Position Summary
The Participant Advocate (PA) is responsible for providing operational support and oversight at homeless shelter locations. This includes the Homeless Services Center (HSC), Safe Parking, Sonoma Home and Safe, or the Palms Inn site; during an assigned shift that may be day, swing, or graveyard. The Participant Advocate works with vulnerable populations in an environment that includes individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, behavioral health challenges, and trauma histories. The Participant Advocate provides daily living support and services in accordance with day-to-day, housing related, and individual service needs of participants. The Participant Advocate ensures that all interactions with participants are housing focused, trauma informed, and oriented toward individual/family resilience. The Participant Advocate is dedicated to harm reduction principles and strengths-based trauma-informed programming.
Essential Functions
Service Center & Shelter Operations
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Provide support in service center operations to achieve an environment of health, safety, respect, and dignity.
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Maintain an environment that ensures successful service provision and communal interaction.
- Perform cleaning and sanitation duties as required, occasional work with biohazards.
- Regular site/safety walks.
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Monitoring overall site and participant health and safety.
- Assisting clients with needs and providing guidance and direction when necessary.
- Assist with food and clothing distribution.
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Assist with opening and closing procedures when necessary.
Client Engagement and Demonstrated Advocacy
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Focus on a housing first approach with all clients/participants.
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Have compassion and empathy in client interactions.
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Serve clients with a trauma informed approach.
- Give dignity and respect without judgement.
- Maintain professional boundaries in a professional setting with clients/staff.
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Teach by demonstrating and modeling behaviors that support healthy living.
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Respond to participant requests, explain and facilitate program expectations, and share information and referrals as appropriate for obtaining housing.
- Learn and utilize harm reduction and motivational interviewing concepts and strategies.
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Assist with conflict resolution, encouraging positive methods of problem-solving, respectful communication and self-restraint; discern when to disengage and when to request for assistance from others.
Documentation and Date Entry
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Assist with screening and enrolling incoming participants, completing required forms.
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Routinely review participants’ case history, service plans, and file documentation to ensure an up-to-date understanding of participant needs.
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Maintain documentation and enter and track all necessary information for communicating with co-workers. Support facility through data quality and contract compliance.
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Participate in agency and countywide data tracking efforts including data entry into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and DataLink.
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Complete program intake and exit paperwork, accurately, timely, and with minimal errors, input information accurately and timely into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Resource Knowledge
1. Learn and maintain knowledge of agency and community partner resources.
2. Build relationships with staff of partner agencies to facilitate communication and referrals.
3. Attending staff meetings and in-service trainings.
Learning and Development
1. Complete certifications required for compliance.
2. Comply with required trainings determined by agency for completion.
3. Demonstrate desire for professional development.
Other Responsibilities
1. May assist in food preparation for client meals.
2. Work with Diocese of Santa Rosa and local parishes as appropriate and requested.
3. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Note: Catholic Charities considers this position to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and elder abuse.
Agency Culture
It is essential that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:
- A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
- A commitment to excellence in everything we do.
- A commitment to performance and quality improvement.
- A commitment to outcomes and measured results.
- A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.
Education, Experience, and Skills Required
1. High School diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE) required. One to two years’ successful work as personal caregiver or verified successful equal work experience preferred.
2. Must become certified in CPR and First Aid within six months of transfer to this position or hiring date.
3. Understanding of causes of homelessness, experience working within social services and familiarity with community resources. Knowledge of Housing First principles and methods preferred.
4. Have working knowledge of relevant community resources.
5. Computer literacy required including experience with Microsoft 365 Suite.
6. Strong written and verbal communication; organization, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills, cooperative, friendly, proactive, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers. Ability to work closely with clients and other employees to ensure a positive and constructive environment within the program or department and throughout the Agency.
8. Ability to work under pressure with a positive, solution-oriented approach.
9. Passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Catholic Charities and its clients.
10. Valid driver license and at least state required minimum of automobile insurance, clear DMV driving record and ability to provide own transportation. Must be willing and able to travel between agency sites.
11. Must pass DOJ background clearance (fingerprinting) in accordance with the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s policies prior to start of employment.
12. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred but not required.
Job Analysis/Job Description Physical Requirements
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 sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand, walk, travel, and stoop or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods while using a computer.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequent incoming telephone calls, scanners, and copiers as well as a wide range of clients or at times clients in distress contribute to a noise level of average to above average.
Equal opportunity employer
Catholic Charities of Northwest California is an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking the best and brightest. Our organization does not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance. We support, educate, create opportunities for, and ensure the wellbeing of our staff for the betterment of those most in need.
CCNWC participates in E-Verify, an Internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility.
