Shelter Advocate

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Agate Housing and Services is an innovative and collaborative nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We progress toward this goal by providing emergency services shelter and housing programs for individuals and families. We meet people experiencing homelessness where they are and accompany them on their journey to safe stable housing and a healthier life. We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Agate Housing and Services values are:

Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing even if it isnt the popular thing.

Equity: Fighting the status quo by actively examining and changing the way things are done to better represent the people who are most impacted by homelessness and hunger.

Humanity: Understanding how these issues impact us the community our staff and the people we work with as a collective and developing relationships by establishing trust when we put in work to understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Creativity: Responding to the needs of the community with innovative and unique solutions.

Agate Housing and Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AAE offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits including; medical insurance employer paid dental and life insurance short term disability 4 weeks of paid time off in the first year of employment and a 401k retirement savings with an employer match.

POSITION DESCRIPTION & OVERVIEW

Title: Shelter Advocate

Reports To: Shelter Program Manager

Shifts Include: Day shift 8am4pm)

Evening Shift 3p11p) and rotating

and weekends holiday or overnight obligation

Compensation: $23.42 depending on qualifications

Job Classification: Hourly NonExempt 40 Hours/Week

Union Representation: This position is represented by the AFSCME Local 999

Outreach and Shelter Department Overview

The Outreach and Shelter Department supports single adults through our emergency response programs which include Shelter Street Outreach and the Welcome Center. Our team works with individuals across the full spectrum of homelessness from those newly experiencing homelessness to those who have been chronically homeless. The primary goal of these programs is to provide the necessary partnership problem solving and connection to resources to help individuals secure safe and dignified housing and to keep episodes of homelessness brief.

Job Summary:

The Shelter Advocate plays a critical role in supporting shelter guests on their path to stable housing by using a harm reduction framework and progressive engagement techniques. This position focuses on delivering proactive highquality services that prioritize both the quantity and effectiveness of daily interactions with guests. The Shelter Advocate serves as a role model for both clients and coworkers demonstrating best practices in engagement problemsolving and service delivery. Through compassionate and goaloriented support this position helps make Agate Shelter an exceptional place where individuals gain the tools and motivation to secure safe and stable housing. This position is in ratio on the shelter floor regularly where engagement takes place.

This role requires flexibility in scheduling including daytime weekend and occasional overnight shifts to ensure clients receive the support they need. Additionally the Shelter Advocate will participate in a rotating oncall schedule to provide emergency coverage for both shelter locations.

This role is ideal for individuals who are passionate about housingfocused solutions advocacy and providing compassionate support to those experiencing homelessness.

Housing Focused Advocacy and Support 50 of workload

• Employ a progressive engagement framework to customize support to meet the unique needs of each individual or household evaluating what works best for them by considering their specific strengths and circumstances.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments including the Coordinated Entry Assessment to determine the needs and eligibility of individuals staying in shelter ensuring accurate and thorough data collection to facilitate appropriate housing referrals.
• Use motivational interviewing and problemsolving conversations to empower guests in setting and achieving housing goals.
• Apply harm reduction strategies to meet guests where they are and support them in making safer choices.
• Engage in proactive outreach within the shelter to ensure all guests have an actionable housing plan.
• Assist guests with housing applications rental searches and overcoming barriers to housing.
• Track progress on housingrelated goals ensuring timely followup and accountability.
• Transport guests to housingrelated appointments and assist in completing essential errands necessary for securing housing such as obtaining IDs visiting rental properties or meeting with landlords.
• Provide information and referrals to clients to access essential services such as medical care mental health support and other basic needs.

Proactive Shelter Services 10 of workload

• Maintain a high volume of daily interactions with guests to encourage participation in services.
• Ensure that all interactions and interventions contribute to both the quantity and quality of services provided.
• Regularly check in with guests providing encouragement and support in moving toward housing stability.
• Actively engage guests in available resources workshops and case management services.

Administrative Duties & Documentation 20 of workload

• Facilitate collection and maintenance of required daily shelter documentation including intakes bed assignments data collection and input into online databases and shift log entries.
• Attend meetings with other housing and support services organizations and skills trainings as needed.
• Create and maintain client files case notes and other supporting documentation following agency policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and supervisory onetoone meetings.
• Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.

Shelter Operations Crisis Intervention Conflict Resolution and Safety 10 of workload

• Provide immediate support to guests in crisis using deescalation techniques.
• Foster a safe and respectful shelter environment by addressing conflicts in a professional and solutionfocused manner.
• Work collaboratively with team members to identify and address behavioral concerns while maintaining a housingfocused approach
• Ensure adherence to shelter policies and procedures while treating guests with dignity and respect.
• Conduct regular rounds to assess the shelter environment providing support and intervention as needed.
• Document all interactions progress and incidents promptly and accurately.
• Work collaboratively with shelter staff to ensure a high standard of shelter operations and guest services.

Role Modeling & Team Collaboration 5 of workload

• Serve as a leader and role model for both guests and coworkers by demonstrating professionalism motivation and a commitment to housingfocused services.
• Support a culture of continuous improvement and teamwork encouraging staff and guests to strive for their goals.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to strengthen skills in harm reduction motivational interviewing and traumainformed care.

Other Duties (as assigned) 10 of workload

• Engage with volunteers to make sure their experience is positive.
• Ensure daily program routines and procedures including meal service occur at scheduled times.
• Perform housekeeping and light maintenance tasks as needed and appropriate.
• Make sure the office and program spaces are kept tidy.
• Respond to voicemails emails and other communication promptly.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with clients and colleagues.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

Light to medium work Frequent standing with some sitting. Occasionally exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely;
• Have experience with Microsoft Office products; and
• Pass background check.

In addition successful applicants will embrace the following perspective skills and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services values and mission of ending homelessness and relieving hunger through action and advocacy.
• Commitment to working towards an antiracist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients coworkers and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race ethnicity gender identity sexual orientation socioeconomic status and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care client centered care and strengthsbased approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills a strong attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently and accurately competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Experience that gives applicants the required skills abilities and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness;
• Experience working interning or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness;
• An Associates or Bachelors degree in a relevant field such as Social Work or Human Services.

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. However if you have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years this will make you ineligible for employment.

This position requires use of your own personal vehicle for Agency business and will be required to maintain liability insurance coverage of at least $100000 per person and $300000 per occurrence. In addition to criminal background studies applicants must have a valid Drivers License and pass a driving record background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with Coordinated Entry systems
• Experience with HMIS
• Knowledge of supportive and lowincome housing resources
• Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals we serve (Spanish Oromo Somali Amharic)
• Experience working in settings with all genders

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Visit and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under Apply Now and you will be directed to the full application where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you have previously created an account to apply for a position at Agate Housing and Services log in to your account before attempting to apply for another position.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls please.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employees actively participate in various committees that give voice to staff to create active participation and involvement in shaping the future of our agency.

Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color indigenous people persons with disabilities and LGBTQ individuals.