Shelter Specialist, Outreach

Schedule:

• Sat & Sun: 5:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Mon: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Wed & Fri: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Job Summary: The Shelter Specialist, Outreach is a homeless shelter specialist tasked with common cleaning, logistics, and service-oriented job duties within the shelter, as well as a specific assignment of street-outreach duties during specific hours and days each week.

While performing outreach duties, this person will address homeless issues and neighborhood concerns in an area directly surrounding one of Mercy House’s homeless shelters and serve as a point-of-contact for the program to the surrounding community.

The main role of this position is to engage with nearby homeless persons on the streets, as well as with neighboring homeowners or businesses and promote safety and cleanliness in the immediate vicinity. The Outreach Specialist will provide referral and resource support to identified homeless individuals and be responsible for reporting daily on the state of the local homeless population and contacts met while on patrol.

Key Functions: The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The Outreach Specialist will provide direct shelter support any time they are scheduled to provide logistics, and any time they are unable to complete outreach activities due to not enough staff (Outreach shifts require a minimum of two staff). Shelter Support activities will include but are not limited to:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Shelter Support

Goal: Ensure a safe and client focused environment for guests to quickly end their homelessness.

• Assist in the implementation of shelter activities to ensure quality, guest focused, and trauma informed delivery of services
• Encourage and discuss progress toward housing with shelter guest
• Assist with shelter setup and maintenance
• Assist with general cleanliness and safety of facilities including emptying trash cans and cleaning-up spills
• Assist with receiving and verifying orders from vendors, completing tally sheets
• Post and update signs and service calendars
• Audio Equipment set up and monitoring
• Assist in the organization of supplies and facilities needs
• Conduct neighborhood patrols to minimize potential impact on the surrounding community

Administration
Goal: Oversee administrative duties that support program services

• Assist with keeping detailed daily summary sheets
• Assist with record keeping and reporting

Miscellaneous

• Assist with guest services and program activities if necessary
• Complete ad hoc projects as appointed by Supervisor

Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple case management and health needs.
• Ability to perform crisis intervention as needed
• Ability to complete job duties that are guest focused, trauma informed, and housing focused.

General

• A flexible work schedule including some schedule changes, some weekends, and evening shifts to meet the department’s needs
• Detail-oriented and computer proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel required
• Self-motivated, the ability to manage a high volume of emails, work independently and with a group
• The ability to communicate clearly, effectively both in written and verbal form as well as respectfully are mandatory skills
• Multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Navigate urgent matters while upholding a degree of flexibility
• Work effectively with a diverse population
• Rapid prioritization
• Speak effectively before landlords and/or small groups
• Knowledgeable about fair housing and legal concerns to advocate for the organization and the clients we serve

Physical Requirements

• Enter units with program staff as needed
• Answer and respond to phone queries
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift/push/pull up to 50 pounds at times

Core Competencies:

• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, recognizing the diverse interconnectedness of individuals and communities
• Compassion: Demonstrate empathy and understanding towards others, acknowledging their interconnectedness and inherent worth
• Humility: Recognize one’s own place within the larger interconnected web of humanity, showing openness to learning from others and acknowledging the contributions of all
• Build Trust: Excel in building and maintaining trust within teams and across organizational levels, consistently demonstrating integrity and honesty in communication, actions, and decision-making
• Accountability: Take responsibility for actions, admits mistakes, and continuously strives for self-improvement, and encourages a learning mindset within the organization
• Continuous Improvement: Commit to personal and professional development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and encourages a learning mindset within the organization
• Communication: Excel in communicating clearly and persuasively through verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, conveying complex ideas with clarity, and fostering open dialogue across all levels of the organization
• Confidence: Exhibit courage in making bold decisions, taking action in the face of uncertainty, and embracing calculated risks on behalf of constituents
• Critical Thinking: Possess the ability to critically analyze existing policies related to homelessness and constructively advocate for changes that address systemic injustices
• Collaboration: Build and foster positive relationships with diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, coworkers, community organizations, and affected communities and effectively working toward the shared goal of ending homelessness
• Drive Change: Understand and embodies that every action is an opportunity to be innovative and draw ideas from others. Implements valuable change to forward our mission and shares the “why’s” behind changes

Mercy House is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States. Please click on the following links for more information.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English & Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf)

E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English & Spanish (https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster Eng_Es.pdf)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20