ATX IHou ARCH Guest Services Practitioner

Duties and Responsibilities:

Position Specific:

• Conduct intake with new guests and provide an orientation to the facility and community guidelines.
• Greet guests warmly as the enter the facility and check them in and out according to site policies.
• If required by a pandemic or other concerns conduct symptom checks of everyone entering the facility.
• Inform everyone entering the facility of the policy forbidding weapons; store any items that are not allowed in the facility.
• Check personal belongings as needed and in accordance with Urban Alchemys policies and procedures.
• Coordinate guest placements within the site location and track available beds.
• Distribute and coordinate basic needs items and services for guests such as meals laundry linens toiletries bus passes locker assignments and mail.
• Effectively communicate information about onsite services and amenities.
• Provide information and referrals to services in the community.
• Answer calls and inperson questions responding with courtesy compassion respect and dignity.
• Provide emotional support to guests and other people experience homelessness.
• Maintain a working knowledge of safety measures and tools including emergency plans.
• Monitor all entrances to the premises to ensure that no unauthorized individuals enter premises.
• Monitor cameras and address any issues observed in accordance with site policies and procedures.
• Perform ongoing interior and perimeter checks to ensure the facility is clean and secure.
• Perform regular wellness checks to ensure guests have not succumbed to or medical conditions.
• Use harm reduction principles and traumainformed care when engaging with guests.
• Help address stressful situations by assessing the cause determining the appropriate response and deescalating conflicts or heightened emotions in accordance with Urban Alchemys best practices.
• Work collaboratively with other team members and person in crisis to quickly assess the needs of individuals experiencing mental health crisis and respond accordingly.
• Respond to health emergencies as needed contacting 911 providing firstaid administering Narcan for opioid reversals and taking other steps in accordance with Urban Alchemys policies.
• Know and adhere to Urban Alchemys critical incident policies including reporting requirements.
• Day to day maintenance of record keeping incident reporting and updating guest files.

• Maintain timely and thorough administrative and guest records in accordance with site policies.
• Engage with surrounding neighbors and other stakeholders to maintain a good community relations.
• Practice selfawareness and cultural humility as member of diverse team; be conscientious and sensitive to power and other interpersonal dynamics with other team members.

Project Specific:

• Help prepare rooms for meetings and special events.
• Support custodial staff and food services staff as needed.
• Assist with laundry according to site policies and procedures.
• Enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Work flexible hours and/or shifts weekends and oncall shifts.
• Will support all staff with meeting the needs of guests.

• Will work primarily at the ARCH but may be assigned to work any Urban Alchemy location.
• Must always wear an Urban Alchemy uniform and ID badge.
• Lead Guest Services Practitioner will also assist with scheduling and supervision.

General:

• Will treat all Urban Alchemy guests staff and stakeholders with compassion and respect.
• Use emotional intelligence to effectively engage and connect with others.
• Adhere to established procedures to provide a safe working environment including complying with OSHA state and local regulations as well as Urban Alchemys policies.
• Attend orientation and any additional training required by Urban Alchemy or our funders.
• Must wear an Urban Alchemy uniform and ID badge.
• Must carry all required safety and communications equipment.
• Follow all Urban Alchemys policies and procedures including all safety guidelines.
• Will complete other duties as assigned in service to our guests and stakeholders.

Position Requirements:

Position Specific:

• Maintain ethical and professional standards and boundaries.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Work well in a team environment with diverse populations while providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to work in a highstress dynamic environment while maintaining a calm demeanor.
• Ability to listen actively and communicate information and resources based on the guests needs.
• Understands barriers that guests might be facing to advocate for them as needed.
• Ability to read understand and follow instructions procedures safety procedures.
• Willing to execute tasks in a timely fashion.

• Communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to comfortably interact with guests and staff.
• Time management skills to coordinate complex tasks in the most efficient manner.
• 1 years working in a similar position preferred
• High school diploma GED or professional training preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Project Specific:

• General knowledge and ability to use computers to enter data into HMIS.

General:

• Must be prepared to deal with challenging circumstances related to serving people struggling with poverty mental health addiction and/or homelessness.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain background clearance based on Urban Alchemys policies.
• Requires the ability to use a smart phone or tablet to enter data.
• Excellent at being reliable punctual and dependable.
• Must by 18 years of age or older.
• Lived experience with incarceration and/or homelessness strongly preferred.
• Drivers license and a good driving record preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Staff are expected to work in all weather conditions.
• Physical stamina to handle a full shift of being active and working on the building.
• Work may involve exposure to unusual elements such as extreme temperatures dirt dust fumes smoke unpleasant odors and/or loud noises.
• Must be able to assist physically disabled guests if there are mobility issues.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25lbs.
• Standing: 36 hours per day.
• Walking: 36 hours per day.
• Sitting: less than 36 hours per day.
• Bending at Waist: less than 3 hours per day.

Statement of Nondiscrimination:

Urban Alchemy shares a special bond with societys most vulnerable because we see ourselves in their struggle. When doing our work we recognize the humanity in those who are struggling and treat them how we once wished others had treated us. People who have been incarcerated experienced homelessness and/or come from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply because we believe they have unique skills and abilities to engage with people who are struggling. Urban Alchemy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment 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. Urban Alchemy prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

How to Apply: