Shelter Advocate - PT Evening MM

Shelter Advocate - PT Evening MM-2

Churches United is seeking a Shelter Advocate located in Moorhead, MN.

Role responsibility: create an environment where individuals experiencing homelessness can be safe. By building trust, encourage and support them in connecting with services at Churches United and in the community to secure permanent housing. As an employee of Churches United, staff enjoy the emotional benefits of working at a nonprofit and are committed to paying staff well, often above typical social service compensation.

Churches United, one of the largest providers of shelter and supportive services in the Fargo‑Moorhead area, has been operating since 1987. Our mission is to provide shelter, interim housing, and supportive services that create opportunities for homeless families and individuals to rapidly return to stable housing and long‑term self‑sufficiency. Our service model combines a safe, clean shelter with intensive supportive services that promote dignity and motivate guests to achieve autonomy.

We operate over five sites in the FM area, including a site that provides shelter to single men, women, families, and veterans.

Staff are dedicated to serving our community. Diverse in background, outlook, and life experience, we address important social issues with passion and creativity. A culture of collaboration and innovation provides a thriving environment for all. We foster personal growth through ongoing investment in the professional development of our staff, and we are committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness and helping guests achieve long‑term self‑sufficiency.

We recognize that there is no single cause of family or youth homelessness and no single way that interpersonal violence affects people. While most guests are impacted by different traumas, our services are available to all who need help. The Shelter Advocate will provide essential 24‑hour awake coverage and supervision of the shelter, responsible for welfare, safety, comfort, and daily support to guests.

Crisis intervention, advice, and referrals are part of the role. All employees demonstrate the organizational values and sensitivity to the diversity of our guest base.

• Ensure a comprehensive initial screening process to determine guest eligibility for program services, providing assessments, intakes, and enrollment where appropriate.
• Ensure the safety and security of guests, volunteers, visitors, and staff by communicating guest expectations and conducting internal and external perimeter checks during shift.
• Conduct room and personal property inspections during shift.
• Follow agency and shelter protocols for reporting incidents.
• Conduct new guest orientation to ensure understanding of guest expectations, policies and procedures.
• Understand and effectively respond to guest needs.
• Participate in regular supervision with Shelter Coordinator by providing regular updates.
• Maintain guest files and manage data in accordance with program requirements and NVFS guidelines.
• Maintain current level of knowledge on program software and other information on shelter programs.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, contractors, and donors.
• Assist guests and cleaning staff maintain cleanliness and good upkeep of shelter and grounds, including sweeping, mopping, and cleaning in the absence of professional cleaning services as needed.

• Is dependable – more reliable than spontaneous.
• Has the ability to encourage and adhere to the rights and responsibilities of guests in a behavior‑based, low‑barrier environment.
• Is people‑oriented – enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects.
• Is detail‑oriented – would rather focus on details of work than the bigger picture.
• Is autonomous/independent – enjoys working with little direction.
• Is innovative – prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity.
• Has a high stress tolerance – thrives in a high‑pressure environment.
• Has the ability to be calming and helpful in difficult situations.
• Has the ability to provide support and supervision to volunteers.
• Has basic literacy and computer skills:…