Who are you:

The Family Shelter Program Staff is part of the shelter program team and is responsible for completing tasks associated with the day-to-day shelter operations of our clients family shelter programs that currently serve 50 families combined, including congregate, scattered site and motel/hotel units. Our programs are funded primarily by the Executive Offices of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Department of Public Health (DPH), Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS).

What will you be doing:

• Use a strengths-based, trauma-informed care and a collaborative approach with participants.

• Treat all participants, guests, staff, collaterals, vendors, contractors, and volunteers with respect and dignity.

• Maintain excellent boundaries, a high degree of confidentiality and ethical behavior, and always adhere to all HIPPA regulations.

• Use language translation services, accordingly, as described in contractual agreements to ensure clear and accurate communication.

• Document and communicate effectively with the shelter program team to ensure continuity of care.

• Ensure that each participant's emergency and basic needs are met upon entry and during the entirety of their stay.

• Participate in all company, staff, and supervision meetings and maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of resources for essential, programmatic, and supportive services, including but not limited to best practices, trauma informed care, strength-based approaches, and other modalities, via third party training.

• Prepare and submit Serious Incident Reports to the Senior Director.

• Initiate non-violent crisis prevention/ intervention when necessary and apply de-escalation and safety skills and techniques during responses. Initiate calls to 911 or the 24/7 Behavioral Crisis team, as outlined in program policies and procedures.

• Develop positive, productive, and collaborative relationships with families, while upholding guidelines, rules, and behavioral expectations.

• Submit maintenance tickets or supply requests as needed for participants.

• Support participants in their housing search and assist participants with housing applications. Including assisting with the completion of applications, review of applications, photocopying applications, and mailing applications.

• Arrive on time and stay for the full duration of the assigned shift until relieved by staff.

• Check all emails from your last shift.

• All shifts require staff to be awake for the entire duration of the shift.

• Answer telephone and field questions as appropriate.

• Maintain participant census accurately throughout shift to ensure all participants are accounted for.

• Ensure participant safety by completing hourly rounds, supervising participant behavior, interactions in shelter site and outdoor property.

• Maintain detailed documentation in staff log of all significant events and interactions throughout your shift; complete incident reports as necessary for events such as interactions with local law enforcement, calls to 911, for an ambulance, or to crisis stabilization services, altercations among participants/guests, etc.

• Orient/train temp agency staff and ensure temp staff are familiar with the policies, procedures, and scope of service as determined by Citizens Inn and contracting agencies.

• Use the cleaning supplies available to clean the units when they become vacant as assigned by direct supervisor.

• Clean common areas throughout the building as per shift responsibility checklist.

• Clean and sanitize office space during shift.

• Stock all necessary materials and neatly put them away throughout shift in the kitchen, bathrooms, dining room, front desk, and other designated storage areas.

• Dispose of trash in the office and common areas daily, including boxes.

• Monitor the self-administration of medication by participants to ensure all medications are taken as prescribed by the provider., and complete and maintain all medication documentation in accordance with our client's policies and procedure and contractual agreements.

• Work with families to store medications in a safe and secure area, separate and apart from cleaning fluids and toxic substances, and inaccessible to children under the age of 10. Each family's medications must be made available to them to ensure that they are able to take their prescribed dosages at the prescribed times. During unit inspections, any identified medications found unsecure must immediately be stored out of reach of children under the age of 10 and adults must be informed of the importance of storing medicines in a safe and secure area inaccessible to children under the age of 10.

• Monitor community meals, program groups, children's play space, and ensure safe and appropriate interactions among participants.

• Provide necessary equipment and supplies for each family to maintain the cleanliness of their own room and/or scattered site and co-shelter unit.

• Work collaboratively with supervisor and maintenance staff to establish and/or maintain schedule of complete routine walkthroughs of all shelter units and serve as back up to maintenance when they are not able to complete walk throughs.

• Work collaboratively with the case management team to facilitate and support participants' rehousing plans; communicate concerns/successes regarding families and work closely with case managers to welcome, stabilize, and orient participants.

• Support case management team by conducting participant intakes with new participants, reviewing all program policies and procedures with incoming participants, administering and documenting results of drug Revised 8-30-23 TK and alcohol screenings, and documenting and communicating any concerning behaviors or interactions with participants to their case manager.

• Assist program coordinators with managing daily shelter tasks/activities with families and report family progress to assigned Case Managers.

• Assist team members with follow up tasks as needed and provide updates accordingly.

• Assist Program Coordinators with tracking and reporting the use of supportive services.

• Other tasks as deemed appropriate by supervisor.

• Shifts for this position vary and might require some weekends and holidays.

Our ideal candidate has:

High school diploma/GED required, with preference given to candidates pursuing or holding a BS in a related field.
Residential experience and/or direct experience in providing services to persons/families experiencing homelessness, trauma, and/or substance use preferred.
Familiarity with governmental agencies such as the Department of Transitional Assistance and Department of Public Health preferred, with ETO/VESTA a plus.
Professional knowledge of/experience with EOHLC, local or regional housing authorities/agencies, and DCF a plus.
Personal qualities and skills: good interpersonal and communication skills orally and in writing, initiative, positive attitude, non-judgmental, empathetic, compassionate, accountable, resourceful, good time management and organizational ability, good judgment, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple tasks and crises and prioritize, ability to work with a diverse population, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Prior experience required, preferably having two years of experience in the field of Substance Use.
Reliable attendance and punctual reporting of work required.
Previous training in crisis prevention/intervention strongly desired (i.e., CPI or equivalent).
Valid driver's license preferred. • Bilingual, multicultural, and candidates with lived experience/expertise are encouraged to apply.
CPR/First Aid Certification required, or shortly upon hire.
CORI required.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a program staff to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The program staff must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The program staff must be able to sit for extended periods of time, work on a computer keyboard, and climb up several flights of stairs.

About our client:

Our client breaks the patterns of instability that lead to homelessness and hunger on the North Shore, one individual at a time, by providing a safe, dignified, nurturing, and supportive environment in which every individual may achieve stability, resilience and independence. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate, committed and qualified individual to join our dynamic, mission-driven, growing organization.

Additional information:

Full-time, direct hire position
Onsite
2nd and overnight shift available
$22.00/$24.00hour depending on experience
Offers competitive benefits package which includes dental, health, life and short-term disability insurances, 401k with company match, generous paid time off.