Shelter Advocate - Full-Time

Agate Housing and Services•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Agate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness and hunger through action and advocacy. We offer emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We value integrity, equity, humanity, and creativity. This full-time position is part of the Outreach and Shelter Department, serving single adults through emergency response programs like Shelter, Street Outreach, and the Welcome Center. The goal is to build rapport and connect individuals to resources for housing stability and self-sufficiency. The Shelter Advocate works within a team at two housing-focused shelter sites in Minneapolis, ensuring a safe and affirming environment for guests and volunteers. Responsibilities include managing daily operations, guest services, administrative tasks, and data entry, with a focus on a housing-first and harm-reduction model.

Requirements

Commitment to Agate's values and mission to end homelessness.
Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture within Agate and the community.
Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
Understand that homelessness is primarily the result of policy decisions beyond the control of the people we serve.
Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
Work respectfully with guests, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
The ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through the use of trauma-informed care, client-centered care, and strength-based approaches.
Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.
Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
Have experience with Microsoft Office products.
Pass background check.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Coordinated Entry Systems.
Experience with HMIS.
Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals we serve (Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, Somali, Amharic).
Experience working in settings with all genders.
Lived experience (applicants who have not received services from Agate within the last two years are welcome to apply).

Responsibilities

Ensure the shelter operates safely for all guests, staff, and volunteers.
Build and maintain professional rapport with guests.
Enforce shelter policy in a consistent, fair manner with a positive and respectful demeanor.
Answer and direct calls to the shelter and monitor entrances to allow guests to access the shelter.
Make regular rounds inside the shelter to ensure guest safety and maintain a calm and peaceful atmosphere for sleeping guests; call emergency services when appropriate and manage guest behavior throughout the shift.
Use de-escalation and crisis response skills to address behavior issues or conflicts, always maintaining professional boundaries.
Monitor and review security camera footage throughout the shift; document and report incidents accurately.
Work collaboratively with program staff, property management, and facilities teams to support overall site operations.
Serve as the first point of contact for guests, staff, and visitors-offering a warm, professional, and trauma-informed welcome.
Respond to voicemails, emails, and other communications promptly.
Assist with volunteer and donor check-ins in coordination with the External Relations Team.
Engage with volunteers to make sure their experience is positive.
Ensure daily program routines and procedures, including meal service, occur at scheduled times.
Perform housekeeping and light maintenance tasks as needed and appropriate. Make sure the office and program spaces are kept tidy.
Support food service, including putting meals out, coordinating the delivery of meals, and supporting volunteers who come onsite to provide food or meals.
Respond to incoming inquiries for assistance and make appropriate referrals.
Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with guests and colleagues.
Conduct shelter guest intakes.
Assist and encourage guests to make progress on self-identified goals using the housing first/harm reduction model.
Facilitate collection and maintenance of required daily shelter documentation including intakes, bed assignments, data collection and input into online databases and logbook entries.
Create and maintain guest files, case notes and other supporting documentation following agency policies and procedures.
Troubleshoot technical issues with office equipment and phones and reach out to Admin for assistance as needed.
Actively participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings and supervisory one-to-one meetings.
Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.
Other job duties as assigned.