Temporary Advocate

Overview

Location: Sacramento, CA (This position is not eligible for remote work)

Availability: The STEP Shelter operates 4:30pm – 9:30am PT. The available position is for the Morning Shift 12:30am – 9:00am. This is a temporary full-time, grant-funded position of 34 - 40 hours over 4 - 5 shifts.

Job Summary: Housing Advocates (HA) are responsible for daily oversight and programming at the STEP Shelter. Housing Advocates ensure client safety and support crisis intervention, programming/workshops, assist clients with case management goals and overall operational assistance of the STEP shelter. Housing Advocates support clients with day-to-day needs, de-escalation and crisis intervention, house maintenance, life skills workshops and group programming. HAs support case plans that may include document readiness, service referrals, education or employment readiness, mental health support of clients in the STEP program.

The program operates under a housing-first, low barrier framework, serving primarily LGBTQ+ transitional-aged youth (18-24 years old) as the program is rooted in trauma-informed care and harm reduction models.

Housing Advocates work to reduce the traumatic impacts from being unhoused by creating a safe, inclusive and stable short-term housing environment where basic needs are met. In partnership with their Case Manager, other program staff, and community partners, we are working as a team to support the client’s capacity to achieve and maintain long-term housing stability, strengthen life skills and self-reliance, upon entry into our program.

Due to the residential and crisis-response environment, Housing Advocates may be required to remain on-site and available to respond to participants needs during their shifts. As a result, this role may require an on-duty meal period when coverage cannot be relieved, consistent with operational needs and applicable labor requirements.

• Provide client support, including ensuring client accountability to all program requirements and standards of conduct.
• Support program implementation.
• Support clients with daily activities, de-escalation and crisis intervention, resources, and referrals.
• Support clients with their case management goals.
• Help to maintain housing guidelines.
• Assist with meals and maintaining a safe and clean housing environment.
• Providing coverage for other housing staff and program team members as needed.

• Support and motivate clients in case plan activities including identified goals, such as obtaining identification, applying for healthcare and food assistance, engaging in a mental health program, life skills workshops and job readiness.
• Ensure client accountability to Center Code of Conduct, Community Agreements, and policies related to housing program and provision of services are followed, with safety at the forefront.
• Ensure strict client adherence to the prohibition of contraband including non-prescribed drugs and weapons in Center facilities.
• Ensure prescribed medications are properly secured by clients, dispersed according to the directions of their healthcare provider, and recorded appropriately.

• Accurately record all services provided to clients in the client data systems, assist with data reporting for grant reports, and complete shift notes for each shift worked.
• Ensure materials/supplies are adequately stocked for program needs.
• Support the general cleanliness and maintenance of housing facilities.
• Assist with implementation of resident activities, workshops, special events, and skill building workshops as requested by program managers.
• Support activities conducted by collaborative partners, including maintaining appropriate relationships with partner program staff and basic understanding of referral/resource networks for transitional age youth.

• Identify the signs of potential crisis and work to proactively engage with clients in prevention and if necessary, de-escalation. Informing Housing leadership of any concerning client behaviors/patterns.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of the internal and external intervention resources and…