Resident Advocate (On Call)

Compensation: $25/hour

Company Overview

For more than 50 years, Insight Housing (formerly BFHP) has provided a comprehensive range of housing, food, and support services to help those in need move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own. We serve in seven counties in the bay area - Alameda County, San Francisco County, Contra Costa County, Solano County, Sacramento County, San Joaquin County and Amador County. We are proud of our team members who are very dedicated to our mission to ease and end the crisis of homelessness in our communities.

Program Overview

The Women's Shelter Program is a 24-7 shelter that serves 32 homeless women providing meals, laundry, secure storage of property and on-site staffing and services. The program is a temporary shelter and offers homeless individuals a safe place to stay and support while they build income, skills, and seek permanent housing. Our women's shelter (in operation since 1992) and our men's shelter (launched in 1986), each have 32 beds.

Position Summary

Under supervision of the Program Manager, the Resident Advocate provides direct supportive services and supervision to homeless individuals in our men and women's shelter. Responsibilities include client intakes, assisting with activities of daily living, HMIS data entry, assessing clients to determine barriers to housing, assisting with completing documents, and providing referrals to various community services including substance abuse treatment, CES housing navigation, mental health services, benefits advocacy and veteran's services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain clear and effective communications with clients, ensure that their needs are met. Practice active and empathetic listening.

• Maintain supervision of clients and shelter property at all times.

• Provide emotional support and counseling to clients.

• Provide information and referral to various resources as needed.

• Manage new client intake process- accept referrals from the Coordinated Entry System (CES); manage emergency one-night beds; ensure enrollment of each client in the Alameda County HMIS system; provide new client orientations including review of the Shelter Handbook with each new client.

• Create new client intake packets and client charts.

• Update North County HUB spreadsheet and shelter sign-in sheets daily.

• Provide supportive services including preparing and serving meals, stripping beds, cleaning and organizing, laundry, updating client housing board, restocking cleaning supplies and properly storing food following health and safety guidelines after serving meals.

• Assist clients with and enable them to manage activities of daily living including proper bathing and hygiene practices, maintaining room cleanliness, and completing various chores.

• Provide crisis intervention and advocate on behalf of clients as needed.

• Educate client on program and facility rules and procedures clearly. Ensure clients are following these rules and procedures in a consistent manner.

• Complete and file all paperwork (statistics or any other information requested by supervisor) in a timely and accurate manner.

• Review and update staff log and client communication log each shift and in accordance to established procedures.

• Provide accurate, timely, and complete transfer of program and client information to other staff as they begin their shift.

• Participate in program planning and policy development for all clients.

• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment consistent with agency's health and safety practices.

• Attend and participate in all meetings and trainings as assigned.

• Complete and submit timesheets in a timely and accurate manner.

• Work within the framework of Insight Housing's Code of Conduct.

• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities

• High school or GED, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Commitment to serving homeless individuals. Prior experience providing supportive services to homeless individuals highly preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, email, internet, and calendaring applications preferred.

• Good verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and crisis intervention skills with a can do and flexible attitude.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision, multitask, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines.

• Ability to maintain professional conduct, attitude and appearance at all times.

Special Requirements

• Must be able to obtain background clearance.

• May be required to lift or move up to 50 lbs.

• Must be able to receive and maintain criminal records clearance.

• May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is

• Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, talk, hear, and see clearly.

• May be occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch.

• May be required to lift or move up to 50 lbs.

We are extremely proud of our diverse team and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.