Partners for Housing
Job Description

Shelter Housing Advocate – St. Peter

GENERAL ROLE DESCRIPTION:
The Shelter Housing Advocate will be responsible for supporting and providing case management services for participants within Partners for Housing (P4H) programs, as well as: Maintain an active case load striving to meet with each family/individual on a regular basis per program guidelines; Provide advice and assistance to family units needing to access community-based programs and services; Promote a team-based environment of support, collaboration and encouragement where staff contributions are valued; Model professionalism, positivity and be a champion of our mission.

STATUS: Full-Time – 40 hours per week

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: The essential functions include but are not limited to:

Shelter Case Management:

• Enable an environment that will provide transitional shelter stays, safe sleep, create and support initiatives to help guests address barriers, and provide coordinated support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community.
• Provide assessment, case planning, housing advocacy, tenant education, and case management services to individuals and families accepted into the shelter and other P4H program(s).
• Work as part of a team with other P4H professionals to provide each client household with the resources, skills and knowledge to become self-sufficient and prevent future episodes of homelessness.
• Facilitate and monitor guest recordkeeping including shelter stay and exit, violations of guidelines, attendance and more.
• Document conversations with guests and other staff in a thorough and organized manner.
• Ensure through on-going or time specific case management services as defined by the needs of the families enrolled in the program, that families have access to needed resources and services to maintain their housing stability and receive support for problem solving, child care, health care, clinical care, transportation, life skills training, money management, and crisis intervention.
• Be familiar with available community resources that will enhance the lives of the clients. Make referrals or perform advocacy functions with agencies as applicable.
• Document client progress in a timely manner for entry into the Homeless Information Management System (HMIS)
• Play a key role in providing input, planning and facilitating programming to benefit guests.
• Move donations or guests’ belongings, including furniture and other items, with assistance from other staff members, as needed
• Transport guests as needed
• Fill in for peers or direct reports when they are away, to ensure seamless support of guests

Facilities and Operational Activities:

• Collaborate with the Shelter Manager and Director of Compliance for optimum alignment of duties and guest support.
• Monitor facility to maintain a clean and safe environment for guests and staff.
• Educate and support guests in understanding and following shelter routines and guidelines.
• Adhere to shelter policy, procedures and professional code of ethics.
• Treat clients in a culturally sensitive manner, with a trauma-informed lens.
• Give input on rules and guidelines for houses, guests and staff as appropriate to create a safe, housing-focused and positive environment for all; ensure compliance.
• Facilitate and uphold the highest confidentiality and respect for guests and their personal information
• Ensure people not directly associated with the case management of a guest from being on property or within shelter houses, including those associated with staff.
• Provide crisis intervention when necessary
• Complete documentation as required
• Support secure key management system, by helping as needed with necessary changes
• Support security surveillance system
• Attend all regularly scheduled staff meetings and other meetings as assigned
• Perform all other duties as assigned or as needed

Organization/Communication Activities

• Work to establish and maintain a favorable public image and promote positive relationships by representing P4H within the local community and by collaborating with area partner agencies.
• Support organizational efforts to promote the work of P4H to support people experiencing homelessness due to low income and other barriers, create awareness of the homelessness issues in our community.
• Participate in Continuum of Care and Homelessness Response Team meetings
• Forward information regarding donations, volunteers, communications inquiries to the Office Manager
• Support co-workers and management by coordinating or assisting with events or create and facilitate events that support the shelters and organization
• Support grants management through collection of data and fulfilling requirements
• Propose solutions to issues and situations

