Housing Advocate - Women's Resource Center

About the role

About Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith‑based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Its mission is to provide community‑supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase self‑reliance, serving people experiencing mental health, substance use, and homelessness challenges. The Geraldine E. King Women's Resource Center meets the distinctive needs of women experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, case management, life skills training, and connection to community services, with the goal of helping clients obtain safe and stable housing. Housing Advocates provide front‑line support, assisting clients with daily activities such as mail access, transport, property storage, program orientation, client check‑ins, security screening, and more, working toward the shared goal of helping every resident obtain housing. The Housing Advocate will perform direct, front‑line services to provide a safe environment for individuals entering the resource center and assist clients in obtaining housing, including intake and diversion services when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality customer service to clients accessing shelter and deliver services with safety, respect, and effectiveness.
• Provide clear and specific information to clients regarding expectations, program activities, and schedule during orientation and as needed.
• Assist in resolving conflicts using de‑escalation skills and trauma‑informed practices.
• Provide immediate and professional response to any security/safety emergency or disturbance within or immediately outside the facility, following appropriate policies and procedures.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe facility, identifying and addressing special needs and/or referring needs to a supervisor.
• Utilize a trauma‑informed approach when managing difficult client behaviors.
• Answer phones, greet clients, volunteers, donors, and other visitors in a friendly and professional manner, and aid as needed.
• Utilize the onsite supervisor and on‑call system for guidance and support, and follow appropriate protocol for covering shifts in the event of illness, vacation, or other time off.
• Ensure all paperwork related to client and program activities is in accordance with licensing and contract requirements, properly completed, managed confidentially, and stored appropriately.
• Use agency vehicles to complete errands and to provide safe transportation for clients when necessary.
• Attend work as scheduled and arrive at the designated time; work must be performed on‑site due to the need to provide direct client care.
• Complete rounds and perimeter checks of interior and exterior of the building.
• Maintain cleanliness of shared workspace, facility, vehicles, and center laundry.
• May assist the Client Engagement team by working with clients on creating a housing plan upon intake if other staff are unavailable.
• Assist other shifts with waking clients or getting them to bed as necessary.
• Maintain positive, professional interactions with community resources including staff from other VOA programs, emergency services, other community providers, client family members, agency donors, community support groups, and referral sources.
• Perform other functions as necessary or assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two years of social services or homelessness‑related experience, or any combination of education, experience, and training that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record, and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
• Must be able to pass Utah‑DHS Office of Licensing background screening and pre‑employment drug screen.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care and Housing First philosophies and willingness to incorporate them in daily work.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively and handle difficult situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Possess basic computer skills.
• Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact professionally with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
• Willingness to accept supervision and direction.

Benefits

• Low‑cost medical with health savings account, dental, and vision coverage for full‑time employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%) for all employees.
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees.
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
• Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer‑paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

Schedule

Schedule: Grave, swing, and day shift