Shelter Advocate - 3rd Shift

Description


Job Title: Advocate- Shelter

Department: Community Based Services

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time

Bargaining Unit Position: (Y/N): No

Level: 2

Hiring Range: $19.50 - $22.29

NEKCA Mission Statement:

To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

SUMMARY:

Advocates at NEKCA build strong relationships with our community and participants to set goals and see positive outcomes for families and individuals. Advocates utilize a strengths-based approach to support individual and household well-being while collaborating with agency and community partners to support service delivery in a human-centered way.

This position is an Advocate for the NEK Shelter Program in the Community Based Services Department which supports participants in accessing safe and dignified emergency housing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Perform intake per requirements of NEKCA/grantor. Determine and verify eligibility for all applicants in accordance with program guidelines

Collect and report all data accurately and timely into GoEngage to meet program deadlines

Assess participants in crisis to determine immediate needs and develop plan for response, including referrals (interagency and external)

Work collaboratively with community partners to address needs of low-income households

Understand and follow all program guidance and policies

Attend and participate in staff, agency and community meetings deemed necessary for job performance.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES:

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

N/A, this position does not supervise any staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for supporting guests at the Shelter.

Must utilize conflict resolution skills to create a welcoming and safe environment for Shelter guests.

Must support in maintaining shelter cleanliness, meal supervision, and daily routines of Shelter guests.

Engage guests in social and skill building activities.

Enter and maintain data into the HMIS database in an accurate and timely manner.


Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

BA (preferred)

1-2 years of relevant experience preferred

Core Competencies:

Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain good relations with participants, other staff, and members of the community.

Must have knowledge of basic computer skills and record keeping, including spreadsheet applications.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database management systems.

This position is considered a mandated rep orter.

Must be responsible, self-motivated, self-initiated, may need to work fleixble hours (program dependent)

Demonstrate positive problem-solving skills in stressful situations.

Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Demonstrate familiarity with, and sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals, and some knowledge of the community and available resources to address them.

Maintain confidentiality.

Complete all required trainings and professional development.

Core Values:

Complete all required trainings and professional development.

Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCA's Core Values

Demonstrate and support a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Empower individuals to recognize and utilize their potential for growth and positive change

Promote social justice and equity in the community.

Build and maintain strong relationships with the local community.

Involve community members in the organization's initiatives and decision-making processes.

Value diversity and respecting the cultural backgrounds of participants

Ensure that services are inclusive and culturally sensitive.

Uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants and the community.

Participate in self-reflection and self-care practices to prevent burnout.

Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional codes of conduct.

Maintain participant confidentiality and ensureing participant safety.

Use clear, respectful, and professional language and behavior when communicating with participants, colleagues, and other service providers.

Demonstrate a genuine understanding of and care for the needs and feelings of participants or service users.

In person attendance required during scheduled hours as defined by your supervisor.

Be sensitive to participant's unique situations and challenges.

Represent NEKCA in public and advocating for its mission.

Background Checks:

Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, criminal background and driving records.

Transportation Requirements:

This position requires that employees have access to dependable transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Position has occasionally bending, stooping, or reaching for items. Standing or moving around the office area.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions of their job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...