Shift Supervisor - FT - M-F - 8-4

Position Title: Shift Supervisor

Reports to: Operations Manager

Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt, Essential

Location: Washington, DC

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM. Some overtime, holidays and weekends may be required to support operations and to respond to emergencies

Who we are: Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization, serving the Washington, DC region. We empower individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs that have positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We are committed to living out our core values both within our organization and the community.

Summary: The position provides support to participants in bridge housing who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. The bridge housing model seeks to stabilize participants and coordinate with external providers to house participants within 90 days. The Valley Place approach embraces a Housing First model and philosophy. The Residential Advocate works to empower participants to rebuild their lives, relying on their own strengths, and using wraparound resources in a holistic, participant-driven process.  

The lead advocate Is a senior level position within the advocate team. This person will have knowledge and skills related to the position that can be used to help teach, assist, and guide other advocates as they do their job. The lead advocate position will not be the direct supervisor of the other advocates but rather will work in conjunction with the Assistant Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for initial training of new staff
• Collaboration with operations manager to ensure adequate coverage 24/7 by RA staff
• Provide supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illnesses, addictions, medical concerns, etc.
• Deliver face-to-face contact to participants, and work in conjunction with case managers and external providers
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to participants’ needs and requests fostering wellness and independence
• Engage participants and assess individual needs, preferences, and strengths
• Monitors the residents, units, and grounds of Valley Place at all times to ensure the security and safety of each resident
• Provides appropriate oversight of the participants at the bridge housing site and enforces program policies
• Provides de-escalation services to the participants as needed and to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff and residents, in conjunction with other staff and on-site security.
• Assists in the planning and organization of site-based programming and recreational activities and events for individuals at Valley Place.
• Reports unusual incidents to the appropriate parties and writes unusual incident reports.
• Reports observations to case management staff to support the participants in progressing towards goals.
• Performs weekly and as necessary inspections of units.
• