Family Advocate-Weekends

Description

Position Description  
Family Advocate-Weekend Days offer comforting and respectful hospitality, as well as support and resources to reach key goals essential for long-term success, for the families under their care and supervision. Additionally, Family Advocates actively create and maintain safe and caring environments at the shelter.

Primary duties include conversing with guest families, handing out supplies as needed, monitoring spaces so they are clean and safe, setting out a continental breakfast, preparing pre-made meals for lunch and dinner, setting out afternoon snacks, and guiding volunteer crews.

Project Home is an Essential Service that operates regardless of weather or disaster/emergency. Family Advocate-Weekend Days report to the Shelter Manager-Night.

Responsibilities
 

Hospitality

• Exercise leadership and vision to maintain a clean, safe, and pleasant environment for all participants.
• Serve as a first point-of-contact for emergencies and urgent questions; resolve as needed.
• Perform walk-throughs of all common areas of the shelter several times during each shift and perform needed remedial actions (tidy/sweep/mop/clean, open/close windows and shades, etc.).
• Perform daily safety checks (outlet covers, unplug unnecessary appliances, storage of cleaners/chemicals, water on bathroom floors, etc.) and resolve any safety concerns.
• Take immediate action to ensure clean up and disinfect bodily fluids emitted by participants.
• Clean and organize communal office workspaces.
• Assist with meal and snack preparation, dining room set-up, and clean-up, as needed.

Positive Participant Relationships

• Build a positive working relationship with all participants in order to identify needs and concerns, clarify rules, provide information, referrals, and peer support.
• Assist parents/guardians in applying for community resources; specifically with childcare subsidies, finding daycare, applying for Head Start/Early Start, enrolling in school, helping with school supplies, and navigating school transportation issues.
• Ensure adequate supervision of children by parents/guardians.
• Arrange for birthday and holiday celebrations for participants.
• Continuously seek out community resources that may be of value to our families; share knowledge with families and colleagues.
• Prepare and implement educational and fun activities for guests of all ages.
• Provide regular, weekly respite times for parents.
• Investigate and address problems that arise and facilitate conflict resolution. Document and report all significant problems or incidents. Report safety issues immediately.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with program participants, colleagues, and volunteers. Maintain program and participant confidentiality, including former participants, staff, and volunteers.

Program Administration

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues and volunteers.
• Work collaboratively with participant families to identify programming possibilities and work with colleagues and volunteers to organize activities to respond to those requests.
• Prepare for and attend all required staff, agency, and community meetings as necessary.
• Attend educational trainings as required to enhance professional knowledge base and skill.
• Assist in developing and revising policies and procedures for the program as needed.
• Assist with special events, when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience  

• Work a regular schedule, including some weekends and holidays.  
• Proven experience in family social service programming, with knowledge of local resources preferred. 
• Possess an acceptance and respect for cultural and faith diversity. Ability to work with and relate to people in a multi-cultural, educational environment. 
• A team player, demonstrate good listening and empathetic skills, as well as excellent time management and organizational skills. 
• Must be honest, dependable, and professional at all times; experience maintaining personal/professional boundaries. 
• Must exercise patience, understanding, creativity, and fairness with participants; manage personal stress constructively. 
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs. and climb stairs regularly. 
• Possess CPR, First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid certifications, or be willing to be trained and receive these certifications within one year of employment. 
• Personal commitment to the mission of Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul.  

Salary : $15