and non-judgmental manner.
• Understand principles of harm reduction and function of safe use supplies.
• Complete basic first aid, AED, and overdose prevention trainings and be ready to act effectively and decisively in crisis situations.

Complete accurate and thorough documentation in a timely manner:

• Understand and adhere to standards of confidentiality and privacy.
• Keep organized client files including intake packets, consent forms, and other relevant documents (as requested by supervisors).
• Understand responsibilities of working with vulnerable adults.

Provide positive representation of Simpson Housing Services:

• Develop positive relationships with program participants, co-workers, volunteers, donors, and other constituents.
• Interpret and promote the program to constituents.
• Network with providers of similar services.
• Participate in professional trainings, workshops, conferences, and community meetings.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in all interactions.

Commit to anti-racism and social justice:

• Work at the agency, program, and shift level to build a culture of equity and anti-racism.
• Evolve understanding of racism and its relationship to the causes of homelessness, barriers to exiting homelessness, and bias in service delivery as well as its impact on program participants and staff alike.
• Participate in meetings, trainings, and workshops hosted by the organization on the topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and other related topics.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required of the employee for this job. Duties may change based on program and participant need.

Scope of Position

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• Adequate written and verbal communication skills
• Patience, flexibility, ability to listen, compassion and assertiveness
• Ability to be decisive and effective under pressure and maintain composure in crisis situations.

Desired:

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish is a plus
• Knowledge or experience with low-income and unhoused populations
• Knowledge or experience working with diverse populations who may have a history of mental health, chemical dependency, abuse or trauma
• Experience in providing direct social services.

Essential Physical Functions:

• Employee must be able to hear, speak, read and write in English in order to communicate with staff, participants, and volunteers in person, on the telephone, and in writing.
• Employee must be able to move about the workplace.
• Employee must be able to lift up to 40 lbs on an occasional basis.