Overnight Support Specialist - The Layover (Thursdays-Mondays, 11:00 PM -7:30AM)

The Support Specialist role is based at The Layover, 9250 Airport Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045, and reports to the Program Manager.

About the Organization

The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. Formed in 2016 through a merger of OPCC and Lamp Community, we are one of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies. We provide a fully integrated system of care—including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing—tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.

We pride ourselves on:

• Being courageous leaders, taking action where others sit back
• Caring for others, treating every person with empathy and respect
• Upholding integrity, doing what is right even when no one is looking
• Working as an effective team, collaborating and supporting each other while pursuing excellence

Within our shelters, we:

• Create restorative living environments where clients can thrive while preparing for permanent housing
• Prioritize Diversity & Inclusion, creating safe spaces through cultural competency and humility
• Share “power with” clients, who are the experts in their own lives, rather than recreating punitive systems of control
• Believe deeply in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and the housing-first model

We value the following in our team members:

• Initiative: You stay active throughout your shift, find meaningful tasks, and contribute ideas to benefit clients and the program
• Critical thinking/problem solving: You gather information and formulate solutions, with your input valued by the team
• Tenacity: You overcome barriers and problem-solve to get the job done
• Respect towards others: You assess your own biases and contribute to a diverse and inclusive workspace
• Empathy: You see clients as people, avoid infantilizing them, and support them on their journeys

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point-of-contact for all immediate client needs and requests (e.g., phone use, linens, water)
• Monitor and oversee communal areas, patios, bathrooms, dorms, and showers to ensure program guidelines are upheld and the site is well-maintained and safe, including general cleaning duties
• Be visible on the floor at all times, actively engaging and welcoming clients
• Conduct regular, thorough walk-throughs of the facility
• Create a supportive environment to ensure client progress toward stability
• Attend relevant staff meetings, trainings, and retreats as scheduled
• Oversee client cubicle/bed area maintenance in a trauma-informed manner
• Facilitate client engagement activities, such as groups or other activities
• Complete incident reports, update shift logs, and document in HMIS as needed; email relevant documents/updates before the end of each shift
• Develop effective, trusting relationships with clients using a client-centered approach, including motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care
• Intervene during crises to de-escalate situations with client and staff safety in mind, using non-violent communication skills
• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive, integrated care to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and substance addiction
• Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with management, peers, and clients
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times, following agency, state, and HIPAA laws
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in related work
• Effective customer service skills and the ability to handle difficult situations
• Ability to work independently and think critically
• Ability to communicate in a language other than English is strongly preferred but not required
• Professionalism regardless of circumstances
• Commitment to improving the community through empowerment and dignity
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention
• Familiarity with issues faced by the population served
• Ability to self-motivate and appropriately organize and motivate others
• Computer literacy; ability to use computerized database systems for information management
• Ability to work as a team member
• Able to obtain and maintain Food Handlers, CPR, and First Aid certification
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative toward continued professional development

Work Environment

• Office environment with occasional field activities with participants and staff
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend, and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds
• May be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise, and odor
• May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day

Schedule

Thursdays through Mondays, 11:00 PM – 7:30 AM

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Planning (403b) with employer matching
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• TELUS Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Corporate Discounts: Hotels, theme parks, concerts, movies, restaurants, and more
• The People Concern University & Certificates