HS SUPPORT STAFF

Company name: Interfaith Works

Hours: Up to 35 hours per week

Shift Possibility: Days (7:00am-3:30pm), Evening (3:00pm-11:30pm), Nights (11:00pm-7:30am), Weekends, Holidays

Location: Olympia Washington

Pay: $19.50 starting rate with annual raises

Pay Days: Twice a month on 5th & 20th

Benefits Provided

Holidays – 9 per year

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance - Free for employees working 25 hours and above (Begin on the 1st day of the month following 60-day probation)

PTO (paid time off) – 9 hours for every 80 hours worked

Training and Career Development Program

Access to free mental health counseling

Interfaith Works Shelter Support Staff provide support to adult individuals/couples without children of all genders experiencing homelessness 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. We support our neighbors living on the streets, in wooded areas, cars, under awnings, in alcoves, and in abandoned buildings. Interfaith Works homeless services is dedicated to providing emergency services and support to those in need, not as charity but as an act of social justice. This position is that of a homeless advocate and ally, a support person for people in varying stages of crisis and trauma, a facilitator/monitor of hygiene and personal storage activities, and a collaborator with the many social service and healthcare agencies who work with our guests. This may include supplying clothing and blankets, food and medicine, managing laundry, or just listening to what people have to say.

A general summary of responsibilities includes providing a safe, clean environment, supporting and assisting guests residing in the shelter, and documenting any safety/security concerns or rule violations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Empower guests and provide support and crisis intervention through trauma-informed care.
• Ability to provide resource information or answer questions, for individuals we serve and to those who call the shelter to ask for information.
• Communicate necessary guest information to incoming shift staff to keep them informed.
• Follow and enforce Shelter Guidelines, Policies and Procedures with Shelter Guests.
• Support and assist guests with their shelter needs as they arise (ex. questions, concerns, hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies, bedding, food and more).
• Maintain safety and security of shelter property, and report concerns to management or to the authorities.
• Ensure the privacy and safety of other guests by not confirming identity of other guests, and by not allowing anyone other than guests, staff, or law enforcement on the premises.
• Maintain the cleanliness of shelter through performing housekeeping tasks (ex. sweeping, mopping, cleaning showers, picking up in the outdoor area, disinfecting, etc.).
• Complete shelter safety & perimeter checks.
• Complete shelter Inventory and shelter upkeep duties as assigned.
• Perform basic maintenance as needed and report any major maintenance issues.
• Document in shift notes at least once per shift and complete proper documentation; including but not limited to call logs, task list, incident reports, and any other reporting duties.
• Availability to work on-call or in a set shift for at least 3 shifts a week and be able to pick up/drop assigned work shifts as needed.
• Complete shadowing tasks as assigned when new team members join the support staff team.
• Attend all staff training, supervision meetings, workshops and weekly staff meetings.
• Maintain positive, supportive and respectful guest relations.
• Support our focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - this includes non-judgment of the ways that people may be different than you. Refrain from using slurs or other derogatory terms, gossiping or coming to conclusions based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, primary language, religion, physical or mental ability or other ways that people that we serve or employ may be different than you.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries while working with guests.
• Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with the ability to diffuse situations without heightening the conflict.
• Understanding or willingness to train in areas such as trauma-informed care, CPR, and other training as required.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of guests.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to be compassionate and firm towards guests.
• Ability to accurately record information for required guest and staff documentation while maintaining confidentiality and strong boundaries.
• Ability to navigate Google Suite and Microsoft Office products, specifically, Word and Excel.
• Reliable transportation to get to work.
• Other duties may be assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties listed below.

The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Strong organizational and communication skills

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to navigate and use email.

Other:

• Must have a working phone for communication
• Ability to work extended hours when required.
• Overnight shifts require staff to be awake all night from 11:00pm-7:30am.

Education and Experience:

• No educational requirement.
• Experience in direct service and community organizing is desirable; personal experience and understanding of homelessness may be substituted.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, bend, stoop and twist.
• The employee frequently is required to stand for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

For information on Interfaith Works, visit our website at iwshelter.org