Withdrawal Management Unit Team Lead Full Time

City of Fargo•Gladys Ray Shelter 1519 1st Ave. S. Fargo, ND

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Team Lead Harm Reduction Advocate works as a shift leader to Harm Reduction Advocates and volunteers, while providing and enhancing safe emergency shelter, drop-in services, and detox center services. The advocate meets the immediate needs of homeless persons that cannot access other shelter options in the community as well as the needs of the detox center clients. As a direct contact for the guests and clients, the advocate provides a safe and respectful environment while conducting guest intakes, assisting guests with housing, helping make referrals to other agencies and services, and performing a variety of tasks during hours of shelter operation.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED
Two to three years experience working in the Human Services Field such as working with low income and homeless populations, substance abuse, and/or mental health programs or any combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
A valid driver’s license is required for incumbents who are assigned to drive a City vehicle.
Knowledge of Harm Reduction management practices such as training, discipline, delegation, etc.
Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms.
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and codes relating to social service activities.
Able to convey accurate information and/or representation of the mission of GRS and Detox Center, and to educate the general public on issues of homelessness.
Ability to multi-task, prioritize, organize, and manage time effectively.
Patience, flexibility, and a self-starter.
Ability to take direction from and provide direction to others.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
Commitment to developing cultural competencies and respect for diversity and the differences between people and groups.
Ability to use Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

Shift oversight and guidance to advocate staff and volunteers.
Ensuring shelter and detox center safety, security, and services to guests and clients when on duty.
Communicating courteously and professionally and maintaining working relationships with others.
Responding to Public Health Emergencies.
Fulfilling roles within the Department’s Emergency Operations Plan.
Performing all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
Using independent judgment to provide leadership to department personnel under the span of control.
Providing shift oversight of Harm Reduction Advocates and Volunteers; ensuring completion of shift responsibilities.
Serving as a team leader, assigning particular work to co-workers using informed and independent judgment.
Providing training and work direction.
Conducting ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring for co-workers throughout assigned shift.
Participating with Program Coordinators in completing monthly staffing scheduling, calendars and sick/emergency coverage.
Determining when to call for help from healthcare or public safety or when the Director or Program Coordinator needs to be called for afterhours support.
Greeting volunteers and offering support of their efforts as well as supervision and assistance as needed.
Maintaining a safe and supervised shelter and detox environment; facilitating the efficient and effective operation of the shelter and detox center on a day-to-day basis.
Coordinating shelter guest and detox client check-in process including bed assignments, bag and property checks, breathalyzer checks, and assessments for safety.
Completing the intake process with new shelter guests and detox clients and ensuring all needed information has been obtained.
Providing intake, assessment and monitoring per shelter and detox policy.
Providing shelter guests or detox clients with essentials such as food, fluids, toiletries, etc.
Assuring access to emergency services for guests and clients as necessary.
Completing and reviewing all paperwork, maintaining and updating shelter guest and detox client files, and clearly communicating with other shelter and detox center staff through written and verbal reports.
Completing, reviewing and maintaining necessary records, maintaining confidentiality and complying with regulations regarding client confidentiality.
Utilizing the employee communication log to summarize relevant events of each shift.
Reading the employee communication log before beginning shift duties.
Communicating, complying with, and enforcing all shelter and detox center rules, policies, and procedures.
Focusing on building relationships with shelter guests and detox clients.
Utilizing strategies consistent with industry models such as the Harm Reduction model when working with shelter guests.
Effectively managing crisis and conflict situations.
Completing required training and developmental activities, including continuous learning about issues regarding homelessness substance abuse and mental health as well as the availability of social support systems.
Providing community based services (i.e. social services, homes health, etc.) with adequate resources and space to meet with shelter guest or detox client.
Promoting drop-in services as scheduled.
Continuously developing understanding and knowledge of area resources in order to refer and connect guests to services.
Promoting on-site services and communicating as needed with agencies that are a part of the Gladys Ray network (i.e. shelters, housing, police, detox staff, etc.)
Assisting with maintaining facility compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Maintaining current knowledge of standards and codes relating to shelter and detox center operations.
Assisting with maintenance and upkeep of the building and grounds.
Performing other duties and activities as assigned.