Lead Housing Advocate

Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent and 3-5 years experience in human services. BA or AA degree in Housing or Human Service preferred. Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or management role. Background should include working with the public, interfacing with all levels of management and staff. Must have a good understanding of the delivery of Social Services and community services, the ability to accept supervision and work with a team of co-workers, work well with clients of a diverse cultural and socioeconomic groups; respect of confidentiality; and able to work within ethical and legal parameters of social services. Must be willing to support the mission of The Salvation Army, able to pass a background checks, documented two years freedom from chemical use problems if formally chemically dependent, possess a valid MN drivers license without restrictions, meet the MVR drivers qualifications, and pass the pre-employment drug test. It must be understood by the incumbent that the provisions of Safe From Harm will apply upon commencement of employment, and also understood that the required Safe From Harm training program must be satisfactorily completed within the first ninety (90) days of employment.

Position Summary

Responsible for on-site supervision and assisting in the management of Men's and Women's Emergency Housing programs and act as a supervisory point of contact for Housing Staff in the absence of other management. Respond to all emergencies and program issues during assigned work shift. Responsible for advocating on behalf of the Emergency Housing clients in a positive and helpful manner, ensuring the health and safety of the client; and educating them on services provided by other community agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Client Care

• Meet and greet all clients in a professional and courteous manner.
• Develop and maintain a positive rapport with clients.
• Monitor client behavior by performing routine hourly rounds of the unit or as needed.
• Orient new clients to Salvation Army and department's rules.
• Work with the clients to ensure that their health and safety concerns are being met.
• Work with community resource to help meet the clients needs; i.e. bus tokens, First Call for Help, Hennepin County Services, etc.

Unit Management

• Work as an advocate and model appropriate client care for all staff.
• Train and mentor staff in providing appropriate client care and advocacy.
• Manage the day to day operations of the Housing Programs during assigned work shift (normally 2^nd shift).
• Responsible for on-site supervision and assisting in the management of Men's and Women's Housing and act as a supervisory point of contact for Housing Staff in the absence of other management.
• Coordinate the collection of timesheets and assist staff in completing them accurately.
• Assist in the administration of policies and procedures for each housing unit.
• Communicate unit requirements and policy changes to housing staff.
• Ensure staff are keeping the log books up-to-date.
• Provide a safe and supportive environment for clients and staff.
• Make recommendations to Program Manager's as to the staffing needs of the department.
• Maintain active interest and involvement in issues related to the homeless, chemical dependency and mental illness.
• Assist in overseeing the smooth and effective daily operation of Emergency Housing.
• Inform Housing Program Managers of programmatic issues and concerns regarding employee performance and attendance issues.
• Inform Housing Program Managers of programmatic issues and concerns regarding client health, safety and well being concerns.
• Track and report all necessary statistical information pertaining to Emergency Housing.

Unit Safety

• Assist in de-escalating situations as the occur
• Use non-aggressive holds and restraints if needed.
• Enforce client rules.
• Monitor all entrances and exit points.
• Monitor the clients on the unit at all times, including meal periods.
• Coordinate random urinalysis selection process.

Unit Housekeeping

• Maintain unit supplies.
• Ensure that entire unit is cleaned dialing including: floors, restroom, etc.
• Clean and disinfect any areas that are contaminated by a client's body fluids in a safe and prompt manner. Body fluid would include; blood, urine, fecal matter, vomit, etc.
• Ensure that all soiled laundry is properly sealed, marked, and sent to Housekeeping.

Supplies

• Inventory unit on a regular basis and/or as requested for supplies needed.
• Complete requests and inform program coordinator of needs.

Additional duties

• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters good relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include, but not limited to such actions: conflict resolution in a professional manner; courteous treatment of staff, visitors and clients; respect of others property and person and appropriate communication to and about co-workers and supervisors.
• Support the mission of The Harbor Light Center by treating every client and colleague with individual respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.
• All other duties as assigned or at management requests.

1010 Currie Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403

Full Time, 40hrs/week

$17.18-$21.04/hour

Working Conditions

There are normally no hazardous or significantly unpleasant physical working conditions, with the exception of the occasional emotional distress or turmoil (due to varying situations) with and between staff and/or clients. The duties and responsibilities of this position cannot be performed from home.

Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Risk Level

Risk Level 2 - The tasks or activities conducted by Risk Level 2 workers do not involve reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, but could result in such exposure in non-routine, emergency situations.

Physical Activities and Requirements of Position

Hearing

• Able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.

Repetitive Motion

• Movements frequently and regularly required using the majority of the body.

Physical Strength

• Variety of Work; sitting approximately 50% of the time, with some prolonged standing, walking, bending, climbing
• Exerts up to 30 pounds of force occasionally.

Talking

• Especially where one must frequently convey detailed or important instructions, information, and ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Travel

• The incumbent may be required to travel by personal vehicle, organization vehicle or other mode of travel as required supporting the mission of The Salvation Army.

Visual Abilities

• Average, ordinary, visual activity necessary to prepare or inspect documents.

Mental Activities and Requirements of Position

Mathematics Ability

• Ability to perform basic math skills, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages.
• Ability to prepare budgets

Language Ability

• Ability to fluently speak read and write in English.
• Ability to read a variety of books, magazines, instruction manuals, atlases, and encyclopedias.
• Ability to prepare memos, reports, and essays using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to communicate distinctly with appropriate pauses and emphasis; correct punctuation and variation in word order; using present, perfect, and future tenses.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to deal with a variety of variables under only limited standardization.
• Able to interpret various instructions.