Program Advocate, Single Adult Shelter

SOUTH MIDDLESEX OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL • Leominster, MA

9d • $0 - $17

About The Position

The Program Advocate oversees operations at a single adult shelter during working hours and helps maintain a safe and secure environment for clients and staff. The role involves monitoring shelter conditions, responding to issues and emergencies, maintaining shift logs and records, completing rounds every 15 minutes, and engaging with clients to understand and address their needs. The Program Advocate also communicates with shelter staff, participates in meetings and training, and follows program, agency, funder, and confidentiality requirements. The position works Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break, for 35 hours per week. Direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC may occur; a successful background check is required.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of sobriety.
• CPR and First Aid certification.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of people with low incomes.
• 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 that arise during each shift.
• Maintain the safety of clients and staff.
• Check with other staff and review the previous shift's log for relevant information.
• Maintain appropriate logs and files for each shift.
• Report problems and rule infractions to the Program Director through a 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 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.
• Protect 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

• 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, 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 a 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 and dependent care accounts.
• Employee assistance program.
• Tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

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