Floater Shelter Advocate (Seattle, Covering Evening Shifts)

About the role

We are seeking a responsible and energetic individual with a passion for serving families at our 24-hour shelter locations. Floater Shelter Advocates work with parents and children experiencing homelessness and in need of a safe refuge.

Responsibilities

• Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high-quality shelter services
• Engage guests in conversations around their housing goals and assist them with resource navigation
• Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries
• Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma-informed crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens
• Welcome and orient new families to shelter - provide shelter tours, explain program, and complete and upload shelter intake documents
• Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual
• Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment - disinfect high-touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling; etc.
• Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation
• Move around the facility and maintain an active and engaging presence around shelter
• Record and report any building/facility concerns
• Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings
• Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our guests
• Provide feedback to Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness of programming and ideas for improvement
• Welcome and help orient volunteers to the space and their roles; actively engage volunteer in shelter activities
• Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, and accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation
• Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality
• Maintain up to date community resources as provided by other program teams, and make them easily accessible to guests

Requirements

• Two or more years of work or volunteer experience in a social services setting, OR one or more years of social services experience combined with one or more years of customer service experience
• Experience working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is highly preferred
• Demonstrated creative problem solving, conflict de-escalation, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care
• Ability to set appropriate boundaries and maintain professional demeanor in a high stress environment
• Highly motivated, self-starter, resourceful, flexible, and possesses a positive attitude
• Exhibits compassion and empathy; works well with parents and children from all racial, ethnic, social, economic, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds
• Strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening (communication) skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Sensitivity to the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness, low-income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse, or other barriers to employment and housing
• Able to proficiently speak, read, write, and understand English. Proficiency in another language is preferred, particularly in Portuguese, Amharic, Spanish, Lingala, Oromo, French, Russian, Tigrinya, or Marshallese
• Able to reliably commute to at least two of the three Mary’s Place 24/7 shelter locations (Bellevue, Burien, and Regrade/Downtown Seattle)
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in response to clients’ needs
• Willing to complete and submit a TB test within thirty days of employment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to converse with and listen to people in many different settings
• Ability to use a computer and telephone, as well as other standard office equipment
• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
• Ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds
• Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required
• Travel to program sites and meetings outside the site and around the county is necessary
• Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs

Details

• Sick Time in accordance with Seattle Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance. Sick Time accrues at 0.03846 hour for each hour in timesheet (equal to 40 hours/year when 20 hours/week in timesheet)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrues at 0.03846 hour for each hour in timesheet during first year of employment, with increasing accruals for each year worked up to 0.05769 hour for 5+ years of employment
• 403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% employee contribution. Eligible to participate upon hire; eligible for the match after 1 year of employment and 1,000 Hours of Service
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Salary

$25.00/hour DOE