CLA Community Life Ambassador

SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION INCSan Diego, CA
Onsite

About The Position

The Community Life Ambassador (CLA) will perform tasks and services to support effective and efficient operations of the San Diego Rescue Mission. This role involves providing supervision and leadership for CLAs on duty, promoting client safety, and fostering a trauma-informed environment. The CLA will oversee workflow, support evening/overnight shifts, monitor employee productivity, and offer feedback. A key aspect of this role is demonstrating an understanding and implementation of trauma-informed practices and de-escalation techniques. The CLA will also coordinate communication, monitor assigned floors, provide team leadership, and serve as a point of contact for EMS services. Additionally, the CLA will engage in client services and engagement through ministry and relational connection, support program compliance, engage with volunteers, and maintain professional social service ethics. Administrative support, including documentation, assisting with intakes/discharges, and coordinating program elements, is also required. The CLA is expected to represent the Mission's values and grow professionally and spiritually, participating in spiritual disciplines and required trainings.

Requirements

  • Minimum AA Social Services, Psychology, Human Development, Ministry or related field from an accredited institution (or commensurate experience, equating to 2 years).
  • Candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
  • The candidate must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
  • The Mission assumes that the candidate will serve as an advocate for the Mission, will support and defend our Mission Statement, Statement of Faith, and Mission Values, and has a genuine desire to serve the Lord in the ministry of “rescue.”

Nice To Haves

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Minimum 2 years full-time work experience with individuals experiencing homelessness, various addiction challenges, mental illness and/or dual diagnosis is preferred.
  • Nonprofit experience preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Provide supervision and leadership for all CLAs on duty in the facility and promote client safety, while fostering a trauma-informed environment.
  • Oversee workflow and support evening/overnight shifts in satisfactory completion of tasks and expectations of the role.
  • Monitor employee productivity and effectiveness and offer timely feedback, guidance and collaboration.
  • Demonstrates a measurable understanding and implementation of trauma-informed practices and various de-escalation techniques while interacting with clients in the delivery of services.
  • Coordinate communication with CLAs on duty, including: on-call CLA needs, emergency and safety situations, initiate hourly radio checks, and fill any gaps in coverage until on call CLA arrives.
  • Ensure communication to on-call supervisor regarding shift coverage changes and/or needs.
  • Monitor assigned floors (while also providing leadership support for all CLAs), including but not limited to: bag checks, room checks & inspections, laundry, cleanliness, hourly radio check-ins, meals, health appraisals, and mediations.
  • Provide team leadership to CLAs and/or intervention in conflict and/or emergency situations.
  • Serve as point of contact for EMS services called to the building.
  • Collaboratively work with all staff to meet organization and client needs (e.g., IT/maintenance challenges, Mission services and medication drops, etc.).
  • Identify and report APS and CPS concerns as necessary.
  • Provide client services and engagement through appropriate ministry and relational connection in support of maintaining program compliance.
  • Intentionally connects with clients to provide relational support and spiritual engagement remaining sensitive to the variance of faith-related elements in each program.
  • Collaborate, oversee and/or facilitate evening activities.
  • Able to recognize suicidal/homicidal ideation and other crises and intercede by providing trauma-informed crisis interventions to ensure individual and collective safety.
  • Support clients in maintaining program-specific compliance including: attendance to various program requirements, drug & alcohol screening, smoke breaks, med calls, curfew, PRN and to-go meds, and encouraging appropriate personal hygiene.
  • Engage with volunteers to ensure supportive and appropriate collaboration.
  • Ensure residents are treated with respect, dignity and compassion.
  • Maintain and adhere to strong professional social service ethics and boundaries.
  • Exercise good judgment for the well-being of the clients when decisions arise that may demand altering the rules.
  • Maintain minimum established standard of shift notes, reports, and other necessary documentation as trained and required.
  • Assist in onboarding and training of new CLA’s.
  • Provide basic administrative support including but not limited to: answering phones, faxing, scanning, emailing, mail processing, ordering supplies, donation room.
  • Assist as needed with client intake/check-in, discharge/program exits as determined by specific program needs.
  • Coordinate various program elements such as: accommodations, accountability plans, student passes, etc.
  • Communicate effectively both internally and externally.
  • Represent our Mission, Vision, and Values and continue to grow professionally and spiritually.
  • Embody a Mission-wide perspective.
  • Remain mindful of the organization’s Mission and Vision as a filter for all we do.
  • Embody SDRM’s organizational values: Faith, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence.
  • Intentionally participate in spiritual disciplines and practices that continue to grow and expand your relationship with Christ.
  • Participate in regularly scheduled monthly staff meetings, required in-service, and other trainings (CPR FA/AED and Mental Health FA).
  • Willingly engage to resolve conflicts with co-workers, clients, and community partners as necessary.
  • Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.
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