Position: Navigator-Guest Support
Company: Interfaith Works
Hours: 30 -35 hours per week
Shift: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Olympia, Washington
Pay: $23.50 per hour + $0.50 per hour upon verification of CPSS Certificate
Pay Days: Twice a month on 5th & 20th
Benefits Provided
Holidays – IW has 10 recognized holidays
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance - Free for employees working 25 hours and above (Begins on the 1st day of the month following 60-day probation)
PTO (paid time off) – 9 hours for every 80 hours worked
Training and Career Development Program
Access to free mental health counseling
Position Summary:
The Navigation Team serves a wide range of functions, including advocacy, case management, and peer counseling, to increase social inclusion and retention in social services. We serve single adults with the highest needs who struggle to navigate institutional resources. The Navigation Team is dedicated to providing a bridge to more traditional services as an act of social justice and as a platform for strengthening community agency.
Position Description:
-
Meet with participants at Unity Commons Shelter and help them determine their goals.
-
Assist in obtaining and coordinating services related to daily living activities, personal financial planning, transportation, habitation and rehabilitation services, and behavioral and mental health services.
-
Assist participants in obtaining income support services, including housing assistance, food stamps, supplemental security, disability income benefits, and veterans' benefits.
-
Advocate for participants when facing stigma and/or discrimination in situations related, but not limited to:
-
hospitalization, primary care provider services, substance use treatment, safer substance use practices, housing opportunities, senior citizen resources/services, social work and the legal system. Provide ongoing emotional support to help maintain stabilization through changes.
Essential Job Duties:
The Navigation Team serves a wide range of functions, including advocacy, case management, and peer counseling, to increase social inclusion and retention in social services. We serve single adults with the highest needs who struggle to navigate institutional resources. The Navigation Team is dedicated to providing a bridge to more traditional services as an act of social justice and as a platform for strengthening community agency.
Support participants in completing tasks related to their stated goals.
Document progress related to participant-set goals.
Must have a valid driver's license with proof of insurance in order to transport guests as needed to appointments using possibly their own vehicle and/or company-owned van.
Job Requirements
Ability to follow through with job commitment.
Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge, skills, willingness, and self-awareness to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multicultural situations. This includes addressing and interrupting oppression in all forms on an ongoing basis.
Experience in direct service and community organizing is desirable; personal experience and understanding of the homeless population may be substituted.
Ability to work effectively with participants displaying a varying range of social behaviors.
Ability to regularly communicate along clearly understood lines of authority.
Availability to work on-call and flexible hours depending on emergent circumstances.
Must already have or be able to obtain a Certified Peer Support Specialist certification. Must be able to complete initial training within 6 months of hire.
Ability to work effectively with participants who display a varying range of social behaviours.
Must have the ability to perform administrative duties as assigned.
Ability to resolve conflicts in a respectful and culturally humble manner.
Must be able to construct and maintain professional boundaries as well as consistently implement such boundaries.
Must be a good communicator, be a good listener, and maintain kindness within often unpredictable dynamics.
Must have the ability to meet participants "where they are at" without judgement or prejudice.
Flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness are necessary skills for this position.
Have the ability to arrive on time each day.
Required Skills and Abilities:
-
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties listed above.
-
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.
-
Preferred CPSS certification
Language Skills:
Ability to read and interpret documents.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to all levels of the organization.
Reasoning Ability:
-
Have the ability to follow through with job commitment.
-
Competency and familiarity with Google Suite and can navigate CaseWorthy case management software.
-
Have the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
-
Demonstrate the necessary attitudes, knowledge, skills, willingness, and self-awareness to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in a multicultural environment with a variety of situations. In particular, addressing and interrupting oppression in all forms on an ongoing basis.
-
Experience in direct service and community organizing is desirable; personal experience and understanding of the homeless population may be substituted.
-
Ability to work effectively with participants displaying a varying range of social behaviors.
-
Must already have or be able to obtain a Certified Peer Counselor certification six months from hire.
-
Ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse populations.
-
Must comply with all HIPAA requirements and can maintain total confidentiality regarding referral-disclosed information about a referral that may be shared with you in confidence, especially regarding protected health information.
-
Must maintain positive and respectful relationships with our community partners and other community resources.
-
Must be a good communicator, both written and verbal, a good listener, and maintain kindness within often unpredictable dynamics.
-
Must maintain positive and respectful relationships with our community partners and other community resources.
-
Have the ability to meet our participants "where they are at" without judgment or prejudice.
-
Have flexibility, creativity, and the resourcefulness to think outside the box.
-
All applicants must have the ability to pass a required background check through the Washington State Patrol, in addition to being fingerprinted for the purposes of serving vulnerable adults.
Other:
-
Must already have or be able to obtain a Certified Peer Counselor certification within six months of hire.
-
Ability to work extended hours when required.
Demonstrated dependability, maturity, and initiative. Ability to handle crises and accomplish tasks assigned with minimal supervision. Excellent interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain program/guest/agency confidentiality, and treat each individual with dignity and respect. Ability to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries, especially with respect to shelter guests. Ability to relate positively to supervisor, fellow employees, and all shelter guests. Flexibility to deal effectively with a variety of people, situations, problems, and changes in an ever-changing and occasionally stressful environment.
Ability to balance program expenses and have relevant awareness of budget expenditures.
Be responsive, strengths-based, aware of personal biases, and uphold professional boundaries. Support and aid in the growth and development of a tenant's sense of belonging, self-worth, independence, and confidence in reaching goals.
Support and uphold the mission, vision, and philosophical foundation of all IW HS programs.
Availability to work weekends and willingness to offer coverage for other members of the team.
Education and Experience:
No educational requirement.
Experience in direct service and community organizing is desirable; personal experience and understanding of the homeless population may be substituted.
Must successfully pass required background checks before an offer of employment.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Physical Demands:
The job frequently requires standing, walking, using hands, reaching, climbing, and stooping consistently. Occasional tasks may include kneeling, crouching and/or crawling. On occasion, may work indoors and outdoors in a variety of climates that have varying temperatures.
Hand-Eye Coordination:
Tasks require precision and dexterity, such as cleaning or operating equipment that requires good hand-eye coordination frequently.
Communication:
Must have the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to all levels of the organization, including vendors and contractors.
Specialized Skills:
May be required to climb ladders, work at heights, or in closed spaces, which may require specific safety training.
Working Conditions:
This position is on-site and supports all facilities/locations within the organization, including the following: Administration, IW’s Supportive Shelter at Unity Commons, Sergios Service Center, and Sandy’s Flats.
How to Apply:
For information on Interfaith Works, visit our website at iwshelter.org
