Lead Safety Advocate

Description

Program: The Harbor

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Status: Full-time, non-exempt

City Care is looking for a calm, steady and people-centered leader to help create a safe and welcoming environment at The Harbor.

The Lead Safety Advocate provides day-to-day leadership for The Harbor's Safety Advocate team while remaining actively engaged in the daily rhythm of the shelter. This person will coordinate safety operations, support and coach team members, respond to emerging concerns, and help ensure guests, staff and volunteers experience The Harbor as a place grounded in dignity, consistency and respect.

This is an unarmed, non-clinical role. Safety Advocates do not perform physical interventions. Instead, this work relies on visible presence, strong relationships, verbal de-escalation, sound judgment, clear boundaries and thoughtful risk mitigation.

The Lead Safety Advocate will also serve as an important bridge between The Harbor and Tulsa-area first responders, helping police, fire and other community partners understand when and how The Harbor may be an appropriate resource for a neighbor in need.

Lead Safety Operations

• Provide day-to-day leadership for Safety Advocates during the assigned shift, coordinating coverage, priorities and communication.
• Maintain a visible, calm and welcoming presence throughout The Harbor.
• Pay attention to the environment, identify emerging safety concerns and take appropriate preventive action before situations escalates.
• Serve as the lead point of contact when safety concerns become more complex or require additional support.
• Coordinate clear shift handoffs so incoming staff understand significant incidents, concerns, follow-up needs and other important information.
• Ensure incidents, hazards, admission decisions and other significant events are documented accurately and consistently.
• Support emergency response in accordance with City Care procedures, including contacting outside responders when additional assistance is needed.
• Participate in incident reviews and help identify practical ways to improve prevention, communication and response.
• Perform other responsibilities consistent with the scope and level of the position as The Harbor grows.

Guest Engagement + De-escalation

• Engage every guest in a way that recognizes their dignity, autonomy and intrinsic value.
• Use verbal de-escalation, respectful communication and sound judgment to reduce conflict and support safe outcomes.
• Make guest admission determinations using established program criteria and procedures, communicating decisions clearly, consistently and respectfully.
• Maintain appropriate professional and non-clinical boundaries.
• Connect guests with program, clinical or emergency resources when their needs extend beyond the Safety Advocate role.
• Help balance individual guest needs, the wellbeing of the broader Harbor community and established program expectations using the least restrictive response appropriate to the situation.

Lead + Develop the Team

• Provide daily direction, coaching, support and accountability to Safety Advocates.
• Set clear expectations for communication, professionalism, documentation, teamwork and guest-centered safety practices.
• Facilitate shift briefings and debriefings that build shared awareness and help the team learn from what happens each day.
• Model calm decision-making, compassionate engagement, accountability and City Care's values.
• Support new Safety Advocates as they learn the role and help reinforce consistent practices across the team.
• Ensure required training is completed and applied in practice, including CPR, de-escalation, Mental Health First Aid and other City Care training requirements.
• Bring recurring concerns, significant incidents and…