Program Advocate, Single Adult Shelter

SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL • Leominster, MA

5d • $0 - $17

About The Position

The Program Advocate oversees single adult shelter operations during working hours while maintaining a safe and secure environment. The role involves monitoring shelter surroundings, responding to issues and crises, supporting clients with dignity and respect, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring compliance with program, agency, and funder requirements. The schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a one-hour unpaid lunch break, for 35 hours per week. A successful background check is required.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of sobriety.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of low-income individuals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to respond in crisis situations.
• Basic computer skills to maintain training as assigned.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more and ascend and descend stairs.
• Successful background check.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of substance abuse and mental illness.

Responsibilities

• Monitor shelter surroundings and respond to issues during each shift.
• Maintain the safety of clients and staff during each shift.
• Check with other staff and review the log for information relevant to the previous shift.
• Maintain appropriate logs and files for each shift.
• Report problems and rule infractions to the Program Director through the written log, and report emergencies immediately to the appropriate supervisor.
• Attend regular staff meetings and participate in appropriate training.
• Treat guests with dignity and respect, maintain guest confidentiality, and establish appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Ensure rounds are completed every 15 minutes.
• Engage clients by understanding and addressing their needs, whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend and participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee, and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program, department, agency, and funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid time off: full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation and 2 weeks of sick time, and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year.
• Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D, and long-term disability for full-time employees.
• Medical plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA employer cost-sharing program, dental plans with orthodontic coverage, and EyeMed vision insurance for full-time employees.
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match starting on day one for full-time and part-time employees.
• Voluntary benefits including term and whole life insurance, accident insurance, critical illness coverage, hospital indemnity, and short-term disability.
• Flexible spending accounts, dependent care accounts, employee assistance program, and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed