Agate Housing
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Agate is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We provide emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply (anyone who has not received services from Agate within the last two years is welcome to apply). We believe that housing is a basic human right.
Why Our Team Chooses Us Our team aspects and testimonials reflect a culture of mission-driven work and compassionate service.
Benefits of working with us include:
4.93 hours of PTO accrued each pay period if 64 hours are worked
11 Floating holidays per year (Prorated based on hire date)
Medica/Kavira insurance with zero-cost plan options
Employer-paid Dental and Life Insurance
Flex Spending and Health Savings Account
Free Employee Assistance Program
Retirement plan
Referral Bonus Program
Shelter Advocate — Title: Shelter Advocate; Reports To: Shelter Program Manager; Schedule: 32 hours/week, Evening shift 3:00p-11:00p, Thursday - Sunday; Union Representation by AFSCME Local 999; Job Classification: .8 FTE, Non-Exempt, Benefit Eligible; Compensation: $23.07/hour
Position Overview The Outreach and Shelter Department serves single adults through our emergency response programs, including Shelter, Street Outreach and the Welcome Center. The goal is to build rapport and connect individuals to stabilize their housing and achieve self-sufficiency. The Shelter Advocate is a team member at one of Agate's two housing-focused shelter program sites, located downtown Minneapolis and a second site in the Longfellow neighborhood opening in November 2025. The role supports safe operation of the shelter for guests and volunteers, including answering phones and intakes, monitoring behavior, light housekeeping, meal prep and service, administrative work, documentation, and data entry. Responsibilities also include providing core services, making referrals, assisting with paperwork or service navigation, attending staff meetings, updating rosters in HMIS, and representing Agate at community meetings and trainings.
The Shelter Advocate works with shelter staff to ensure a welcoming, safe environment and uses trauma-informed, client-centered approaches to support guests.
Position Responsibilities General Responsibilities & Safety
Ensure the shelter operates safely for all guests, staff, and volunteers.
Build and maintain professional rapport with guests.
Enforce shelter policy in a consistent, fair manner with a positive and respectful demeanor.
Answer and direct calls to the shelter and monitor entrances to allow guests to access the shelter.
Make regular rounds inside the shelter to ensure guest safety and maintain a calm atmosphere; call emergency services when appropriate and manage guest behavior.
Use de-escalation and crisis response skills; maintain professional boundaries.
Monitor and review security camera footage; document and report incidents accurately.
Work collaboratively with program staff, property management, and facilities teams to support site operations.
Operational Duties & Hospitality
Serve as the first point of contact for guests, staff, and visitors, offering a warm, professional, trauma-informed welcome.
Respond to voicemails, emails, and other communications promptly.
Assist with volunteer and donor check-ins in coordination with the External Relations Team.
Engage with volunteers to ensure a positive experience.
Ensure daily program routines, including meal service, occur on schedule.
Perform housekeeping and light maintenance; keep office and program spaces tidy.
Support food service, including meal delivery coordination and assisting volunteers who come onsite to provide meals.
Program Responsibilities
Respond to inquiries for assistance and make appropriate referrals.
Demonstrate professional boundaries with guests and colleagues.
Conduct shelter guest intakes.
Assist and encourage guests to make progress on self-identified goals using housing first/harm reduction.
Administrative Duties & Documentation
Facilitate collection and maintenance of required daily shelter documentation including intakes, bed assignments, data collection and input into online databases and logbooks.
Create and maintain guest files, case notes, and other supporting documentation following agency policies.
Troubleshoot technical issues with office equipment and phones; contact Admin as needed.
Participate in regular staff meetings and supervisory one-to-one meetings.
Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications Successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:
Commitment to Agate's values and mission to end homelessness.
Commitment to an anti-racist culture within Agate and the community.
Belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
Understanding that homelessness is often the result of policy decisions beyond the control of those served.
Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
Ability to work respectfully with diverse guests, coworkers, and stakeholders.
Ability to establish rapport quickly with people in crisis using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; proficient with technology and data entry.
In addition, applicants must:
Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
Have experience with Microsoft Office products.
Pass background check.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with Coordinated Entry systems.
Experience with HMIS.
Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals served (Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, Somali, Amharic).
Experience working in settings with all genders.
We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply; however, those who have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years are ineligible for employment.
Union Membership This position is represented by AFSCME Local 999. Union representation and provisions are described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. All employees in union-covered positions contribute through union dues or fair share fees as per the agreement.
How to apply Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under Apply Now and you will be directed to the full application where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you previously created an account, log in before applying for another position.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls, please.
Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
Updated June 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Agate is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We provide emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply (anyone who has not received services from Agate within the last two years is welcome to apply). We believe that housing is a basic human right.
Why Our Team Chooses Us Our team aspects and testimonials reflect a culture of mission-driven work and compassionate service.
Benefits of working with us include:
4.93 hours of PTO accrued each pay period if 64 hours are worked
11 Floating holidays per year (Prorated based on hire date)
Medica/Kavira insurance with zero-cost plan options
Employer-paid Dental and Life Insurance
Flex Spending and Health Savings Account
Free Employee Assistance Program
Retirement plan
Referral Bonus Program
Shelter Advocate — Title: Shelter Advocate; Reports To: Shelter Program Manager; Schedule: 32 hours/week, Evening shift 3:00p-11:00p, Thursday - Sunday; Union Representation by AFSCME Local 999; Job Classification: .8 FTE, Non-Exempt, Benefit Eligible; Compensation: $23.07/hour
Position Overview The Outreach and Shelter Department serves single adults through our emergency response programs, including Shelter, Street Outreach and the Welcome Center. The goal is to build rapport and connect individuals to stabilize their housing and achieve self-sufficiency. The Shelter Advocate is a team member at one of Agate's two housing-focused shelter program sites, located downtown Minneapolis and a second site in the Longfellow neighborhood opening in November 2025. The role supports safe operation of the shelter for guests and volunteers, including answering phones and intakes, monitoring behavior, light housekeeping, meal prep and service, administrative work, documentation, and data entry. Responsibilities also include providing core services, making referrals, assisting with paperwork or service navigation, attending staff meetings, updating rosters in HMIS, and representing Agate at community meetings and trainings.
The Shelter Advocate works with shelter staff to ensure a welcoming, safe environment and uses trauma-informed, client-centered approaches to support guests.
Position Responsibilities General Responsibilities & Safety
Ensure the shelter operates safely for all guests, staff, and volunteers.
Build and maintain professional rapport with guests.
Enforce shelter policy in a consistent, fair manner with a positive and respectful demeanor.
Answer and direct calls to the shelter and monitor entrances to allow guests to access the shelter.
Make regular rounds inside the shelter to ensure guest safety and maintain a calm atmosphere; call emergency services when appropriate and manage guest behavior.
Use de-escalation and crisis response skills; maintain professional boundaries.
Monitor and review security camera footage; document and report incidents accurately.
Work collaboratively with program staff, property management, and facilities teams to support site operations.
Operational Duties & Hospitality
Serve as the first point of contact for guests, staff, and visitors, offering a warm, professional, trauma-informed welcome.
Respond to voicemails, emails, and other communications promptly.
Assist with volunteer and donor check-ins in coordination with the External Relations Team.
Engage with volunteers to ensure a positive experience.
Ensure daily program routines, including meal service, occur on schedule.
Perform housekeeping and light maintenance; keep office and program spaces tidy.
Support food service, including meal delivery coordination and assisting volunteers who come onsite to provide meals.
Program Responsibilities
Respond to inquiries for assistance and make appropriate referrals.
Demonstrate professional boundaries with guests and colleagues.
Conduct shelter guest intakes.
Assist and encourage guests to make progress on self-identified goals using housing first/harm reduction.
Administrative Duties & Documentation
Facilitate collection and maintenance of required daily shelter documentation including intakes, bed assignments, data collection and input into online databases and logbooks.
Create and maintain guest files, case notes, and other supporting documentation following agency policies.
Troubleshoot technical issues with office equipment and phones; contact Admin as needed.
Participate in regular staff meetings and supervisory one-to-one meetings.
Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications Successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:
Commitment to Agate's values and mission to end homelessness.
Commitment to an anti-racist culture within Agate and the community.
Belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
Understanding that homelessness is often the result of policy decisions beyond the control of those served.
Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
Ability to work respectfully with diverse guests, coworkers, and stakeholders.
Ability to establish rapport quickly with people in crisis using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; proficient with technology and data entry.
In addition, applicants must:
Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
Have experience with Microsoft Office products.
Pass background check.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with Coordinated Entry systems.
Experience with HMIS.
Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals served (Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, Somali, Amharic).
Experience working in settings with all genders.
We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply; however, those who have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years are ineligible for employment.
Union Membership This position is represented by AFSCME Local 999. Union representation and provisions are described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. All employees in union-covered positions contribute through union dues or fair share fees as per the agreement.
How to apply Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under Apply Now and you will be directed to the full application where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you previously created an account, log in before applying for another position.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls, please.
Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
Updated June 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr