ABOUT THE POSITION: The Counselor is responsible for milieu management while engaging guests/residents in a direct social service housing program. Time is divided among direct service, operations, and administrative responsibilities to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the program. Duties include engagement, intake, assessment, advocacy, information and referral, problem solving and crisis intervention, in addition to meal preparation, laundry, and light janitorial assignments.This is a unionized position, represented by Local 8 of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU).

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Otto’s Place Enhanced Shelter removes barriers for individuals transitioning out of homelessness by combining overnight shelter with 24/7 on-site support services and intensive case management, behavioral clinician, including housing navigation. In addition to services, we offer 100 individual sleeping areas for male-identifying guests, meals, laundry, and service pets. This combination of shelter and services enables us to meet people where they are and build a supportive community to help people currently living in tents or encampments to move toward stability. Referrals are directed from the City of Seattle’s The Hope Team.

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: Pioneer Square Neighborhood (Seattle, WA)

SCHEDULE: Friday-Monday 4pm-12am; with biweekly staff meetings on Thursdays 1-2pm

Essential Duties & 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.

Social Services

o   Register and engage guests/residents to assess needs providing immediate and appropriate information and referral.

o   Engage guests/residents in ongoing supportive relationship by displaying the qualities of warmth, empathy, and a person-centered approach.

o   Provide trauma-informed monitoring of activity in and around the facility to ensure safety, security, and comfort of guests/residents and staff.

o   Provide meal, laundry, cleaning services in accordance with schedule and assignments.

o   Mediate conflicts and provide de-escalation and crisis intervention.

o   Model appropriate problem solving and refer to appropriate clinical services as needed.

o   Maintain necessary logs, records, and statistics with clear and accurate case notes of all significant interaction in client files.

o   Monitor security cameras, make periodic security rounds of the building, checking lights, doors, and windows, and investigate noise and other complaints.

o   Control after-hours front door/guest access enforcing rules and restrictions.

o   Follow safety and emergency procedures according to program and agency policies.

o   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.

Knowledge, Skills & 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.
• Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and crisis situations.
• Demonstrated ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner.
• Strong problem solving, time and project management skills are required to be successful in this role.
• 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.
• Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences.
• 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.
• 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 of experience in customer service, required.
• At least 1 year of experience in a social/human service setting, 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 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/social services or related field would be a complement 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 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.

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.

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.