HS SUPPORT STAFF at Interfaith Works – Olympia, Washington

Job Title: Shelter Support Staff

Organization: Interfaith Works

Employment Type: 0.5-0.75 FTE, 25-35 hours weekly, on-call expectations

Reports To: Shelter Management Team

Compensation: $21.50/hour

About Interfaith Works Homeless Services

Interfaith Works Homeless Services program has three core programs: The Unity Commons Shelter, Sergio’s Place Service Center, and the Navigation Team. We provide 24/7 shelter services, basic needs coordination, and daytime services for adult individuals/couples without children of all genders experiencing homelessness. We support our neighbors living on the streets, in wooded areas, cars, under awnings, in alcoves, and in abandoned buildings. The IW homeless services are dedicated to providing emergency services and support to those in need, not as charity but as an act of social justice.

Position Summary:

Support Staff play a crucial role in these programs by providing overnight shelter services, basic needs coordination, and daytime services to adult individuals and couples without dependent children of all genders experiencing homelessness. Support Staff directly support guests, ensure daily operations are being met, and maintain the spatial safety of the shelter buildings. Support Staff comprise the majority of IWHS employees. Unity Common's is a 24-hour facility.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Guest Support and Resource Coordination: Monitor and perform tasks necessary for all supportive services on-site, including distributing mail, facilitating access to showers and laundry, assisting guests with using the shared kitchen, and cleaning tasks.

2. Policy Enforcement and Safety Monitoring: Monitor and enforce the good neighbor and guest agreement policies with shelter guests, volunteers, and visitors to the shelter. Conduct safety and perimeter checks of the entire property grounds, including inside and outside the shelter. Maintain an environment of safety, security, and respect for all guests, staff, and volunteers that is conducive to respite and care. Address challenging behaviors while maintaining unconditional positive regard for all involved. Staff may need to conduct rapid COVID-19 testing on-site when necessary.

3. Conflict Mediation and De-Escalation: Engage in trauma-informed, harm reduction-based conflict mediation and de-escalation when conflict arises. Staff are responsible for maintaining the tone.

4. Teamwork and Communication: Staff are expected to work collaboratively with a diverse group of people both inside and outside our agency. Expectation to always be kind and warm to volunteers.

5. Emergency Response and Back-Up: Responsible for providing back-up/fill-in/on-call if shift staffing levels are required. Staff are trained in opioid overdose prevention and naloxone training and may be required to administer naloxone in the event of an overdose. Staff may need to call 911 for emergency medical response when guests have medical needs beyond the scope of shelter staff.

6. Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge, skills, willingness and self-awareness to deliver culturally humble services and work effectively in multicultural situations. This includes addressing and interrupting oppression in all forms.

7. Familiarize yourself and maintain professional rapport with our partner agencies and providers that we will collaborating with at Unity Commons.

8. Must have the ability to practice self-care, have good boundaries, a good sense of humor, and an ability to roll with the punches of a very hectic environment are key qualities that we are lloking for in a new hire.

9. Have access to reliable transportation and be able to arrive on time each day.

10. Must have the ability to work well with others in close teams of two or more staff members, volunteers and partner agencies.

11. Flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness are necessary skills are essential.

12. Ability to meet our guests "where they are at" without judgement or prejudice.

13. We require a background check as part of our hiring process.

Qualifications/Skills/Abilities:

• Applicants must successfully pass a background check before an offer of employment.

• Ability to spend significant portions of an 8-10 hour work shift on your feet and lift up to 25 pounds.

• Availability to work on-call, with a working phone and the ability to check email.

• Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge, skills, willingness, and self-awareness to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in a multicultural environment. This includes addressing and interrupting oppression in all forms on an ongoing basis.

• Experience in direct service and community organizing is desirable; personal experience and understanding of the homeless population may be substituted.

• Ability to perform light administrative duties and navigate Google Suite.

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.

• Must be able to think on your feet in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment. Must be willing and able to make sound judgments without on-site supervision.

• Ability to practice self-care, have good boundaries, a good sense of humor, and an ability to roll with the punches in a very hectic environment.

Compensations and Benefits:

• Starting compensation at $21.50/hour, with built-in annual raises capping at $26.00/hour at 4 years of service

• Benefits package includes health insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums at average of 25 worked hours per week

• Generous PTO rate

• A supportive and mission-driven work environment

We

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.; Thursdays' On-Call