Residential Service Advocate

Job Title: Residential Services Advocate

Program: House of Bread and Peace Emergency Shelter

Reports To: House of Bread and Peace ES Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly

JOB SUMMARY: The Residential Services Advocate (RSA) represents the core values and mission of ECHO Housing and Community Development. RSAs provide education, guidance, support, and maintenance of the daily functions of the emergency shelter program to guests, community partners, volunteers, donors, and fellow team members. RSAs are a critical component to the 24-hour support provided by the House of Bread and Peace Emergency Shelter (HBP).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Nurtures and cultivates an equitable, supportive, inclusive, diverse and engaging house and work culture.

2. Ensures all house guests receive proper intake and orientation into the program and an individual plan is developed aimed at successful exit to permanent housing.

3. Rapport building with individuals experiencing crisis/trauma using trauma-informed care and de-escalation models

4. Acts as a mandatory reporter and engage with the Department of Child Services in the event of any suspected child abuse or neglect.

5. Ensures all required programming data and outcomes, as well as client file documentation (including electronic client database) is completed accurately and in a timely manner according to standards.

6. Works with staff, volunteers and vendors to ensure the good care, cleanliness and maintenance of the facility and grounds; assesses facility needs and communicates those needs to leadership.

7. Ensures bedrooms are clean and prepared according to “turnover” process. Keeps common house spaces tidy, clean, and maintained.

8. Courteously handles and documents calls and requests for services utilizing appropriate community resources and referrals and internal intake processes.

9. Follows safety and security protocols of the grounds and facility through the established procedures and maintenance of the visitor log. Responds to all security, weather, and facility emergencies, as needed.

10. Communicates pertinent information and incidents with other staff via shift logs in a professional and confidential manner.

11. Maintains confidentiality with all clients, staff and donor information and activities.

12. Assists with assigned cleaning, clerical duties, projects, assignments, etc. that may need to be completed.

13. Accepts and logs in-kind donations as they are received from outside resources. Organizing, distributing, and/or transporting when necessary

14. Identifies opportunities for volunteer and community partnership resources and communicates these prospects to the HBP Program Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty according to the requirements of the House of Bread and Peace. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES:

Person-Centered – Possess the ability of acknowledging and appreciating the uniqueness of each person, and in particular the strengths each person comes with, allows for a low-barrier, housing-focused shelter to customize an approach to service for each person. The shelter guest is empowered to make decisions that they believe are in their best interests related to moving forward with housing access and life stability.

Equipment Knowledge- This position requires a general understanding of office and home equipment use. Ability to operate a computer, printer, copy machine, scanner and other office equipment is desired. Ability to operate, and educate on the use of, common household appliances including oven/stove, microwave, washer/dryer, and thermostats.

Professional Boundaries- Possess the ability to maintain proper boundaries with clients while having empathy during a guest’s housing crisis. The ability to maintain rapport with a diverse group of clients, employees and service providers while keeping access to personal information separate is essential.

Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.

Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Advocate and model the use of equipment and materials properly.

Language/Communication Skill: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Understanding use of other forms of communication when language is a barrier.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

EXPERIENCE: Minimal education of High School Diploma/GED/HSE or in lieu of education, experience working in a customer service-oriented environment. Preference given to past lived/worked experience in homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, and other vulnerable populations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently will stand; walk; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee occasionally will climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8 – 20 per week

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Night shift
• Overnight shift
• Rotating weekends
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15