STEP Housing Advocate

Job summary

Housing Advocates (HA) are responsible for daily oversight and programming at the STEP Shelter. Housing Advocates ensure client safety and support crisis intervention, programming/workshops, assist clients with case management goals and overall operational assistance of the STEP shelter. Housing Advocates support clients with day-to-day needs, de-escalation and crisis intervention, house maintenance, life skills workshops and group programming. HA’s support case plans that may include document readiness, service referrals, education or employment readiness, mental health support of clients in the STEP program. We operate under a housing-first, low barrier framework. Program participants have often experienced trauma, homelessness, engagement with criminal justice and/or foster care systems, substance use/abuse, and/or mental health challenges. Low-barrier services are designed to reach disconnected LGBTQ+ transitional-aged youth (18-24 years old) as the program is rooted in trauma-informed care and harm reduction models. Housing Advocates work to reduce the traumatic impacts from being unhoused by creating a safe, inclusive and stable short-term housing environment where their basic needs are met. In partnership with their Case Manager, other program staff, and community partners, we are working as a team to support the client’s capacity to achieve and maintain long-term housing stability, strengthen life skills and self-reliance, upon entry into our program.

• Due to the nature of the residential and crisis-response environment, Housing Advocates may be required to remain on-site and available to respond to participant's needs during their shifts.
• As a result, this role may require an on-duty meal period when coverage cannot be relieved, consistent with operational needs and applicable labor requirements.
• ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provide client support, including ensuring client accountability to all program requirements and standards of conduct.
• Support program implementation.
• Support clients with daily activities, de-escalation and crisis intervention, resources, and referrals.
• Support clients with their case management goals.
• Help to maintain housing guidelines.
• Assist with meals and maintaining a safe and clean housing environment.
• Providing coverage for other housing staff and program team members as needed Complete documentation in a timely manner, per agency guidelines.
• Client Advocate Support: Support and motivate clients in case plan activities including identified goals, such as: obtaining identification, applying for healthcare and food assistance, engaging in a mental health program, life skills workshops and job readiness.
• Ensure client accountability to Center Code of Conduct, Community Agreements, and policies related to housing program and provision of services are followed, with safety at the forefront.
• Ensure strict client adherence to the prohibition of contraband including non-prescribed drugs and weapons in Center facilities.
• Ensure prescribed medications are properly secured by clients, dispersed according to the directions of their healthcare provider, and recorded appropriately.
• Support Program Implementation: Accurately record all services provided to clients in the client data systems, assist with data reporting for grant reports, and complete shift notes for each shift worked.
• Ensure materials/supplies are adequately stocked for program needs.
• Support the general cleanliness and maintenance of housing facilities.
• Asist with implementation of resident activities, workshops, special events, and skill building workshops as requested by program managers.
• Support activities conducted by collaborative partners, including maintaining appropriate relationships with partner program staff and basic understanding of referral/resource networks for transitional age youth.
• Support Clients with Crisis Intervention: Identify the signs of potential crisis and work to proactively engage with clients in prevention and if necessary, de-escalation.
• Informing Housing leadership of any concerning client behaviors/patterns.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of the internal and external intervention resources and assist clients with linkage to care.
• Practice of trauma-informed care services and understanding of serving BIPOC/LGBTQ+/ marginalized individuals, while ensuring the collective safety of residents and staff is consistently prioritized in our facilities.
• General Duties: Functions as an essential member of the Housing Team when providing direct services to clients and coverage to staff.
• Participate in resident meetings, department meetings, all-staff meetings, planning meetings, and trainings, as required by manager.
• Collaborate closely with other Housing Advocates, Case Managers, Housing Manager, Director of Housing Services as well as staff in Health Services, Youth & Family Programs, Advocacy & Training, Operations, Development, and Grant Management Teams.
• Handle a variety of special projects and other related duties, as assigned.
• QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Knowledge and understanding of the issues, needs, and interests of LGBTQIA2S+ youth, including a thorough understanding of the intersections of race and the spectrum of gender and sexual identities.
• Experience working with queer and transgender Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color experiencing homelessness, undocumented community members and asylum seekers, people living with HIV/AIDS, people with mental health and addiction issues, non-native English speakers, having modeled a client-centered approach is critical.
• Thorough knowledge and practice in crisis prevention, intervention, and client motivation Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in an intersectional environment.

Availability

8 ½ hour shifts with on-duty meal break.

Requirements

Personal commitment to the Center’s mission and work to create a region where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive and a passion for LGBTQ+ issues including a robust understanding of anti-racist frameworks, intersectionality, systems of oppression, civil rights, and a thorough understanding/lived experience with homelessness is critical. Must be at least 21 years of age.

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a Social Sciences or related field is preferred but not required; 4+ of years direct experience may be substituted for formal education.

Experience

Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a social services, youth development, or homeless services environment.

Certifications

• CPR/First Aid and Mental Health
• First
• Aid
• Certification
• Required
• Computer/Office
• Equipment
• Skills: Proficiency working with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, and Teams and client tracking database systems. Access to reliable transportation is required.
• Physical
• Demands: The person in this position will be required to sit or stand for extended periods, maneuver tight storage space, move objects up to 25 pounds, ascend/descend stairs, operate office equipment, open and close filing cabinets and boxes, observe visitors, and communicate messages by telephone. Offer of employment may be contingent on satisfactory results of a criminal history background check. Employees must be legally permitted to work in the United States. The Sacramento LGBT Community Center is a drug free workplace; employees may be subject to a drug test.
• Vaccination
• Requirement: All employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and are encouraged to stay up to date annually or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
• ABOUT
• THE
• ORGANIZATION: The Sacramento LGBT Community Center works to create a region where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive. We support health and wellness, advocate for equity and justice, and work to uplift a diverse and culturally rich LGBTQ+ community.
• EQUAL
• OPPORTUNITY: The Sacramento LGBT Community Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All individuals, including those of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are encouraged to apply. The Center maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees, volunteers, interns, and applicants. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any matter by actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, sex, age, national origin, marital status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, physical or mental disability (including HIV or AIDS), medical/mental condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by statute; nor as to any individuals associating with an individual of any legally protected class.
• TO
• APPLY: Please submit application materials through our career portal at saccenter.org/careers. No phone calls please. Posting will remain up until position is filled.