Shelter Associate

Housing Navigation Center Job

The Housing Navigation Center (HNC) is a resource center that provides services to people experiencing homelessness, helps people regain housing, and helps households in Weld County navigate local housing resources. As part of Weld's Way Home, Weld County's initiative to address and prevent homelessness, the HNC provides clear access to housing services ranging from homelessness prevention to overnight shelter. The person in this role will use a Housing First focus to assist in overnight shelter operations and tasks.

They will work directly with people experiencing homelessness to provide a safe, effective, and welcoming emergency shelter.

General duties include working with people experiencing homelessness during shelter hours to provide a welcoming shelter environment, ensuring guest and staff safety, and providing guests with appropriate resources. The person will maintain overnight shift availability, including the ability to fill in shifts when needed. They will perform shelter check-in/check-out responsibilities including completing intakes, assisting with meal service, preparing sleeping areas, handing out donations, and maintaining shelter cleanliness and organization.

They will carry out HNC policies and procedures for overnight shelter activities including COVID-19 procedures, shelter safety policies, and general operational procedures. They will direct and guide new guests to orient them to the space and policies as needed. They will utilize trauma-informed de-escalation techniques to address guest concerns and mitigate conflict. They will maintain relationships among community partner agencies, key stakeholders, and the Weld County community to increase awareness of shelter resources and to maintain shelter stability.

They will coordinate with the HNC staff to ensure seamless service delivery between daytime and night-time operations. They will assist in staffing extreme weather days during daytime shelter hours, when required. They will assist in staffing offsite overflow shelter if activated during weather emergencies. They will maintain neighborhood relationships around the HNC. They will participate in training around Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, Mental Health First Aid, and other necessary topics.

They will accurately record services, intake, and assessment data for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

United Way of Weld County general duties include supporting and promoting the mission, values, goals, and objectives of United Way, including representing United Way in professional organizations and the community (as assigned). They will support fundraising efforts of United Way and activities that support United Way. They will support United Way annual events, disaster response, and other activities as assigned. They will participate in staff meetings and in service opportunities.

They will contribute to organizational promotions including writing promotional copy, proofreading informational and campaign materials, participation in outreach, etc. They will have other duties as assigned.

Working conditions include frequent walking and standing on concrete and tiled floors, brief periods of outdoor work required during winter months, possible exposure to communicable diseases, and handling of guest contraband items including paraphernalia and weapons with proper PPE and training.

Essential skills include the ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts, self-motivated; proven excellent performance standards and quality of work, excellent customer service and phone skills, effective interpersonal communication skills including one-on-one conversations, ability to effectively respond to escalated situations or crisis, proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs, data and intake experience in HMIS or related data systems, networking and community relationship building skills, and ability to work independently and as a team player.

Education/experience requirements include a high school diploma, homeless services, case management, social work, health/human services, public health, or…