Support Specialist, Safety & Engagement

Job Title: Specialist, Safety & Engagement
Reports to : Assistant Director
Schedule: Tuesday 7:00am - 3:30pm, Wednesday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm Saturday 7:00am - 3:30pm, (Every 1st and 2nd Wednesday of each month 8:00am to 4:30pm)
Location: Annenberg Access Center, 503 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Status : Full-Time, Non-Management, Non-Exempt (hourly)
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Planning (403b), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.

Summary
As a Safety and Engagement Specialist, you will play a key role in our mission to provide compassionate, restorative care to individuals facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance addiction. You will be the first point of contact for clients, fostering a welcoming environment that supports their progress. Using evidence-based approaches like harm reduction, housing-first, and trauma-informed care, you'll engage with clients, ensure adherence to program guidelines, and maintain a safe, well-kept facility. Your responsibilities will include conducting regular site walk-throughs, implementing crisis interventions when needed, keeping accurate documentation, and collaborating with our team to deliver holistic care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director, the Support Specialist (Safety and Engagement) is responsible for:
• Provide excellent customer service by engaging and welcoming all participants.
• Provide accurate information regarding available Access Center and SHWASHLOCK (shower, washers & lockers) services and hours of operation.
• Collaborate with management, staff and security in maintaining order and smooth flow of services throughout the day.
• Provide Crisis Intervention using Non-violent Crisis Intervention techniques to disruptive participants.
• Monitor and oversee the Access Center Lobby, courtyard, west side patio, bathrooms and showers to ensure compliance with program policies and procedures.
• Conduct perimeter walkthroughs
• Provide and promote resources to participants that are available in the community and surrounding areas as well as directions and transportation assistance as needed.
• Document all incidents including those involving SMPD, fire department and paramedics and submit incident reports
• Monitor and oversee the delivery of donations of food and clothing for the Access Center; and provide donation receipts to donors
• Perform the weekly pickup of food items from the food bank Tuesday's at 7am, when needed
• Assist with the daily operation of the facility as needed, including general cleaning duties; cleaning and sweeping front of Access Center and perimeter
• Communicate with the supervisor daily to report all issues, concerns, suggestions, and successes
• Attend all staff meetings, safety team meetings, agency meetings, training and retreats as scheduled.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Minimum high school diploma/GED
• Comfortable, able, and willing to drive the agency van
• Current, valid California Driver's License with an acceptable driving record, necessary to drive agency van
• Demonstrate effective customer service skills by being able to handle difficult situations and act professionally regardless of circumstances
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in a responsible security/customer service position
• Able to lift to 50 lbs. to move items as needed
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention
• Familiarity with Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care Practices
• Able to self-motivate and to appropriately organize and motivate others
• Able to multitask, handling multiple tasks and a high-volume of client requests
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues faced by population served (homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, medical issues, domestic violence, etc.)
• Able to work in a high tolerance Harm Reduction model with members who have multiple barriers
• Experience working in a community-based setting and as part of a team
• Computer literate; able to use computerized database system for information management
• Ability to work as a team member

Preferred Qualifications:
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Work Environment:
• Primarily outdoor/indoor office environment
• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 50 pounds
• May necessitate working in a busy and loud environment
• May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
• May need to bend, stoop, twist and sit throughout the day

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS OF ALL STAFF

1. Act as a role model
2. Demonstrate a sense of responsibility
3. Continuously learn and improve
4. Acknowledge your own areas of improvement
5. Hear and provide honest, specific and direct feedback
6. Create an environment where everyone is welcomed valued and respected
7. Collaborate

Equal Opportunity Employer

The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job based on job-related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or other applicable laws.

About the People Concern

The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. One of Los Angeles County's largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. Informed by more than fifty-eight years of work in the community, The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.


With compassion and profound respect for those we serve, we provide a fully integrated system of care - including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing - tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.


The People Concern's model of integrated and comprehensive care empowers our participants to navigate the multi-faceted obstacles in their lives, become their best selves, and ultimately, connect with and contribute to their communities.


Benefits & Perks

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Planning (403b) & Matching
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• TELUS Health
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Corporate Discounts: Discounts on Hotels, Theme Parks, Concerts, Movies, Restaurants & More
• The People Concern University & Certificates