ABOUT THE POSITION: The job of a Relief Staff is to fill in for regularly scheduled employees who are sick or on vacation leave. They are responsible for providing direct services and engagement to individuals experiencing homelessness in supportive programs (day services, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing). Relief Staff work as substitutes in various locations in Puget Sound area with varying scheduling needs (days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays).

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: Various sites including Auburn, Renton, Seattle, and Shoreline. May work at multiple programs.

REPORTS TO: Shift Supervisor, Program Coordinator, and/or Program Manager

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

HOURS: LESS than 29-hours per week on average

SCHEDULE: No regular or guaranteed work schedule

SHIFT: Options of overnight, evening and day shifts 7 days a week 

SALARY: $20.21 per hour + additional $1.75 per overnight hour

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. The employee in this position must be able to read, write, and understand English.

Direct Social Services

• Engage participants to assess needs and provide information and referrals to appropriate services.
• Provide trauma-informed monitoring of the building to ensure safety, security and emergency protocol, comfort of participants and staff.
• Provide meals, laundry, hygiene, and cleaning services in accordance with schedule and assignments.
• Mediate conflicts and provide de-escalation and crisis intervention; model appropriate problem solving and refer to appropriate clinical services as needed.
• Greet participants in a kind and respectful manner when they require support.
• Assist with mail sorting and distribution to those using Compass as their mailing address.
• Contact appropriate staff for assistance as needed and 911, police, fire department, and other service agencies when appropriate.
• Maintain building logs and records.
• Perform light janitorial and/or maintenance duties as appropriate.

Leadership 

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

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for participants from diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in de-escalation, crisis intervention and stabilization skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local resources and services for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• Manage difficult interpersonal situations effectively and know when to seek out support from your manager when needed.
• Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.
• Ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and crisis situations.
• Follow sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence. 
• Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.
• Relate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people, while valuing their differences. 
• Strong problem solving and time management skills. 
• Work independently and as part of a team, particularly to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions.
• Aptitude for learning new technology skills with Microsoft products and other internet-based software.

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.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. 
• 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. 
• Work takes place in a housing/shelter/social services 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 business 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 client/guest/resident community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our community includes individuals who are physically and/or 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. 

Employees can reasonably be anticipated to come in contact with hazardous chemicals, blood borne pathogens (BBP), and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) which require following basic safety precautions. Regular training will be provided by Compass that covers all elements of the occupational exposures, such as BBP, OPIM, and hazardous chemicals, expected to be found in the work environment.  

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.

 EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 1 years’ experience in customer service, required.
• At least 1 years’ experience in human services (work and/or volunteer), desired.
• Awareness and/or training around issues of equity, intersectionality, and belonging. 
• Current WA State Food Handlers Permit, desired (If not current, will be sponsored within 1-month of hire). 
• Familiarity with topics of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence. Experience working in an environment where language may be a barrier, 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 human services, social work or related field would be a complement to the required experience.