Floater Shelter Advocate (Seattle, Covering Overnight 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
Implement Shelter Operations & Procedures (60%): 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 out fridges; tidy 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 training and monthly staff meetings
Guest Relations (25%): Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high-quality shelter services
Lead Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA) check-ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter
Aid guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services
Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma-informed crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens
Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team-based, solution-oriented approach to the work; and high-quality service delivery
Welcome and orient new families to shelter—provide shelter tours, explain program, and complete and upload shelter intake documents
Data Entry and Information Management (10%): 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
Implementation of Guest Enrichment Programming (5%): Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our 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)
Able 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)
Pay
The hourly wage starts at $25.00/hour DOE. Compensation for an overnight shift includes an additional $1/hour differential. Candidates must be available to work at least two shifts per two-week-pay-period, or at least half (50%) of shift offerings.
Schedule
The schedule for a Floater Shelter Advocate overnight shift is 11:00 p.m. – 8:30 a.m. (a Sunday overnight shift begins Saturday night at 11:00 p.m., a Monday overnight shift begins Sunday at 11:00 p.m., etc.). The hourly wage starts at $25.00/hour DOE. Compensation for an overnight shift includes an additional $1/hour differential.
The schedule for a Floater Shelter Advocate Day or Evening shift is as follows:
Day: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Evening: 3:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Key Responsibilities Implementation of Shelter Operations & Procedures (60%) 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 out fridges; tidy 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 training and monthly staff meetings Guest Relations (25%) Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high-quality shelter services Lead Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA) check-ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter. Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services. 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 Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team-based, solution-oriented approach to the work; and high-quality service delivery Welcome and orient new families to shelter—provide shelter tours, explain program, and complete and upload shelter intake documents Data Entry and Information Management (10%) 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 Implementation of Guest Enrichment Programming (5%) 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 The above percentages are for Overnight shifts. When working a day or evening shift, the day or evening role decreases Operations & Procedures by 30%, while increasing Guest Relations by 15% and Guest Enrichment by 10% compared to the overnight role.
Benefits
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)