Shelter Advocate (Swing Shift w/Weekends)

The Salvation Army Southern California•Portland, OR

4d•$24 - $25

About The Position

The Shelter Advocate ensures the safety and security of shelter participants while treating everyone with dignity and respect. This role includes enforcing policies, providing crisis support to survivors, addressing basic needs, and resolving conflicts. The position emphasizes site security and controlled access for survivors' protection. Any unusual concerns must be immediately reported to the supervisor.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred but not required. Education and/or work experience commensurate with the duties and responsibilities required. The individual must have/obtain yearly certification in first aid, CPR and a Food Handler’s card.
Strong customer service skills and the ability to complete tasks in a timely
Ability to prioritize multiple requests and demands from Survivors and their families
High level of problem-solving skills and patience
A genuine concern for survivors of domestic
Maintain confidentiality and privacy of all survivors and their families
Basic Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook required
An ability to engage with diverse populations in a respectful and culturally responsive manner
Demonstrated ability and willingness to consistently communicate and work well with staff and residents from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with various religious beliefs, traditions, lifestyles, sexual orientations, age variance, and differing abilities
Understanding of basic conflict resolution
Sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis. Grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinets drawers, and reach overhead
Operate a desktop or laptop computer. Operate telephone
Lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
Ability to understand written information

Responsibilities

Interact directly with domestic violence survivors and their children living in shelter
Maintain ongoing professional relationships in all interpersonal contacts. Use strength-based perspective in all interactions with survivors and staff
Provide information, supplies, referrals, crisis intervention, and support to survivors and family and the phonelines
Ability and willingness to respect and maintain the confidentiality of client information, in compliance with Salvation Army policies and procedures
Answer multi-line telephones and deal appropriately with visitors to the facility
Receive and route inquiries and messages, inter-office notes and program materials as appropriate
Assist in maintaining client files by logging appropriate information and incidents occurring during shift
Receive, log, receipt, sort and store incoming donations and fees in the appropriate manner
Remain awake—Remain alert and observant throughout shift
Respond to and provide crisis intervention and institute security procedures if a critical or threatening situation arises. Provide timely and appropriate notification to emergency services and leadership
Properly operate all safety and security systems
Ability to conduct visual inspections of the workplace on a continuous basis, through direct observation, walking inspections, and the use of video system
Coordination with co-workers, perform security and fire watches throughout the building
Keep the facilities clean and organized, including but not limited to, changing light bulbs, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, replacing supplies, emptying trash, cleaning, and organizing storage areas, dusting, cleaning floors and carpeting, cleaning tables, chairs, and other furnishings within your work area on a regular basis, and as indicated by unusual or emergency circumstances
Clean and set up shelter rooms based on shelter needs and availability
Ability to safely follow instructions pertaining to the use and storage of all workplace chemicals
Set up, breakdown, prepare, and serve breakfast or lunch as needed to maintain shelter services for survivors
Report maintenance needs to the appropriate personnel
Ability to learn and act upon new information; work cooperatively with individuals and groups; exercise mature and sound judgment in problem solving; organize your own work; present material properly, and accurately document activities or events happening
Given the critical nature of duties associated with this position, ensures timely reporting for duty of Shift
Comply with Salvation Army procedural requirements, including those set forth in the Policy & Procedure Manual and Employee Handbook and Shelter Handbook
Be familiar with and enforce neighborhood agreements, zoning constraints and funding contracts related to the program and program rules/policies
Attend all staff meetings as assigned
Perform other duties as assigned