Direct Support Staff Supervisor- MH

Direct Support Staff Supervisor- IPH Mercy House

Type: Full Time

Location: Mercy House

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Shelter Manager

Hourly Rate: $24.00 per hour

Agency Mission

In recognition of the dignity and value of every human life, the mission of Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH) is to address the needs of the homeless and low-income community by providing a continuum of services to encourage self-sufficiency, empowerment, and stability.

Position Summary

IPH’s shelters in Albany serve individuals experiencing homelessness along with a broad range of other challenges, including poverty, mental health and substance use disorders, medical challenges, and legal issues. IPH’s Direct Support Staff oversee the operation of the shelters and provide supportive services to shelter guests on the evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays.

The full-time Direct Support Staff Supervisor position assists the Shelter Manager with scheduling, onboarding, and training of Direct Support Staff, in addition to general duties assigned to Direct Support Staff. To successfully fulfill the requirements of this position, a flexible schedule and availability to be onsite during various shifts in a given week (9am-5pm, 5pm-1am, 1am-9am) is required. A specific schedule will be determined upon hire.

In addition to carrying out the general duties of Direct Support Staff, the Supervisor is expected to establish and uphold a standard of professionalism and teamwork. The Supervisor will exhibit leadership and will display a solid understanding of shelter processes in order to effectively train, role model, and motivate Direct Support Staff to create a safe and therapeutic environment and provide effective services to shelter guests.

Principle Responsibilities, Accountabilities, & Duties:

Guest Support

• Engage guests using active listening, empathy, and patience
• Develop understanding of individual guest needs
• Provide information about shelter services and communicate shelter expectations
• Support guests with independent daily living skills such as making beds, cleaning, and laundry
• Manage interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings between guests
• Implement de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques, and respond effectively to emergency situations

Providing Access to Shelter Services

• Prepare and serve meals and snacks for guests
• Distribute needed items to shelter guests, including linens, pillows, hygiene products, locks, and cleaning supplies
• Distribute mail to shelter guests
• Label and store guests’ belongings in secure storage room and provide access to belongings as needed
• Supervise use of secure laundry room and laundry machines
• Supervise guests' use of secure medication storage and supervise guests’ self- administration of medication

Oversight of Shelter Facility

• Accept after-hours referrals to the shelter by phone and facilitate the admission process for new shelter guests, including completing intake paperwork and training Direct Support Staff to complete Intakes
• Complete required documentation, including Shift Notes, Incident Reports, and rounds/bed check forms and ensure the accuracy of such documents completed by Direct Support Staff
• Communicate any after-hours guest needs to the Shelter Case Managers and/or Shelter Manager
• Oversee accuracy of the shelter census
• Ensure the security and safety of the building and shelter guests by completing regular (minimum hourly) rounds, monitor security cameras, monitor entrances, and answer the doorbell and educate, train, and role model the above skills for Shelter Direct Support Staff
• Provide support and a welcoming environment to community volunteers and donors 
• Maintain a neat and clean environment by sweeping and mopping, dusting, and wiping down surfaces, cleaning and organizing linens, emptying trash cans, and keeping storage areas tidy
• Use universal precautions to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials

Leadership

• Provide training and support to the Direct Support Staff; conduct on-the-job training on policies and procedures for providing guests with access to shelter services and day-to-day operations, conduct employee check-ins to ensure they feel supported and heard, to offer guidance, and to see if there are any shelter issues to report.
• Model appropriate interactions with guests to cultivate an emotionally and physically welcoming, safe, and supportive environment
• Ensure efficient shelter operations, including after-hour admissions and discharges
• Implement crisis intervention techniques and respond effectively to emergency situations
• Respond to after-hours needs of staff and guests, primarily over the phone, as part of rotating on-call duties
• Develop the shelter schedules for Direct Support Staff at least two weeks in advance Complete payroll for Direct Support Staff
• Respond to staff call-outs and identify potential coverage for unfilled shifts; provide back-up coverage for unfilled shifts as needed
• In collaboration with the Shelter Manager, the Direct Support Staff Supervisor with assist with completing employee evaluations, written warnings, and performance improvement plans as needed.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all areas; written, spoken, and observed communication
• Advocate for safe and effective policies and practices

Professional Development

• Participate in staff trainings, including First Aid, CPR, and Naloxone, as well as track Direct Support Staff attendance and re-certification needs
• Participate in meetings with the Shelter Manager and/or Program Director and monthly shelter team meetings
• Attend and participate in agency wide staff meetings, leadership meetings, and leadership trainings

Qualifications

• Experience in a human service setting and/or experience working with individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use, and homelessness preferred
• Sensitive to the needs of the homeless community
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with Windows and Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, and Word 
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to lift 25lbs

Physical Requirements

This work requires the following physical activities: climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, lifting up to 30 lbs., finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing, and visual acuity.

Qualifications

• Case management experience: knowledge of evidence-based practices such as trauma-informed approaches and harm-reduction approaches preferred
• Sensitive to the needs of homeless and other underserved populations
• Strong working knowledge of local resources or able and willing to learn on the job
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Detail oriented & organized
• Strong written and computer skills
• Clean, valid New York State Driver’s License, must meet and maintain IPH’s insurance standards for insurability

Salary & Benefits Information

• Hourly position starting at $24.00 /hour
• Employer-sponsored health insurance available
• Generous paid time off
• 401(K) with employer match available after 1 year of employment.

IPH provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Night shift
• Overnight shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24