Participant Advocate I/II, OVERNIGHT

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Position Summary: The Participant Advocate (PA) I is responsible for providing operational support and oversight at an emergency shelter location during an assigned shift that may include day, swing or graveyard. The Participant Advocate I ensure that all interactions with participants are housing focused. The position facilitates safe operations of on-site communal programming and other day-to-day shelter activities. This position responds to participant requests, explains and facilitates shelter expectations, and shares information and referrals as appropriate for obtaining housing. The Participant Advocate I participates in agency and countywide data tracking efforts including data entry into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Under the direction of a Participant Advocate III or Program Site Coordinator or Program Manager, the Participant Advocate I accomplish special shelter projects and assigned work assignments. The Participant Advocate I helps to register and screen incoming clients, completing required forms, and monitoring communal health and safety. The Participant Advocate I’s knowledge and understanding of relevant resources is housing focused, trauma informed, and oriented toward individual / family resilience.

Typical Duties Include (but are not limited to):
Demonstrate Housing First ideals in on-going housing-focused conversations with participants. May research local housing opportunities and share with participants and/or coordinate with case management.
Learn and utilize harm reduction and motivational interviewing concepts and strategies.
Work an assigned shelter shift (day, swing, graveyard), performing necessary duties under minimal supervision.
Assist with conflict resolution, encouraging positive methods of problem solving, respectful communication and self-restraint, discern when to disengage and when to request for assistance from others.
Assist with supervision of community volunteers and shelter participants, ensure that volunteers and shelter participants meet all agency and program requirements.
Learn and maintain an in-depth knowledge of agency and partner resources, build relationships with staff of partner agencies to facilitate communication and referrals, use referral processes and train volunteers to use them.
Cleaning and sanitation duties as required, occasional work with biohazards.
Maintain documentation and enter and track all necessary information for communicating with co-workers and management.
Complete program intake and exit paperwork, accurately, timely, and with minimal errors, inputting information accurately and timely into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Attend staff meetings and in-service trainings.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
May involve food preparation for client meals/laundrey duties/cleaning duties.

Catholic Charities considers this position to be a mandated reporter of child and elder abuse.

Agency Culture: It is essential that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:

A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values;
A commitment to excellence in everything we do;
A commitment to accreditation as well as performance and quality improvement;
A commitment to outcomes and measured results;
A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required:
High School Diploma, and one (1) year previous experience working or volunteering with individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness or equivalent related work experience, required.
Strong written and verbal communication, organizational, conflict resolution and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to learn and apply various engagement techniques to a variety of situations.
Understanding of causes of homelessness, experience working within social services and familiarity with community resources.
Knowledge of Housing First principles and methods preferred.
Computer literacy required, including experience with Microsoft 365, and Excel.
Great interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to defuse conflict in a positive manner.
Ability to discern when to disengage or request for assistance from others.
Successful completion of a background/reference check required as a condition of employment.

Physical Requirements:
Requires ability to sit up to 3-6 hours per day.
Requires ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, pull/push, and grasp up to 3 hours per day.
Occasionally may be required to lift items up to 25 pounds to a height up to 3 feet.
Occasionally may be required to carry items up to 25 pounds for distances up to one block.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.