Guest Advocate

Friendship Shelter•Laguna Beach, CA

About The Position

The Guest Advocate provides compassionate, person-centered support to guests residing in Friendship Shelter's Alternative Sleeping Location (ASL) program. The role fosters empowerment, acceptance, and dignity while maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming shelter environment. Guest Advocates use conflict resolution and crisis de-escalation techniques to build respectful, trusting relationships with guests and work with colleagues and community partners to support guests' housing and self-sufficiency goals through daily guidance, resource navigation, and encouragement. The position provides individualized support in a collaborative, recovery-oriented setting and models Friendship Shelter's values of responsibility, integrity, creativity, flexibility, and community. Duties include shelter safety and operations, guest support and accountability, administrative tasks, and local transportation for clients. This is a part-time position paying $20.50–$21.50 per hour.

Requirements

Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently.
Effective problem-solving skills and ability to multitask.
Strong organizational skills and ability to follow tasks through to completion.
Collaborative, positive, and mature approach, with an ethic of teamwork.
Comfort working in a Housing First and Harm Reduction setting.
Valid driver's license.
Excellent communication skills.
Empathy, discipline, focus, and organizational ability.
Commitment to helping people experiencing homelessness and to Friendship Shelter's values of compassion and acceptance, creativity and flexibility, integrity, responsibility, and community.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-demand, often crisis-centered environment while multitasking and staying organized.
Ability to spend 66% or more of each workday standing for extended periods, walking, bending, stooping, or climbing.
Ability to lift and/or push up to 25 pounds 33%–66% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of mental health and substance abuse.
Knowledge of local social service resources and providers.

Responsibilities

Ensure safety and security within the shelter at all times.
Provide administrative and facility support, including data entry, filing, shredding, restocking, light cleaning, laundry, and organizing.
Conduct housing and employment searches for guests, including personalized searches as needed.
Assist guests with needs such as clothing, hygiene products, and medication; make referrals; and provide onsite help with income and housing goals, including computer use and phone calls.
Provide conflict resolution and crisis intervention, modeling positive problem-solving, respectful communication, and self-restraint.
Monitor and document guest compliance with shelter rules and guidelines; conduct room inspections; supervise the shelter and use of supplies; and meet individually with guests to clarify expectations and support independent living skills.
Answer the main office phone and greet visitors and volunteers, helping ensure a positive experience at the shelter.
Model personal behaviors that reflect the life skills expected of guests.
Communicate pertinent program information through daily written logs.
Participate in monthly staff meetings and case conferencing as requested.
Complete other tasks as requested by the program team.
Provide daily local trips to clients using the FSI vehicle.