Housing Advocate - Homeless Resource Center

Volunteers Of America, Utah•Salt Lake City, UT

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Volunteers of America, Utah is an affiliate of a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that has served communities across the United States for more than 125 years. Volunteers of America, Utah’s mission is to provide community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. Our programs serve people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness. We encourage all who are passionate about making a difference, including individuals with lived experience, to apply. The Geraldine E. King Women's Resource Center exists to meet the distinctive needs of women who are experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, case management, life skills training, and connection to community services and resources with the ultimate goal of assisting all clients in obtaining safe and stable housing. Housing Advocates provide front line support to clients and assist clients with daily activities such as mail access, transport, property storage, program orientation, client check-ins, security screening, and more. Housing Advocates get to work with clients who are homeless including: single women, domestic violence victims; individuals with behavioral health and/or substance use disorders, those who are medically frail, and/or those exiting prison or jail. Housing Advocates work as a team toward the shared goal of helping every resident obtain housing. The Housing Advocate will perform direct, front-line services through a wide variety of duties relating to providing a safe environment for individuals entering the resource center and assisting clients in obtaining housing. Housing Advocates will assist clients with daily activities such as mail access, transport, property storage, program orientation, client check-ins, security screening, etc. Housing Advocates will be trained to provide intake and diversion services if other staff are unavailable.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required and 2 years of social services or homelessness-related experience or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Familiarity with Trauma Informed Care and Housing First philosophies and willingness to incorporate them in daily work.
Excellent customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively and handle difficult situations with professionalism and empathy.
Possess basic computer skills.
Ability to uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality regulations, agency policies and procedures, and interact in a professional manner with a diverse workforce, clients, and the public.
Willingness to accept supervision and direction.
Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
Must be able to pass Utah-DHS – Office of Licensing background screening and pre-employment drug screen.
Ability to lift and carry 25 lbs.
Ability to move around the facility, interacting with clients for extended periods.

Responsibilities

Provide quality customer service to clients accessing shelter and deliver services with safety, respect and effectiveness.
Provide clear and specific information to clients regarding expectations, program activities and schedule during their orientation and ongoing as needed.
Assist in resolving conflicts utilizing de-escalation skills and trauma informed practices. Provide immediate and professional response to any security /safety emergency or disturbance within or immediately outside facility following appropriate policies and procedures.
Assist in maintaining a clean and safe facility, identifying and addressing special needs and/or referring needs to supervisor.
Utilize a trauma informed approach when managing difficult client behaviors.
Answer phones, greet clients, volunteers, donors, and other visitors in a friendly and professional manner, and aid as needed.
Utilize the onsite supervisor and the on-call system for guidance and support and follow appropriate protocol for covering shifts in the event of illness, vacation, or other time off.
Ensure that all paperwork related to client and program activities is in accordance with licensing and contract requirements, properly completed, managed confidentially, and stored appropriately.
Use agency vehicles to complete errands and to provide safe transportation for clients when necessary.
Attend work as scheduled and arrive at the designated time.
Work must be performed on-site due to the need to provide direct client care.
Complete rounds and perimeter checks of interior and exterior of building.
Maintain cleanliness of shared workspace, facility, and vehicles as well as center laundry.
May assist Client Engagement team by working with clients on creating a housing plan upon intake if other staff are unavailable.
Assist other shifts with waking clients or getting them to bed as necessary.
Maintain positive, professional interactions with community resources including staff from other VOA programs, emergency services, other community providers, client family members, agency donors, community support groups, and referral sources etc.
Perform other functions as necessary or assigned.

Benefits

Low-cost medical with health savings account, dental, and vision coverage for full time employees.
403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%) for all employees
Employee Assistance Program for all employees
33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service
Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period
$50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available
Employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly)
Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off

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