Engagement Specialist Sojourner House in Oak Park, Illinois at HOUSING FORWARD

JOB SUMMARY:

This position has the overall responsibility of providing basic support and ensuring the safety of all residents of Sojourner House during weekday evenings and weekends. This position will report to the Director of Medical Respite.

Hours, Friday 5:00pm to 9:00pm, Saturday and Sunday 5 hours each day, can be flexible with times.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Essential Job Functions: Sojourner House
• Treat participants with dignity and respect.
• Greet, welcome and engage residents living in a congregant and independent living setting and help foster a sense of community and cooperation.
• Assist with orientating new residents to the program and settling them into their unit as needed.
• Daily wellness checks on all residents and address basic needs, provide basic support and assistance to residents as needed.
• Restock the pantry and refrigerator as needed.
• Keep common areas clean and monitor for overall cleanliness and safety of the facility.
• Report any maintenance issues to Program Director
• Mitigate and manage any on-site crisis as they arise.
• Report and document all incidents, emergencies, substantial behavioral difficulties, and any intrusions or visits by police, ambulance, or any other outside agencies to the Director immediately.
• Be aware of the impact of trauma on participants and prevent and/or respond quickly and compassionately to triggers and post-trauma responses.
• Complete case notes, shift reports and logs and contribute to inter-shift debriefings. Review logs and reports for prior shifts or nights as needed between shifts.
• Staff will support clients in working towards the goals outlined in their Individual Service Plans (ISPs)
• Assist clients in researching community resources
• Ensure program rules and policies are observed.
• Provide administrative and operating support to Program Director as needed.
• Work in partnership with other staff, interns and staff from other agencies and hospitals.
• Become certified in CPR, First Aid, Blood borne Pathogens, and CPI (Non-violent Crisis Intervention) according to the schedule of trainings provided by the agency.

High School Diploma with two years’ experience in social services.

Ability to problem solve and diffuse situations.

Calm demeanor, strong engagement skills.

Ability to work evenings and weekend hours.

Must have reliable means of transportation, valid driver's license and proof of insurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, walk up and down stairs, kneel or crouch.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.??