Family & Shelter Advocate Part-time, Seattle

Overview

Family & Shelter Advocate (Saturday day, Part-time, downtown Seattle)

Join to apply for the Family & Shelter Advocate (Saturday day, Part-time, downtown Seattle) role at Mary's Place
.

We are seeking a responsible and energetic individual with a passion for serving families at our 24-hour shelter locations. Family & Shelter Advocates work with parents and children experiencing homelessness and in need of a safe refuge. General responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating shelter activities, providing care and crisis management, facilitating a set program schedule, maintaining a clean environment, and offering acceptance and hope.

This part-time, non-exempt position is located at our downtown Seattle site (The Glen).

Schedule:

Saturday, 7:00 am - 4:30 p.m. (9 hours). Wage: $25.00/hour DOE.

Mary’s Place equity work—striving for racially equitable outcomes and taking responsibility for creating, maintaining, and affirming communities for people of color, immigrants and refugees, trans and gender-non-conforming people, and other populations who routinely encounter systemic oppress ions. As an equal opportunity employer, people of color are encouraged to apply.

Guest Relations (40%)

• Lead Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA) check-ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter.
• Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services.
• Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high-quality shelter services.
• Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries.
• Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma-informed crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
• Collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team-based, solution-oriented approach to the work; and high-quality service delivery.

Shelter Operations & Procedures (30%)

• Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment—disinfect high-touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling.
• Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation.
• Move around the facility and maintain an active and engaging presence around shelter.
• Record and report any building/facility concerns.
• Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings.

Implementation of Guest Enrichment Programming (15%)

• Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our guests. Provide feedback to Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness of programming and ideas for improvement.
• Welcome and help orient volunteers to the space and their roles; actively engage volunteers in shelter activities.

Data Entry & Information Management (15%)

• Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, and accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation.
• Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality.
• Maintain up-to-date community resources as provided by other program teams, and make them easily accessible to guests.

Skills/Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Shelter Advocate is strongly preferred
• Two or more years of work or volunteer experience in a social services setting, OR one or more years of social services experience combined with one or more years of customer service experience
• Experience working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is highly preferred
• Passion for and demonstrated experience working with children and families is preferred
• Demonstrated creative problem solving, conflict de-escalation, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills
• Demonstrated understanding of…