Advocate - Full Time

Overview

PROGRAM/POSITION DESCRIPTION:

St. Martin de Porres Shelter provides 24/7 enhanced shelter and related services for adult men age45 and older experiencing homelessness.  No referrals are needed for entry into the program.   Participants run the entire spectrum of needs.  Many clients have chronic and acute physical health, mental illness, active addiction issues, and/or trauma. This is a low-barrier, harm reduction program.  Advocates are responsible for providing direct service to the participants, assisting with the goal of moving participants quickly into permanent housing, and fostering a team environment among shelter staff and volunteers. 

Responsibilities

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Direct service to people who are homeless

• Provide crisis intervention and advocacy to participants.
• Coordinate with other social service agency workers (case managers, social workers, medical professionals) to provide for clients’ immediate needs.
• Model interpersonal and living skills for clients.
• Enforce building and program rules including bar policy.
• Maintain a safe and comfortable enhanced shelter environment, including removal of garbage from individual mat areas when necessary, routine garbage removal from the common areas, and other janitorial assistance as assigned.
• Preparation of meals, serving of meals and cleaning the kitchen.
• Doing the laundry of blankets, towels and other common use shelter washables in the industrial laundry.
• Work as a team with other colleagues on shift and be able to work independently without direct supervision

2. Client intake, assessment and advocacy

• Register new clients including evaluation and assessment of client needs.
• Review and record notes and information in HMIS, ShiftNote and other databases that are relevant to other staff members and/or help insure program consistency.
• Maintain client records, updating information on an ongoing basis.
• Explain and enforce policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate client count throughout shifts.
• Complete frequent scheduled floor checks throughout shifts.
• Engage outside professionals (Mental Health Professionals, Medics, Police) when appropriate.

3. Concierge duties

• Manage front desk and building security, including welcoming clients, visitors and donors, monitoring the lobby, enforcing building and program rules, and sanitizing client belongings.
• Perform routine walk through of the entire building to engage with clients and ensure safety.
• Process messages and maintain accurate client tracking records, including the bar list.
• Answer phones and provide information to callers.
• Assist participants as they move into or out of the building as needed.

4. Supervision of volunteers

• Supervise volunteers on shift.
• Work with off-site volunteers providing advice and support as needed.

5. Administrative and General Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings, workshops, retreats, and in-service classes as provided.
• Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule.
• Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented work environment; participate with other staff members in group decision-making process.
• Assist with client and program laundry as needed
• Maintain cleanliness and order at front desk and lobby area.
• Inform supervisors of facilities and client-related issues.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

JOB CONDITIONS

This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material.  Other exposures could include cleaning supplies, chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance. Working conditions may include interruptions, interactions with angry persons, and exposure to computer CRTs.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ACUITY DEMANDS:

The requirements described here 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 the essential functions.

• Able to hear telephone rings, phone conversation, doorbells, emergency alarms and face-to-face conversation.
• Able to speak clearly in person and on the telephone.
• Able to hand write legibly.
• Vision that enables person to read normal size print and handwritten notes; and distance and peripheral vision than enables person to monitor large space and identify concerns that require staff response.
• Mobility/dexterity of hands/arms to enable keying into locked areas as well as using a computer and other office equipment.
• Able to sit for sustained periods of time.
• Able to walk the entire building and ascend and descend stairs quickly to move from one floor to another in order to respond to emergency situations.
• Ability to lift, move and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• Able to make independent decisions and apply sound judgment in performing job duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
• Experience or knowledge of mental illness and addictions.
• Knowledge and experience with crisis intervention.
• Commitment to harm reduction program model.
• Ability to work within the mission, goals, and objectives of Catholic Housing Services/Catholic Community Services.
• Ability to commit to developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment.
• Must have a reliable phone or voice mail service at all times in which to be reached.
• Ability to contribute to a work environment that fosters respect, teamwork, and excellence.
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.
• Support and contribute to a creative, collaborative and respectful environment that promotes teamwork.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.
• Criminal history background checks are required prior to employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• College level classes toward degree in Social Service.
• Previous work experience in programs that work with high needs participants.
• CPR/First Aid training