Emergency Shelter Resident Advocate

SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN MINISTRY Inc•San Antonio, TX

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary role of the Resident Advocate (RA) is to ensure the safety and security of shelter residents, guests and volunteers while providing a supportive and welcoming environment. RA’s ensure compliance to the policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency and building. The RA is also required to perform daily effective environmental scans of the facility to ensure cleanliness of the building, track activities of visitors, volunteers, and residents, as well as communicate needs effectively to the team. RA’s will support the daily operations of the shelter, participate in daily resident staffing and documentation, perform resident intakes, track daily progress notes, mediate conflict between residents, and model healthy boundaries and communication.

Requirements

Knowledge in community-based programs
Ability to gain working knowledge of SAMMinistries policy and procedures
Ability to act as a representative of SAMMinistries to the public
Ability to effectively communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records
Ability to use Trauma Informed Care techniques
Ability to use Harm Reduction techniques
Ability to operate and work effectively in Microsoft Office programs
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
Ability to professionally handle crisis situations
Associate degree in social service, Community Health Worker Level I Certificate or related field or three years work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health.
Valid Driver's License.
Successful completion certification in CPR/First Aid/AED Trauma Informed Care Harm Reduction and Housing First will be required within sixty (60) days of hire.
Additional Training in: Motivational Interviewing, Time Management, HMIS Training.
Must be sensitive to the dynamics associated with homeless families and individuals.
Must be able to react swiftly and effectively to crisis situations.
Must possess good conflict resolution skills.
Logic and ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for daily shelter operations that promote a welcoming and safe environment for residents, guests, and other visitors to the facility.
Conduct intakes with new residents to include review of shelter policies, tour of facility and provision of personal care items. Ensure data is entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) accordingly.
Maintain a safe shelter environment by de-escalating or responding to crisis situations in a professional and respectful manner, in accordance with Trauma-Informed Care and Harm Reduction best practices.
As part of a housing-focused shelter, provide and connect residents with information regarding services offered at the facility through housing-focused case management and other community resources as part of efforts to offer residents solutions to resolving their homelessness as quickly as possible.
Collaborate with case managers on service updates or needs for residents via documentation, email and/or verbal communication.
Communicate with program leadership regarding pertinent resident issues.
Monitor supplies such as bedding and towels and prepare rooms for new residents.
Assist shelter residents with accessing services offered at facility to include daily meals, toiletries, cleaning supplies and other needed items.
Complete required written and electronic documentation in a timely manner including, but not limited to, incident reports, shift reports, various logs, and data entry.
Work together with other shelter staff to maintain a clean and safe environment by performing various cleaning tasks and submitting maintenance requests as needed to ensure appropriate health and safety standards are met.
Collect and forward all incident reports to the SAMMinistries shelter management team.
Complete daily rounds of the building and accurately record finding or report immediate concerns to supervisor.
Ensure compliance and quality assurance through routine review and maintenance of logs, files, and reports.
Carries hand radio or cell phone and responds immediately to all calls and takes appropriate action in coordination with SAMM management.
Respond to visitors, volunteers and residents’ requests, complaints, and inquiries.
Ensure all visitors, volunteers and residents sign in and out.
Recognize and respond to any significant changes in residents’ behavior or demeanor and report to SAMMinistries management team, case manager and other appropriate professionals, as necessary.
Maintain an adequate inventory of supplies and distribute to residents as per policy.
Complete rounds of all areas of the facility to ensure compliance with facility guidelines and policies.
Conduct room and campus health and welfare checks weekly or as needed.
Assist in ensuring that all residents are aware of all emergency procedures (fire, tornado, & other emergencies)
Treat residents with respect and use de-escalation techniques in a trauma informed way in situations of high stress for residents.
Conduct intake and orientation for new residents.
Attend all mandatory departmental meetings and/or training.
Ensures that all resident data is entered daily.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.