Other Activities:
Other duties as assigned or needed

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Mission Ownership: Demonstrates understanding and full support of the mission, vision, and values of the shelter program; can demonstrate those values to others; consistently behaves in a manner congruent with the mission, vision, values and beliefs.
• Initiative: Has strong work ethic; is action oriented and energetic; seizes opportunities; sets demanding but achievable objectives for self.
• Integrity and Trust: Is seen as trustworthy by others; practices direct, honest and transparent communication; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t operate with hidden agendas; responds to situations with constancy and reliability.
• Interpersonal Skills: Establishes good working relationships with all others who are relevant to the completion of work; works well with people at all levels of the congregation; builds appropriate rapport; considers the impact of his/her actions on others; uses diplomacy and tact; is approachable; avoids communication triangles.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrates the technical skills required to proficiently execute the essential functions of the job.
• Time Management: Is able and willing to focus time on tasks that contribute to organizational goals; Uses time effectively and efficiently; values time and respects the time of others; concentrates his/her efforts on the most important priorities; can appropriately balance priorities.
• Process Management: Figures out the processes necessary to get things done; knows how to organize resources and activities; understands how to separate and combine tasks into efficient work flow; can see opportunities for synergy and integration; can simplify complex processes.
• Knowledge Seeking: Seek answers, research or talk to those in the know.
• Positive Attitude: Positivity is a must in all situations, even if there is difference of opinions or disagreement.
• Informal Leadership: Act as a role model for positive behavior, support and helping others be their best and do their best, even when they don’t report to you.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral health, human services, social services, non-profit management or related field required. Associate’s degree plus considerable equivalent experience working in behavioral health, human services, social services, non-profit management or related field will be considered.
• Previous experience working with those experiencing homelessness, in a shelter environment, or with people living in poverty preferred.
• 1-3 years experience with program management with a strong sense of planning, communication, evaluation and change management preferred
• 1-3 years experience in collaborating with other individuals or agencies to work towards a shared goal(s) required
• Strong verbal and written skills are mandatory; strong organizations skills, effective time management, attention to detail and ability to be self-motivated and disciplined
• Availability to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends is required; must be available to assume “on-call” responsibilities on a rotating basis
• Local travel required; must have a reliable vehicle, insurance and clean driving record
• Working knowledge of software applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook required
• Excellent administrative and communication skills (e.g., emails, case notes, organization).
• Must be a self-starter who can multi-task, able to prioritize and is highly flexible/adaptable.
• Must possess a heart for advocating for and supporting the low-income population.
• Respectfully, graciously, yet firmly hold guests and clients accountable to program rules.
• Must be adept at building relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
• Maintain excellent self-care routine.
• Must possess a passion for the mission of Partners for Housing.
• Ability to work effectively and constructively with persons from all ethnic, racial and social backgrounds.
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Must appreciate the value of diversity within a community.
• Provide fair and equitable support of all clients regardless of situation or behavior.
• Willing and able to accept feedback.
• Willing to have respectful crucial conversations with guests and other staff.
• Willing to mediate and perform conflict resolution
• Effectively uses motivational interviewing
• Willingness to grow through participation in continuing education
• Ability to maintain clear personal and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively and support others in constantly changing and sometimes demanding or chaotic environment.
• Experience working with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental illness. Act as an advocate for such popultations.
• Ability to respond calmly and reasonably in emergency and crisis situations.
• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing and follow detailed instructions.
• Strong computer experience with proficiency in databases Word, Excel and Outlook
• Must have valid driver license and good driving record
• Ability to accurately record information for required client and staff documentation.
• Ability to effectively interact with clients, co-workers, and volunteers with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and treat each individual with respect, dignity, and compassion.
• Ability to work outside of the typical Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. hours when work demands are present – including events, covering staff shifts, being accessible to clients, attendance at meetings.
• Capable of pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or carrying up to 25 pounds.
• Able to sit or stand for extended periods. Work involves walking and running, talking and hearing to exchange information, and using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. Able to perform cleaning duties as need arises
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Noise level in work environment is generally low to moderate.
• Safe driving record, and willingness to abide by State Laws for self and passengers.
• CPR/First Aid certified or willingness to secure these certifications after hire.
• Must be able to pass background check

DISCLAIMER:
Partners for Housing reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description as needed to meet the needs of the agency. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship remains at-will. These job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• case management: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person