Description:
We are seeking a responsible and energetic individual with a passion for serving families at our 24-hour shelter locations. Family & Shelter Advocates work with parents and children experiencing homelessness and in need of a safe refuge. General responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating shelter activities, providing care and crisis management, facilitating a set program schedule, maintaining a clean environment, and offering acceptance and hope.
Family & Shelter Advocates actively engage in Mary's Place equity work-striving for racially equitable outcomes and taking responsibility for creating, maintaining, and affirming communities for people of color, immigrants and refugees, trans and gender-non-conforming people, and other populations who routinely encounter systemic oppressions. As an equal opportunity employer, people of color are encouraged to apply.
This full-time, non-exempt position is located at our downtown Seattle site (The Glen).
The schedule available for this position is:
Thursday to Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (36 hours)
The hourly wage is $25.00/hour DOE.
Key Responsibilities
Guest Relations (40%)
Lead Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA) check-ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter.
Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services.
Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high-quality shelter services.
Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries.
Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma-informed crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team-based, solution-oriented approach to the work; and high-quality service delivery.
Shelter Operations & Procedures (30%)
Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment-disinfect high-touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling; etc.
Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation.
Move around the facility and maintain an active and engaging presence around shelter.
Record and report any building/facility concerns.
Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings
Implementation of Guest Enrichment Programming (15%)
Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our guests. Provide feedback to Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness of programming and ideas for improvement.
Welcome and help orient volunteers to the space and their roles; actively engage volunteer in shelter activities
Data Entry and Information Management (15%)
Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, and accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation
Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality
Maintain up to date community resources as provided by other program teams, and make them easily accessible to guests
This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position, the level of knowledge and skills typically required, and the general scope of responsibility. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities and should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals will perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Skills/Qualifications
Prior experience as a Shelter Advocate is strongly preferred
Two or more years of work or volunteer experience in a social services setting, OR one or more years of social services experience combined with one or more years of customer service experience
Experience working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is highly preferred
Passion for and demonstrated experience working with children and families is preferred
Demonstrated creative problem solving, conflict de-escalation, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills
Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care
Ability to set appropriate boundaries and maintain professional demeanor in a high stress environment
Highly motivated, self-starter, resourceful, flexible, and possesses a positive attitude
Exhibits compassion and empathy; works well with parents and children from all racial, ethnic, social, economic, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds
Ability to access and produce information on a computer and within Microsoft Suite, and to create documentation in the database system in an accurate and timely way
Strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening (communication) skills
Strong organizational and time management skills
Sensitivity to the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness, low-income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse, or other barriers to employment and housing
Able to proficiently speak, read, write, and understand English.
Proficiency in another language is preferred, particularly in Portuguese, Amharic, Spanish, Lingala, Oromo, French, Russian, Tigrinya, or Marshallese.
Willingness to take a TB test within 30 days of hire
Physical Requirements
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.
Ability to converse with and listen to people in many different settings
Ability to use a computer and telephone, as well as other standard office equipment
Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis
Ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds
Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required
Travel to program sites and meetings outside the site and around the county is necessary
Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs
In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department.
Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. Mary's Place will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship to Mary's Place would result.
Details
In addition, Mary's Place offers the following benefits to full-time staff:
Medical and dental insurance with the cost for core employee coverage paid at 100% by the company and competitive family ratesBasic Life Insurance of $50,000 at no cost to employee; option to buy up for additional coverage403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% employee contribution. Eligible to participate upon hire; eligible for the match after first year of employment.Unlimited use ORCA pass for a small deduction per pay period9 days paid time off (PTO) each calendar year (accrued by pay period)9 days of sick time each calendar year (accrued by pay period)9 days of flexible floating holidays each calendar year (accrued 40 hours on January 1st and 40 hours on July 1st). Prorated based on date of hire for first year of employment.Employee Assistance Program
Mary's Place is an equal opportunity employer.
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