Part-Time Program Assistant, Shoreline Vet Center - Compass Housing Alliance

ABOUT THE POSITION: The Program Assistant observes, records, and responds as needed to the comings and goings of guests, staff, and residents, maintains a safe and comfortable environment for residents, and responds to resident issues as appropriate. Maintains security by following procedures and interacting with and monitoring activity in the lobby area. They serve as a member of the program services team; they support and work with the other team members to serve the community by providing trauma-informed assistance. This is a unionized position, represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:Compass Veterans Center: Shoreline (SVC) provides permanent supportive housing and case management for 21 male-identifying and 4 female-identifying individuals who are Veterans. Through a Trauma-Informed Care lens, we provide a safe and welcoming space for Veterans to create stability, hope, and community. Staff adopt a supportive, non-judgmental stance, providing residents with opportunities to make better decisions, set goals, and motivate residents along their pathway of change.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing housing instability in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. Compass offers an open, supportive, and challenging work environment committed to promoting the dignity and well-being of each person that we serve. We consider the diversity of the staff, guests, residents, and community partners to be an important asset. We recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization.  Compass is proud to be an affiliate agency of Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW). LCSNW partners with individuals, families and communities for health, justice and hope by providing support services in key areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, refugees, and support to aging adults and people with disabilities to live independent lives. To learn more about the agency visit www.compasshousingalliance.org.

LOCATION: Near Costco Wholesale (Shoreline, WA)

REPORTS TO: Program Coordinator/Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

SCHEDULE: Friday-Saturday 4pm-12am; with monthly staff meeting 3rd Thursday 4-5:30pm

SALARY RANGE: $21.22 per hour (Step 1*)
 *Step 2 increase of 2.5% after 12 consecutive months of employment

PART TIME BENEFITS INCLUDE: Unlimited Orca Transportation Pass, Paid Time Off (PTO) & Paid Holidays (prorated), Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time. The employee in this position must be able to read, write, and understand English.

Resident Support & Security

• Provide trauma-informed monitoring of activity in and around the building to ensure safety, security, and comfort of residents and staff.

• Mediate conflicts and provide de-escalation and crisis intervention; model appropriate problem solving and refer to appropriate services as needed.
• Assist in support of program activities. Including meal services, assisting residents with tasks such as laundry access and/or instruction, group activities or other similar activities assigned by managers.
• Respond to resident issues as appropriate or as directed by the Program Manager, Program Coordinator and/or Property Manager.
• Report resident and/or building needs to management and ensure supply/equipment is in stock for use.
• Provide light data entry support.
• Post flyers or other communications within the building as directed, making the common spaces a welcoming and program-focused area.
• Monitor security cameras, make periodic security rounds of the building, checking lights, doors, and windows, and investigate noise and other complaints.
• Log all actions, incidents, rule enforcements, and report unusual or sensitive matters to the Program Coordinator and/or Manager.
• Control after-hours front door/guest access and monitor guest log enforcing rules and restrictions.
• Follow building/staff safety and emergency procedures according to program and agency policies.
• Contact appropriate staff for assistance, as needed, as well as 911, police, fire department, and other service agencies, when appropriate.
• Perform light janitorial duties, as assigned.

Leadership

o   Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the work. All employees are expected to make efforts in their work and in their conduct to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level.

o   Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other agency employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate.

o   Project a favorable image of the organization to promote its aims and objectives and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all its areas of endeavor.

o   Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established agency policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

·       None.

KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS,
AND ABILITIES

·       Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and services for individuals who are experiencing housing instability.

·       Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.

·       Demonstrated ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.

·       Demonstrated knowledge of best practices of de-escalation, crisis intervention, stabilization, trauma informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing.

·       Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.

·       Work independently and as part of a team, particularly to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.

·       Relate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people, while valuing their differences.

·       Follow sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence.

·       Manage difficult interpersonal situations effectively and know when to seek out support from your manager when needed.

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions.

·       Strong problem-solving skills are required to be successful in this role.

·       Aptitude for learning new technology skills with Microsoft products and other internet-based software.

·       Ability to learn new functions on office equipment and devices (printer, scanner, projector, mailing machine, copier).

EDUCATION
AND/OR
EXPERIENCE

·       A minimum of 1-year experience in building security and/or customer service, desired.

·       A minimum of 1-year of experience in human services (work and/or volunteer), desired.

·       Awareness and/or training around issues of equity, intersectionality, and belonging, desired.

·       Current WA State Food Handlers Permit, desired (If not current, will be sponsored within 1-month of hire).

·                Familiarity with issues of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence. Experience working with clients with English as a second language or where there is limited English speaking ability, desired.

·       Work experience is a key factor for success in this role. In addition, success in this role requires a passion for knowledge and drive for continuing professional development or education. A degree in social work or related field would be a compliment to the required experience.

PHYSICAL
DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

o   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

o   The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger/ handle/feel/type, and reach with hands and arms. Requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds.

o   Work takes place in a housing environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required.

Mental efforts like attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement plans, create, and edit documents, listen, and participate verbally at meetings. 

In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department via phone at 206-474-1100 or via e-mail at HRInfo@compasshousingalliance.org.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is normal. Compass programs are housed within a human services environment in the Greater Seattle area. Our diverse tenant community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our client community includes the physically and mentally disabled, persons living with AIDS, those who struggle with chemical dependencies, veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at Compass will mean that you will be in close proximity to the people we serve.

This position is not eligible for remote work, it requires onsite work only.

Compass facilities are monitored with camera surveillance equipment for safety and security purposes. The cameras will generally be utilized only in public areas where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy. However, please be aware that in our housing facilities, some residents may choose to utilize their own private surveillance equipment within their units.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Compass Housing Alliance maintains practices and policies that eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity and strives to ensure that applicants and employees are treated without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, gender identity, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, political ideology, sensory, physical or mental disability, caste status, the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability and all other groups protected by law. Compass’s policies and practices are intended to promote diversity and equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment, such as: recruitment, selection, compensation, hours of work, work schedules, benefits, training, retention, promotions, demotions, transfers, advertising, layoff, and termination. All employees of the agency are required to comply with the provisions of these policies. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.