Relief Center Assistant

Punawai Rest Stop - Center Assistant - Relief

POSITION TITLE: CENTER ASSISTANT - RELIEF

RESPONSIBLE TO: Center Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

We are seeking a Center Assistant to join our mission in supporting and uplifting our homeless community through dedicated service. This position is designated as a "RELIEF" role, meaning it does not include benefits and functions similarly to being on-call. A relief worker typically fills in as needed without a fixed schedule, often stepping in to cover absences or extra demand, providing flexibility but without the usual employment benefits.

We need someone who can manage both the physical tasks of maintaining our facility and the emotional resilience to handle interactions often marked by trauma and distress. This role is critical in providing a safe, clean, and supportive environment for our clients. It requires a blend of skills and emotional intelligence, with the understanding that this demanding work significantly impacts our community.

The ideal candidate should have some experience working with the homeless or similar populations and possess a strong understanding of the complexities involved in this challenging, yet deeply rewarding work environment.

POSITION GOALS:

Under the direction of the Center Manager, schedules and supervises homeless clients to use services offered within the Punawai Rest Stop hygiene center setting. To provide sufficient supervision and management to ensure a safe environment, and a positive experience for homeless guests using the facility and services.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operations. Assists guests with use of the facility. Schedules and assist guests with services, and accurately documents utilization for the following duties:
• Reception. Promoting and maintaining order and harmony while welcoming guests at the front entrance and discovering guest needs, documenting services, and giving direction to guests to expedite appointments in a timely manner. Answering appointment line and scheduling appointments. Monitoring property perimeter. Maintains a safe and hazard free area by continually monitoring guests and property. General cleaning of area is conducted by the Center Assistant. Continuous disinfection and sanitation are needed.
• Laundry/Storage/Kennels. Promoting and maintaining order and harmony while assisting guests with the laundry, storage and animal kennels and accurately documenting usage. Maintain a safe and hazard free area by continually monitoring guests and facility. General cleaning of area is conducted by the Center Assistant. Maintains continuous disinfection and sanitation.
• Showers/Mail/Phones. Promoting and maintaining order and harmony while assisting guests with use of the showers, distribution of mail as needed, use of PRS phone and assisting with chargeable devices and documenting ownership of items. General cleaning of showers after every use. Maintains a safe and sanitary environment by continually monitoring floors, and restrooms.

Orderly Environment. Helps to maintain an orderly environment inside the hygiene center and enforcing House Rules. Disallows raised voices, physical gestures of threats, and possession of harmful objects, e.g., weapons and/or objects that could be used as weapons. This includes objects such as umbrellas, skateboards, or other objects that could be used as a weapon. Provide care and supervision of clients, which may include:

• Knowing whereabouts of clients at all times.
• Reinforcing appropriate behavior while on premises.
• Handling crisis situations.

Respect. Greets each guest with dignity and respect. Use communication skills of understanding, active listening, clarification, and problem solving.

Case Management. Assists guests with basic recovery needs by making referrals to Punawai Case Managers as applicable.

Incident Reports. Report incidents immediately by completing an MHK Incident Report and submit to the Center Manager. Incident Reports are defined by policy. Illegal activity is reported immediately to supervisor and calling 911.

Facility Maintenance. Assist with on-going operations such as maintenance, and related safety, health and sanitation measures. Monitor and report any plumbing, electrical, safety or carpentry problems; and arrange for repairs and upkeep as indicated.

Other duties as assigned by Management/Supervisory staff.

CORE EXPECTATION:

8. Work Rules. Adheres to and maintains current MHK work rules. Reports and/or resolves issues of non-compliance.

9. Code of Ethics. Adheres to and maintain current knowledge of MHK code of conduct/ethics, applicable federal and state laws and regulations, accreditation and MHK policies and procedures. Reports and/or resolves issues of non-compliance.

10. Customer Service. Is proactive to create, adapt and develop services that are responsive to customer needs/ expectations. Maximizes customer satisfaction

11. Adaptability/ Change Management. Is flexible and open to new ideas. Creates/ supports new initiatives. Assists others. Exhibits optimism in adapting to change. Seeks opportunities to try new ways of doing things. Begins projects with the end in mind.

12. Communication & Listening Skills. Uses current MHK transparent communication model. Keeps others informed. Writes and speaks clearly, concisely, and effectively. Uses active listening. Genuinely strives to understand other viewpoints first before speaking. Respects differing viewpoints.

13. Conflict Resolution & Negotiation. Uses current MHK conflict resolution model. Goes first to the person with whom there is a problem. Focuses on the operating issues, separating out the personal issues. Seeks clear, equitable solutions that benefit the greater organization.

14. Problem Solving. Uses current MHK problem solving model. Resolves problems timely, with win-win solutions that benefit the greater organization. Follow through, applies solutions, and is accountable.

15. Teamwork. Participates and supports the collective MHK goals and offers ideas to synergize solutions.

16. Systems Thinking. Expresses opinions, offers solutions and makes decisions based on clinical/ business principles; corporate goals; and current MHK values/ ethics.

17. Organizational Alignment. Offers opinion, solutions and decisions for individual programs that are aligned with the mission, values, and goals of the greater MHK organization.

18. Accountability & Compliance. Is accountable for assignments. Offers to assist others. Holds self and others accountable for business functions. Complies with MHK work rules, and corporate compliance policy.

Utilizing Resources & Stewardship. Is proactive to create, adapt and develop services that are responsive to customer needs/ expectations. Maximizes customer satisfaction.

QUALIFICATIONS

Expectations:

Ability to assist people who are homeless with a variety of social, economic and cultural issues. Assist homeless people including those with psychiatric disabilities ranging from transitional issues such as anxiety and depression, to life-long, serious mental illness; e.g., schizophrenia; bi-polar disorders; and behaviors that may involve psychosis (i.e., hearing voices; visual hallucinations; delusions, etc.). To facilitate conflict resolution to stressful situations and emotional conflicts with persons served and other stakeholders.

Education & Experience:

Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent. Computer literate.

Preferred Qualifications: Previous work experience in human services.

Professional/Personal Skills: Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision. Work productively, and complete assignments on a timely basis. Ability to relate to the public, staff and clients effectively and tactfully. Maintain confidentiality related to staff, client and fiscal matters. Work cooperatively with project and agency staff.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

Pre-employment:

· Criminal Background Check

· Health Clearance

· High school diploma or equivalent and/or official College Transcripts (mailed from the school directly to MHK)

Required:

· Current CPR & First Aid Certificates

· Current TB Clearance or TB X-Ray (two-step TB Clearance is required for TLP location)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

May occasionally be required to lift up to 25 pounds in a work setting. Must talk and hear frequently for telephone use and basic communication. May periodically sit, stand, bend, stoop, twist, reach, walk and climb stairs. Must be able to drive to different locations, which requires the use of a personal vehicle.

NOTE: Lead Center Assistants may not drive Agency vehicles or use their privately owned vehicle to conduct Agency business and are therefore not required to have a driver's license, Traffic Abstract, vehicle insurance or safety check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Variable, depending on need.