On Call Engagement Specialist
On call staff may cover day, swing or graveyard shifts at all of our facilities which include four full time shelters and Housing First facility. These temporary positions, in our low-barrier facilities, serve people who are experiencing houselessness. Staff for our Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO) shelters work November 1st through March 31st. Shifts are 6:00 pm to midnight as well as the overnight shift seven days per week. These temporary positions, in our low-barrier shelters, serve people who are experiencing houselessness.
The On-call Engagement Specialist is responsible for creating a comfortable, safe environment for families and individuals who have been experiencing houselessness, some of whom are accessing services for the first time. Our programs are low-barrier. All staff and residents are expected to be kind and respectful towards each other and the property.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Engage with families and/or singles through the transition from shelter to permanent housing. Provide referrals and assistance as needed.
Create a supportive environment by communicating with residents in a kind, friendly and encouraging manner.
Communicate and enforce rules and policies.
Communicate with the previous shift to receive pertinent information about residents, schedules, shelter activities, volunteers, etc.
Work as a team to ensure appropriate and complete client service.
Respond to crisis situations, disagreements, unattended children, medical emergencies, domestic violence.
Evaluate incidents of potential or actual conflict; determine and initiate appropriate course of action. Perform urgent and immediate first aid and/or CPR as needed.
Regularly inspect the shelter to maintain cleanliness, security and safety of residents, and to assure compliance with rules and regulations.
Assist volunteers and residents in meal preparation, service and clean up.
Network with social service agencies to provide information and referral services to the residents. Record observations and resident/shelter activities in daily log.
Enter all required information into HMIS (Houseless Management Information System) database Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge, or the ability to acquire, of the needs and problems of the houseless, low-income, elderly, disabled or others with special needs; interview techniques to gather information from clients; crisis intervention techniques; and urgency basic first aid.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication with a wide and diverse range of people, particularly the houseless; defuse and resolve potentially volatile actions of residents; coordinate house cleaning schedules and insure effective accomplishment of tasks; work independently for extended periods of time; read, interpret, communicate, and follow simple written instructions; complete routine forms and reports.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
The nature of the work involves working in a group living situation with low-income, people who are experiencing houselessness. Occasional first aid may involve exposure to blood and other bodily fluids. Proper training will be given.
Minimum Qualifications
One (1) years of direct experience providing human services to target populations such as houseless, low-income, elderly, or people with disabilities.
Two (2) years of college level course work with an emphasis in social or behavioral sciences and experience providing direct human services.
Computer skills including knowledge of Excel, Word, e-mail and the Internet. Knowledge or the ability to obtain the knowledge of the HMIS database. Possess or be able to obtain CPR and basic first aid certification