Mary's Place
Family & Shelter Advocate (Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, Full-time, 36 Hours, downtown Seatt
Mary's Place, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Family & Shelter Advocate
Mary's Place is seeking a responsible and energetic Family & Shelter Advocate to support families experiencing homelessness at our 24‑hour shelter locations.
Key Responsibilities
Lead
Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA)
check–ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter.
Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services.
Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high‑quality shelter services.
Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries.
Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma‑informed crisis management, conflict de‑escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team‑based, solution‑oriented approach to the work; and high‑quality service delivery.
Shelter Operations & Procedures
Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment—disinfect high‑touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling; etc.
Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation.
Move around the facility and maintain an active and engaging presence around shelter.
Record and report any building/facility concerns.
Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings.
Implementation of Guest Enrichment Programming
Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our guests.
Provide feedback to Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness of programming and ideas for improvement.
Welcome and help orient volunteers to the space and their roles; actively engage volunteers in shelter activities.
Data Entry and Information Management
Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, and accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation.
Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality.
Maintain up‑to‑date community resources as provided by other program teams, and make them easily accessible to guests.
Requirements
Prior experience as a Shelter Advocate is strongly preferred.
Two or more years of work or volunteer experience in a social services setting, or one or more years of social services experience combined with one or more years of customer service experience.
Experience working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is highly preferred.
Passion for and demonstrated experience working with children and families is preferred.
Demonstrated creative problem solving, conflict de‑escalation, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills.
Demonstrated understanding of trauma‑informed care.
Ability to set appropriate boundaries and maintain professional demeanor in a high‑stress environment.
Highly motivated, self‑starter, resourceful, flexible, and possesses a positive attitude.
Exhibits compassion and empathy; works well with parents and children from all racial, ethnic, social, economic, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
Ability to access and produce information on a computer and within Microsoft Suite, and to create documentation in the database system in an accurate and timely way.
Strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening (communication) skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Sensitivity to the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness, low‑income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse, or other barriers to employment and housing.
Able to proficiently speak, read, write, and understand English.
Willingness to take a TB test within 30 days of hire.
Benefits
Medical and dental insurance with 100% company coverage for core employee rates and competitive family rates.
Basic Life Insurance of $50,000 at no cost to employee; option to purchase additional coverage.
403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% employee contribution.
Unlimited use ORCA pass for a small deduction per pay period.
9 days Paid Time Off (PTO) each calendar year (accrued by pay period).
9 days of sick time each calendar year (accrued by pay period).
Employee Assistance Program.
Schedule
Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tuesday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm (36 hours).
Location Mary's Place – Downtown Seattle (The Glen).
Compensation $25.00/hour DOE.
Equal Opportunity Employer Mary's Place is an equal opportunity employer. People of color are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Key Responsibilities
Lead
Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA)
check–ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter.
Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services.
Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high‑quality shelter services.
Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries.
Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma‑informed crisis management, conflict de‑escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team‑based, solution‑oriented approach to the work; and high‑quality service delivery.
Shelter Operations & Procedures
Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment—disinfect high‑touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling; etc.
Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation.
Move around the facility and maintain an active and engaging presence around shelter.
Record and report any building/facility concerns.
Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings.
Implementation of Guest Enrichment Programming
Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our guests.
Provide feedback to Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness of programming and ideas for improvement.
Welcome and help orient volunteers to the space and their roles; actively engage volunteers in shelter activities.
Data Entry and Information Management
Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, and accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation.
Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality.
Maintain up‑to‑date community resources as provided by other program teams, and make them easily accessible to guests.
Requirements
Prior experience as a Shelter Advocate is strongly preferred.
Two or more years of work or volunteer experience in a social services setting, or one or more years of social services experience combined with one or more years of customer service experience.
Experience working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is highly preferred.
Passion for and demonstrated experience working with children and families is preferred.
Demonstrated creative problem solving, conflict de‑escalation, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills.
Demonstrated understanding of trauma‑informed care.
Ability to set appropriate boundaries and maintain professional demeanor in a high‑stress environment.
Highly motivated, self‑starter, resourceful, flexible, and possesses a positive attitude.
Exhibits compassion and empathy; works well with parents and children from all racial, ethnic, social, economic, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.
Ability to access and produce information on a computer and within Microsoft Suite, and to create documentation in the database system in an accurate and timely way.
Strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening (communication) skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Sensitivity to the needs of clients who are experiencing homelessness, low‑income, limited English speaking, or impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse, or other barriers to employment and housing.
Able to proficiently speak, read, write, and understand English.
Willingness to take a TB test within 30 days of hire.
Benefits
Medical and dental insurance with 100% company coverage for core employee rates and competitive family rates.
Basic Life Insurance of $50,000 at no cost to employee; option to purchase additional coverage.
403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% employee contribution.
Unlimited use ORCA pass for a small deduction per pay period.
9 days Paid Time Off (PTO) each calendar year (accrued by pay period).
9 days of sick time each calendar year (accrued by pay period).
Employee Assistance Program.
Schedule
Saturday/Sunday/Monday/Tuesday, 7:00 am – 4:30 pm (36 hours).
Location Mary's Place – Downtown Seattle (The Glen).
Compensation $25.00/hour DOE.
Equal Opportunity Employer Mary's Place is an equal opportunity employer. People of color are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr