Description:
The Bridge Home
Employment Opportunity
Position Title: Shelter Staff – 1st Shift
Schedule: 04:00pm – 12:30am : Monday – Sunday, All Shifts, Weekends and Holidays
Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Office Location: 225 S. Kellogg Avenue, Ames, IA. 50010
Salary: $17.00 - $22.00 per hour | Pay Level: II
Reports to: Program Manager
Travel Requirements: Travel within the community as needed
Organization Overview: The Bridge Home provides a continuum of housing programs to people experiencing homelessness. More than just a place of protection, it is also a source of hope and support, helping to prevent people from becoming or remaining homeless. Our programming is client-driven and provided in a trauma-informed manner by staff trained in mental health first aid, de-escalation, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing.
Located in Ames, Iowa, The Bridge Home has been helping people since 1985 and serves the Two Rivers Region, five counties in central Iowa — Story, Marshall, Boone, Greene, and Hardin.
Position Overview:
The Shelter Staff postion provides direct support to individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring their immediate safety, well-being, and access to resources. This role involves a combination of crisis intervention, case management, and administrative tasks within a shelter environment.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
- Empower guests and provide support and crisis intervention through trauma-informed care.
- Communicate necessary guest information to staff to keep them informed.
- Follow and enforce Shelter Guidelines, Policies, and Procedures with Shelter Guests.
- Support and assist guests with their shelter needs as they arise (ex. questions, concerns, hygiene, supplies, cleaning supplies, bedding, food and more).
- Maintain safety and security of shelter property, and report concerns to Program Manager.
- Maintain the cleanliness of shelter through performing housekeeping tasks (ex. sweeping, mopping, disinfecting, bathroom maintenance).
- Complete “chore” checklist.
- Complete Shelter dorm checks with Program Manager as requested.
- Complete Shelter Inventory and organizational/shelter upkeep duties as assigned.
- Perform basic maintenance as needed (ex. changing light bulbs, plunging toilets) and report any major maintenance issues to Shelter Manager.
- Accurately complete intakes and exits as needed and fully completes required paperwork/documentation.
- Accurately complete intakes and exits as needed and fully completes required paperwork.
- Document in shift notes at least once per shift and complete proper documentation; including but not limited to call logs, task list checks off lists and incident reports
- Complete shadowing tasks as assigned when new team members join the support staff team.
- Attend regularly scheduled monthly meetings and trainings.
- Maintain positive, supportive and respectful guest relations.
- Support our focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - this includes non-judgment of the ways that people may be different than you. Refrain from using slurs or other derogatory terms, gossiping or coming to conclusions based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, primary language, religion, physical or mental ability or other ways that people that we serve or employ may be different than you.
- Consistently cover assigned shifts, working within the team and independently to complete all shift tasks.
- Perform general phone and other functions such as noting within the communication log, answering the phone, and responding to in-person inquiries in a professional manner.
- Monitor the activities of clients to ensure the safety of clients, volunteers and staff.
- Promotes all self-sufficiency programs with all new clients. Explains nature of TBH programs, procedures and services.
- Help volunteers with questions or issues when necessary.
- Attend staff meetings and participate in activities designated by the leadership team.
- Ensure confidentiality in accordance with established procedures and regulations.
- Cross-train with other departments to provide additional support as needed.
- Street Outreach duties as assigned.
- All other duties as assigned
Requirements:
Qualifications:
- As a prerequisite, the successful candidate must believe in the core values of The Bridge Home and be driven by the mission of the organization.
- Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills
- Advance computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Organized and detail-oriented
- Strong ability to execute work with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with the clients
- Ability to react with appropriate levels of urgency to situations and events that require quick response or turnaround.
- Ability to assess emergency situations and respond effectively
- Able to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information.
- Excellent judgment is essential.
- Must have the ability to obtain Service Point license.
- Strong attention to details, and the ability to manage multiple projects, establish workload priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Working knowledge of Harm Reduction and Housing First philosophy
- Ability to successfully pass a background check
- Possession of a valid Iowa Driver’s license.
- Communication and Interpersonal skills: develop and maintain effective relationships with others; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Education and Experience:
- Minimum High School Diploma of GED required; Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services preferred.
- 2 years experience or more years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness and mental illness/substance abuse.
- Experience working with one or more of the following: individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health related issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS related issues, and with those living in poverty.
- Experience working with clients with multiple barriers to employment/housing.
- Proven success in meeting and exceeding performance goals.
- Experience working in a team environment
- HMIS certified (Ability to obtain HMIS certification within 3 months of hire date.)
Physical requirements and work environment:
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Ability to work well within a cross-functional team environment and diverse communities.
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While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, feel, talk and hear.
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The employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk.
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Work will be performed either in an office environment or in the field.
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Must be willing to travel as needed to perform job requirements.
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Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
