Care Advocate

Company Overview The vision of St. Vincent de Paul – Dayton District Council is to improve the lives of people in need in the Miami Valley.

Our Mission is to, with Christian purpose, accompany those in need one person at a time by focusing on shelter, food and clothing.

Every day we let our light shine!

Position Summary/Objective The Care Advocate promotes a culture of safety, hospitality, service, honor, and respect among our homeless guests, our staff, and volunteers, for the purpose of furthering the vision and mission of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The Care Advocate interacts with and engages guests seeking shelter in the Gateway Shelters and provides them with necessary and related services, to include agency service referrals to other community sources.

This individual is responsible for maintaining order and safety during their shift. The Care Advocate inputs guest information into

HMIS as needed. This individual also assists with housekeeping and/or meal preparation duties as requested.

Essential functions

Interact with and engage guests utilizing the services of the St. Vincent Gateway Shelters.

Obtain new intake data from each guest and ensure that the importance of and reasons for existing rules, regulations, policies and procedures are fully explained. Input data into HMIS as required.

Assist guests with phone calls for business, jobs, housing options, and other relevant community resources.

Initiate structured activities that involve guests.

Demonstrate the expectation for guests to maintain sleeping areas, bathrooms, and common areas in a neat and orderly manner at all times.

Remain attentive to guests’ concerns and complaints. Report relevant and important information to applicable Care Advocate Supervisor and/or Case Managers so that appropriate assistance and/or referrals can be made.

Inform Case Managers of guest requests and needs on a regular basis.

Inform guests of any case management schedule changes and relay messages from case managers to appropriate guests.

Make regular rounds of the shelter to ensure security and order is always maintained. Be in assigned areas to ensure effective guest services and security.

Provide professional guidance to assigned volunteers relative to the roles they need to play in relating to the guests.

Ensure that all personal hygiene items and linen supplies are stocked in the appropriate locations and available for use during the next shift.

Assign beds, distribute personal items, and provide clean clothing for guests as needed.

Perform housekeeping and custodial duties as needed.

Make entries in the logbook regarding any unusual activity during the shift. Coordinate with other Care Advocates at the time of shift change, sharing any and all information regarding unusual occurrences with guests during the shift.

Remain in dining room during meal service.

Identify children eating meals and record on the Child & Adult Care Food Program unit  an effective and contributing member of the shelter operations team.

Required education and experience

High School Diploma or equivalent1-2 years of demonstrated experience working with diverse population

Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries when working with diverse populations

Experience with Microsoft Office software including spreadsheet/database

Verbal/written communication skillsinterpersonal skills

Problem/ conflict resolution skills

Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds for short distances

Preferred education and experience

Associate’s Degree in Mental Health Technology, Case Management, or related field

Additional eligibility requirements

Act as an on-call contact outside regular working hours as needed

Accessibility via a cell phone

Work overtime as requested

Furnish a reliable, personal means of transportation in order to accomplish work objectives

Work a nonstandard work week, work evening or night shift hour, at various locations and/or provide coverage for other positions, shifts or functions as needed
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