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 isn't 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

Schedule: Day shift (8am-4pm) and Evening Shift (3p-11p), with occasional on-call and weekends obligation

Compensation: $21.42 - $22.42, depending on qualifications

$1000 bonus after one year of employment

Job Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt, 40 Hours/Week

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

The Outreach and Shelter Department serves single adults through our emergency response programs. Our programs include Shelter, Street Outreach and the Welcome Center. Through these programs, we often encounter individuals along the broad spectrum of homelessness from recently homeless to chronically homeless individuals. The goal in each of these programs is to build rapport and assist in connecting individuals to stabilize their housing and achieving self-sufficiency.

The Shelter Advocate works within a team to manage the daily operations of Agate emergency shelters. The advocate will also be responsible for assisting clients to locate housing and employment in addition to other essential services such as, medical and mental health care and other basic needs.

This position requires daytime, weekend and occasional overnight availability along with schedule flexibility to ensure client's needs are met. On a rotating basis with the team leads and other shelter advocates, this position will provide emergency on-call coverage for both shelter locations.

Additional responsibilities include representing Agate Housing and Services at meetings, administrative work related to the shelter, working closely with volunteers, some light building maintenance and housekeeping duties when necessary.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Advocacy/Case Management Duties - 50% of workload

• Assist clients to identify and set goals related to securing and maintaining housing and assist clients to make progress on self-identified goals using the housing first/harm reduction model.
• Complete housing need assessments and referrals according to Hennepin County Coordinated Entry System guidelines and procedures.
• Assist clients to meet programmatic benchmarks, such as obtaining IDs, applying for and securing eligible benefits, establishing savings plans, and applying for housing according to individual client's need, preference and eligibility.
• Connect program participants to appropriate services and providers.
• Represent Agate to the community including at neighborhood or county meetings.

Operations Duties & Hospitality - 25% of workload

• Ensure shelter operates safely for all guests, staff and volunteers.
• Enforce shelter policy in a consistent, fair manner with a positive and respectful demeanor.
• Make regular rounds inside shelter to ensure guest safety and maintain calm and peaceful atmosphere for sleeping guests; call emergency services when appropriate, and manage guest behavior throughout the shift.
• Build and maintain professional rapport with clients.
• Manage incoming inquiries for assistance and make appropriate referrals.
• 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.

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 log book 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 one-to-one meetings.
• Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.

Other Duties (as assigned) - 5% of workload

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 anti-racist 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, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based 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, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.

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 $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. In addition to criminal background studies, applicants must have a valid Driver's License and pass a driving record background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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

SERVICE ANNIVERSARY BONUS PROGRAM

This role is eligible for a $1000 service anniversary bonus after one year of employment.

REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM

Do you know someone who you think would be a good fit for a position at our organization? Please refer them! Agate Housing and Services offers a $250 bonus to employees who refer qualified candidates for current openings. The referring candidate must clearly state the name of the employee who referred them in the section of the application that requests this information.

The Referral Bonus Form must be submitted to Human Resources no later than 30 days after the referred employees begin employment. Any Referral forms submitted after 30 days will not be processed.

To be eligible for rewards, candidates must be hired as permanent full or part-time employees (this excludes on-call, employees, temporary employees, interns or contract workers).

When applying for the position, candidates must clearly state the name of the current employee that referred them. The referral bonus will be paid out within one month of the candidate's six (6) month anniversary. There is no cap on the number of referrals bonuses an employee can receive!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com 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.