Program Advocate, Young Parent Program

Open Pantry Teen Parenting Program Relief Staff

The Open Pantry Teen Parenting Program is a residential program for teenage parents and their children. The Relief Staff is responsible for all aspects of shelter operation during his/her shift including maintenance of the house and supervision of families.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Have knowledge of house rules/expectations and logs any infractions of those rules.
• Attends assigned household tasks such as laundry, remaking rooms, etc.
• Attending staff meetings and training as required.
• Complete hourly house checks for purposes of safety and security.
• Participate in shift change at beginning and end of shift.
• Answer the phone and take messages.
• Maintain cleanliness and order in staff office.
• Build and maintain respectful helping relationships with clients.
• Supervise curfews and bedtimes when applicable.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of the specialty.
• Attend & participate in engagement team meetings, follow up with client service plans and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other specialty areas.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Previous experience working with homeless and/or teens preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bilingual preferred.

Organizational Relationship:
Directly reports to the Program Director.

Physical Requirement:

• Must be able to climb three flights of stairs as there is no elevator in the program.
• Must be able to climb up and down the stairs throughout your entire assigned shift.
• Program is not handicapped accessible.
• Must be able to work overnights.
• Assigned chores may include bending and stooping, carrying, light lifting and pushing.

Working Conditions:

The program is operated out of a three-story house located in the North end of Springfield, MA. Staff are required to do hourly in-house checks and be able to respond to guests' needs on all floors. There is minimal lifting involved. Driving is also a requirement as the program is required to pick up all referrals to the program. As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Program Advocate will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

Varies, all shifts available.

20 Hours per week