Shelter Support Relief Staff – Residential Programs (E)

About the role

The Residential Relief position provides "as needed coverage" to the Residential, Youth and Emergency Services (RYES) Residential programs. The programs under Residential Relief purview serve multiple populations in different programs: a Safe Haven for chronically homeless women with mental health concerns, a family shelter, a respite program, a Grant Per Diem program for Veteran Families and unaccompanied individuals, and a shelter for older women. Service modalities for all programs under RYES include Housing First Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, and Crisis De-escalation.

Responsibilities

• Ensures that the program participants' voices are heard, and when appropriate, the participants' ideas play a prominent role in programming.
• Responsible for possessing an in-depth knowledge regarding program requirements, including the referral process, support services, and field-relevant best practices.
• Demonstrates knowledge of participant-specific resources, a passion for serving the population and people experiencing homelessness, and the ability to contribute to the program-wide objectives of a diverse and dynamic team.
• Carefully coordinates with the entire team to deliver services most appropriate to meet the needs of the participants.
• Clearly documents all participant interactions along with required eligibility and demographic information.
• Develops specialized knowledge related to service delivery database systems within the organization including Service Point and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Maintains physical and emotional safety of all program participants in the facility.
• Manages the milieu and addresses any program participant conflicts immediately to de-escalate. Will contact emergency personnel as necessary and will accurately and adequately complete any reports or documentation required.
• Serves as a resource for analyzing and solving problems and stays abreast of current issues and theories within the field.
• Oversees and participates in general program facility maintenance such as assisting in cooking, cleaning, supplying linen and personal items, conducting building walk-throughs, enforcing rules, checking chore completion, setting and checking alarms, etc.
• Supports team members by serving as a resource for analyzing and solving problems and staying abreast of current issues and theories within the field.
• Aids in the training and supervision of volunteers during shifts worked.
• Maintains regular front desk duties that include but are not limited to answering phone calls, taking messages, implementing participant intakes, accepting donations, handling mail, handing out bus passes and/or tickets, if applicable to the program.
• Attends quarterly Residential Relief team meetings.
• Serves as a mentor to junior personnel to develop knowledge and experience regarding best practice standards within their workgroup.
• May be responsible for training staff members assigned to the shift being covered.
• Performs job responsibilities in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associates degree in a related area or the equivalent experience in human services.
• One-year direct human service experience (on top of degree or human services experience equivalency).
• Good organizational and planning skills; works well as part of a team and independently.
• Complete program credentialing process, to include criminal and civil background checks within 30 days of hire and fingerprinting.
• Willing to obtain first aid, automated external defibrillator (AED) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications and Narcan utilization training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, severe and persistent mental health concerns, and case management experience.
• Residential experience and/or milieu management.
• Crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge and skills:
  • Good written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • High level of competency working with Microsoft Office suite and cloud-based applications.
  • Strong time-management and prioritization skills.
  • Experience working both independently and, in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
  • Strong organizational skills.