Shelter Worker - As-Needed

Agate Housing and Services•Minneapolis, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Shelter Advocate is part of a team responsible for daily operations at one of Agate’s two housing-focused shelter sites. The role helps ensure a consistent, affirming, and safe environment for guests and volunteers. Core work includes answering phones, conducting guest intakes, monitoring guest behavior, preparing and serving meals, light housekeeping, administrative work, documentation, and data entry. The Shelter Advocate also provides information and referrals and helps guests navigate paperwork and services as part of the housing-focused program. The position is as-needed. Employees receive the monthly schedule and are asked to pick up a minimum of 1–4 shifts per month. Supervisors may request coverage for emergency shifts. Shifts are primarily 2nd shift (3:00 pm–11:00 pm) or 3rd shift (10:30 pm–8:30 am); 1st shifts may occasionally be available, primarily on weekends. Employees must be flexible to work at either shelter location. Agate may move an on-call employee to an as-needed position based on coverage needs and willingness to accept harder-to-fill shifts. This union-represented position is covered by AFSCME Local 999. Employees in union-covered positions are required to contribute through union dues or fair share fees under the Collective Bargaining Agreement; the current contract does not provide an option to opt out. Agate is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people with lived experience and from people of color, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Requirements

Work respectfully with guests, coworkers, and stakeholders of diverse races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and religions.
Have organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to complete paperwork and documentation efficiently and accurately.
Be competent and comfortable using technology and computers.
Be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
Have experience with Microsoft Office products.
Meet government screening criteria.
Be flexible to work at either shelter location and pick up a minimum of 1–4 shifts per month.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Coordinated Entry systems.
Experience with HMIS.
Bilingual skills relevant to the people served, including Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, Somali, or Amharic.
Experience working in settings with all genders.
Belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
Understanding that homelessness is primarily the result of policy decisions beyond the control of the people served.
Commitment to harm reduction and Housing First philosophies.
Lived experience; applicants who have not received services from Agate within the last two years are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities

Enforce shelter policies consistently and fairly with a positive, respectful demeanor.
Answer and direct shelter calls, monitor entrances, and help guests access the shelter.
Make regular rounds to support guest safety and maintain a calm environment; call emergency services when appropriate and manage guest behavior.
Use de-escalation and crisis-response skills to address behavior issues and conflicts while maintaining professional boundaries.
Monitor and review security camera footage and accurately document and report incidents.
Work collaboratively with program staff, property management, and facilities teams to support site operations.
Welcome guests, staff, and visitors in a warm, professional, trauma-informed manner; respond promptly to voicemails, emails, and other communications.
Coordinate volunteer and donor check-ins with the External Relations Team.
Ensure daily routines and procedures, including meal service, occur on schedule.
Perform housekeeping and light maintenance as needed and keep office and program spaces tidy.
Support food service by setting out meals, coordinating meal deliveries, and supporting onsite food-service volunteers.
Respond to inquiries for assistance and make appropriate referrals.
Conduct shelter guest intakes and assist guests in making progress on self-identified goals using the Housing First and harm reduction model.
Facilitate required daily shelter documentation, including intakes, bed assignments, data collection, online database entries, and logbook entries.
Create and maintain guest files, case notes, and supporting documentation according to agency policies and procedures.
Troubleshoot issues with office equipment and phones and contact Admin for assistance as needed.
Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and supervisory one-to-one meetings.
Understand and follow mandated reporting responsibilities.
Keep shelter rosters updated using HMIS and represent Agate’s shelters at community meetings and trainings.