Shelter Advocate (1St 6Am-2Pm)

Hiring Pay Range: $19-20 per hour Position Description: Shelter Advocates are the friendly first faces anyone sees when interacting at a UMOM New Day Center shelter.
You're a great candidate for this position if you are passionate about providing stellar customer-focused service, consider yourself a "people person," and thrive in a team environment where you are relied upon and your work impacts others.
At the core of all they do in this role, shelter assistants promote an environment of safety and support, and embrace a trauma-informed care model in their interactions with clients.
Wondering what that looks and feels like on a daily basis?
Read on!

As a Shelter Advocate you should be prepared for days that include a variety of tasks and interactions.
Your tasks may include sitting at the reception desk checking clients in and out, answering the phone and routing calls, accepting donations from community members, helping to monitor client moves into/out of the shelter, doing room checks to ensure client well-being and safety, helping with meal delivery and special events, walking around the shelter to identify needs of clients and/or the facility, and generally supporting the needs of and relationships with clients, staff, and UMOM visitors throughout your shift.
Some days will be hard - you might have to work with your teammates to de-escalate a tough situation with a client or remind yourself that a client's interaction with you is the result of their past and current experiences not a personal attack on your skills and abilities.
Just like any job, there will be times when the work doesn't feel all that exciting.
However, most of the time there's a lot going on and the work you do (yes, even the boring stuff) is always contributing to meeting our mission of ending homelessness.

If you're looking for a job that allows you to do impactful work that supports people, we want you to apply!
If you're looking for a job that will provide you with experience working in social services, we want you to apply!
If you're looking for a job where you'll learn valuable skills which are transferrable to a variety of future positions within this industry and beyond, we want you to apply!
If you're looking to work for an organization that wants to support your desire for professional growth and development, we want you to apply!
If you're looking for a job where people will depend on you, embrace your energy and your calm, and appreciate the value you'll add to a work environment always looking to improve, we want you to apply!

Position Description: The Shelter Advocate is responsible for assisting participants in 24-hour/7 days a week shelter program to provide advocacy, health, and well-being of all participants.
This role will promote an environment of support and embrace a trauma-informed care model to working with participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Provides friendly customer service to participants, volunteers, guests, and UMOM team members. Answers all phone calls and transfers to the appropriate person or department. Provides answers, when possible, to questions regarding programs offered by UMOM to participants, volunteers, guests, and UMOM team members. Offers support, assistance, & encouragement to participants in shelter by helping to meet immediate basic needs. Models a trauma informed approach to conflict resolution. Assists with maintaining the lobby area clean. Supports participants in understanding and following the program expectations and policies, providing written documentation when appropriate. Engages participants when appropriate to connect them with resources, activities, and case management. Completes documentation for move outs and transfers. Assists and monitors participants with sign in and out of property. Updates information in participant's file. Addresses medical needs in a safe and appropriate manner, responding as necessary by contacting on-call leadership, police, fire department and/or crisis team as needed. Assists with monthly emergency drills. Assists with room checks, searches, and wellness checks when necessary. Assists with meal distribution. Completes work orders and contacts on-call maintenance for emergency work orders. Completes Critical and non-Critical Incident Reports and directs them to appropriate staff members. Provides hygiene supplies, personal mail and packages to participants, and documents when appropriate. Oversees the traffic and communication related to shelter operations ensuring all proper procedures are followed. Site Specific Duties & Responsibilities - Family Shelter Monitors the signing in and out of all school age children entering and exiting the school buses. Assists with checking in and out of company vehicles including management of gas cards & receipts. Site Specific Duties & Responsibilities - Women's Shelter Assists with collecting and packing participants' belongings when they do not return to shelter. Assists with completing program laundry. Qualification and Competency Requirements: Experience and Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent required One year of experience in customer support preferred Previous experience working with low-income/at-risk/homeless individuals or vulnerable populations preferred Computer skills

Proficiency with applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook Compliance

Valid Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card or the ability to obtain one Valid 1st Aid/CPR Certification Physical Activities and Working Conditions

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.


Ability to lift at least twenty pounds when receiving mail packages, donations, moving client supplies, and other tasks relevant to the position Ability to ascend and descend two flights of stairs regularly Ability to perform duties outdoors in all weather conditions.
Ability to perform duties requiring extended periods of time being stationary manipulating client files, a computer (keyboard, monitor, mouse), and other standard office equipment including, but not limited to printer, copier, telephone, and associated computer/technology peripherals. Additional Attributes

Willingness to embrace and actively support the unique culture and values of UMOM Ability to focus on the tasks and details relevant to the position and the organization, while also switching quickly between tasks. Ability to exercise excellent independent judgment and take ownership of decisions. Ability to work independently and self-manage to achieve goals while being a strong team player. Ability to cope with and embrace change, risk, and uncertainty. Ability to develop strong relationships within a fast-paced, collaborative setting that values diverse opinions; enthusiasm for helping drive change as UMOM becomes a more data-driven organization. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries. Ability to communicate clearly and concise verbally and written.
Work Schedule: The typical schedule for this position is 5 days a week with 2 consecutive days off and includes work on weekends and holidays.