Activities Coordinator

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Activity Coordinator acts as a resource, ally, and advisor to community members at the Navigation Center. You will help build community and design a diverse, well-rounded activities calendar with a wide range of opportunities for guests to engage in positive social spaces. You will act as a listening ear, navigator and at times advocate for guests who need extra support. Activities include but are not limited to: guest orientation, workshops, parties, special events, classes and programming to help our clients become successful. The Activity Coordinator will also provide support to the Shift Supervisor and Ambassadors to facilitate daily shift activities and maintain a safe, healthy environment for staff, guests and their pets.

You will support the Five Keys Home Free mission by creating an environment of mutual respect and fairness while encouraging creative and critical thinking through an equity lens. In addition, you will contribute to our appreciation of diversity and foster a climate of multicultural understanding.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Create a Welcoming and Organized Environment

• Create a warm, engaging, safe atmosphere for residents of and visitors to the Navigation Center. Act as a point-person and liaison as needed.
• Help orient all new participants to Navigation Center rules and programming.
• Develop and maintain organized, consistent activities calendar.
• Create, propose and facilitate groups, workshops, events, on-site clinics and client meetings.
• Develop and maintain organized spaces and systems for hosting events, storing activities supplies, and providing consistent guest services.
• Work with and support other staff or community partners to facilitate groups and events onsite.
• Create and manage Guest Volunteer Program for participants.

Be a Community Navigator

• Encourage participants to engage in groups, activities, and services through outreach, posting/handing out flyers and maintaining the calendar.
• Build relationships with guests and connect them to opportunities and staff that can help support them in their goals and interests.
• Identify and reach out to guests who need more support. Refer guests to Care Managers or operations staff when necessary.
• Collaborate with other staff to support guests. Communicate issues and concerns to operations staff as needed.
• Ensure peaceful diffusion and employ de-escalation techniques in incidents involving violence or threats of violence. Mediate heated situations among participants.

Maintain Successful Programming

• Organize, track and monitor groups, events, programs, and guest attendance and participation.
• Create a programmatic vision and achieve projected goals in a timely and organized manner.
• Maintain Navigation Center records in an accurate, complete, confidential and legible manner (including attendance at group meetings, concerns about individual guests, staff interactions, etc.)
• Immediately report problems to the Assistant Director and Director of the Navigation Center.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Enthusiastic Leader

• Experience event planning and/or running a community space with programming, activities, classes, events and groups.
• Ability to work with guests and think creatively to create dynamic, popular and successful programming initiatives.
• Working knowledge and experience of Navigation Center, homeless shelter or community space project planning and implementation.
• Excellent critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment that requires highly developed emotional intelligence and leadership.

Team Player

• Work as part of a diverse, multi-disciplinary team using a participant-centered, harm reduction approach.
• Maintain professional, respectful, honest interactions with participants, staff and outside agencies.
• Build positive social relationships with guests while maintaining clear professional boundaries at all times.
• Collaborative work style, initiative and flexibility.

Experienced Administrator and Organizational Wizard

• Experience using limited physical space to create a warm, useful and efficient environment for activities programs as well as program equipment storage.
• Working knowledge and experience of shelter project planning and a full understanding of programmatic and participant needs.
• Experience charting, record-keeping, and assist in the development of a community resource list.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Strong knowledge of social services and mental health resources for low-income adults.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Commitment to Five Keys’ mission and to its organizational values.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma or GED required, Associate’s Degree preferred.
• Experience working with homeless populations that use harm-reduction models. Experience working with at-risk populations and/or adults with multiple disabilities.
• Possess a good working knowledge of and sensitivity to individuals with substance abuse and/or mental health issues such as: PTSD, psychosis, borderline behaviors, bi-polar, etc.
• Possess a strong knowledge of social services; as well as mental health resources for low-income adults.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Moderate to extensive degree of physical and emotional stamina
• Frequent and prolonged standing, walking, and sitting
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Occasional reaching with hands and arms
• Ability to follow oral directions in emergency situations
• Lifting items that weigh up to 40 lbs; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities
• Must be able to move from place to place
• Will honor and abide by Five Keys and regulations, including confidentiality

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work environment varies from site to site. There is some personal safety risk working with the at-risk population.
• Moderate to high noise level