Lead Housing Advocate CR

EAST OAKLAND COMMUNITY PROJECT•Oakland, CA

6d•$21 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Housing Advocate oversees shelter operations during the assigned day shift at Crossroads Resident Shelter in Oakland, California. The role provides leadership, training, and guidance to full-time and on-call Housing Advocates, while ensuring residents receive a quality stay consistent with East Oakland Community Project’s mission, vision, and standards. The Lead Housing Advocate reports to the Resident Shelter Manager and works closely with case management and facilities teams. The position may directly lead up to four Housing Advocates at a time. The role handles resident crises and critical incidents respectfully, using Motivational Interviewing and a Harm Reduction approach. It helps maintain building safety, security, and order by following agency protocols, supervising resident activities, coordinating services, and ensuring that shelter documentation and daily operations are completed correctly. The Lead Housing Advocate also supports staff wellbeing and development, participates in scheduling and performance follow-up, and assumes on-call supervisor responsibilities when scheduled.

Requirements

At least three years of experience assisting homeless or low-income people.
High school diploma and five years of experience working with individuals and families with multiple issues.
Strong leadership ability and the ability to exercise good judgment, coach, and support staff.
Sensitivity to the needs of homeless individuals and families with multiple issues, and ability to work with a diverse population.
Experience using computers and successful utilization of Microsoft Word and Excel.
Demonstrated ability to access and navigate the internet and operate office equipment.
Neat, organized, and professional, with clear verbal communication skills when communicating with residents and staff.
English-language skills.

Nice To Haves

A second language, especially Spanish or American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Supervise resident activities and respond to resident questions and concerns using Motivational Interviewing and a Harm Reduction approach.
Introduce program requirements to new residents, encourage their understanding and participation, and support ongoing compliance.
Provide awake coverage, maintain ground security, and check items upon entry.
Ensure rooms are clean and residents follow shelter policies and procedures.
Work with Housing Advocate staff to assist residents and interpret the Housing Advocate Manual and Crossroads protocols.
Ensure shift logs, incident reports, shift notes, written violations, intakes, visitor records, and service documentation are completed accurately and submitted to the appropriate staff.
Assist the Shelter Manager in addressing resident concerns, workflow problems, program safety issues, and staffing gaps due to absences or lateness.
Coordinate client assessments and referrals to case management staff or outside services, and coordinate program activities during the shift.
Support bed assignments, smoke breaks, chores, rounds, and other daily routines.
Provide crisis and emergency assistance, lead during emergencies, help ensure resident and staff safety, and report emergency incidents to program leadership.
Report facility repair needs to Facilities Management and the Shelter Manager daily; conduct facility walkthroughs and rounds, communicate safety concerns, and follow up on incident reports.
Maintain working knowledge of fire, safety, and health standards and enforce agency rules and policies.
Coordinate staff breaks, ensure staff are posted on dorm floors when dorms are open, and check in with staff to address challenges that could contribute to burnout or frustration.
Assist with weekly staff training, new-staff orientation, and development; participate in staff meetings and in-service training.
Contribute to the Housing Advocate work schedule and communicate staff performance issues to the Shelter Manager; assist with performance action plans.
Assume on-call supervisor responsibilities as scheduled and review incident reports for compliance with Crossroads policies and procedures.
Model professional behavior and positive resident interactions, including the use of Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction.
Perform safety background checks on new residents and update red file logs.
Perform other duties as assigned.