Non Congregate Shelter Associates (Full-time)

St. Francis Center (SFC), an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, was established in 1983. SFC is a refuge for homeless people in the metro Denver area. Our programs and services are tailored toward adults and focus on daytime shelter, social services, health and wellness, housing, employment, outreach and a new program to provide non-congregate shelter operations. In SFC’s services, the people we serve can work with a variety of specialists, depending on their individual needs, to establish the first step toward transformation, new beginnings and stability.  

Department: Housing and Supportive Services 

Exemption Status: Full-time, non-exempt position 

Location of work: This program is located at a privately owned hotel, the Stone Creek, a 174-unit hotel being leased, and services funded by the City of Denver’s Office of Supportive Housing.  

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The NCS Shelter Associate reports to the Site Lead and Assistant Director and works in collaboration with all shelter staff to ensure the Non-congregate Shelter site provides a safe, stable, healing, and supportive environment for residents, staff, volunteers and the broader community. This includes responsibility for promoting the safety and stability of shelter guests, supporting the achievement of programmatic outcomes, and collaborating effectively with our operations partner(s), and other entities to ensure a safe and dignified living environment.   

A shelter associate serves as a very important component of a shelter team by providing the eyes and ears for management on the project and with the guests. A Shelter Associate will be present and moving throughout the building to monitor safety concerns and to promote positive social interactions with guests. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Operations and business focused skills: 

• Under direction of the NCS Site Lead and Assistant Director, and in collaboration with other shelter staff, helps implements a program framework that support contractual outcomes and that align with SFC’s mission, values and strategic plan. 
• Ensures that all maintenance requests are reported to and addressed by the maintenance team in a timely manner 
• Ensures completion of all required documentation and data entry, in a timely manner.   
• Routinely reviews all Security or shift change reports and logs, identifies and addresses issues as requested 
• Uses technology for communication, including Microsoft Office products (Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, Excel, Word and any other required program (i.e. staff shift scheduling programs) 
• Responds to e-mails, voicemail and other forms of communication in a timely manner 

Resident Support 

• Support NCS Guests in participating in social services, community activities, social events, etc. 
• Performs frequent, regular and unscheduled site walks in coordination with other staff  
• Monitors daily activities using the Daily Activity Log. This includes issues, incidents, and other notable occurrences 
• Works to create a low-barrier shelter environment for guests   
• Is a problem-solving resource or a needed source of community information and referrals for guests. 
• Provides transportation for critical appointments or assists the guest with strategies to achieve transportation. 
• Provides a consistent and welcoming approach to guests that builds relationships that are supportive and hold people accountable in an equitable manner. 
• Assist case management and wellness staff with activities or assistance related to programming classes or activities. 

People skills and Coordination with Partners: 

• Works collaboratively with others and is solution-focused in one’s daily approach, actions, and manner. 
• Develops relationships with program participants that are marked with dignity and respect that foster hope and empowerment  
• Provides critical support and resources to guests who may be experiencing a crisis caused by mental health difficulties, the impact of drugs and/or alcohol, or trauma and contacts appropriate emergency response as necessary  
• Demonstrates respect, cultural competence and knowledge of trauma informed care in interactions with shelter guests, staff and collaborative partners 
• Helps to coordinate and provide onsite access to case management support for shelter guests 
• Supports volunteers in working at the site by providing information and training for the work.  

Other duties as assigned by supervisor. This is a new and dynamic project and may require changes and adaptations to this scope of work.  

EDUCATION (MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS) 

• Coursework toward an associate or bachelor's degree in social work, Social Services, or equivalent credentials in a related field preferred. Other coursework may be substituted if relevant (i.e hospitality services).  
• Two years of related prior work experience may be substituted for formal education.  
• Lived experience may be considered in lieu of education or work experience. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE 

• Ability to meet a timeline 
• Ability to communicate with written correspondence and verbal interaction  
• Conflict Mediation/Resolution Skills or willingness to learn 
• High Emotional Intelligence 

• Ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds and experience 
• Trauma Informed approach or willingness to learn this approach 
• Creativity and flexibility 
• Resilience and a ‘thick skinned’ approach to work 
• Intrinsic motivation to achieve goals 
• Anti-racist, anti-oppression lens 

BENEFITS   

Hourly Rate $21-$25 depending on shift.

• Employer-paid health insurance with an HRA plan
• Employer-paid dental insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance 
• Robust pension plan (5% plus a dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 4%)
• Generous Employer-paid sick/vacation leave

Saint Francis Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.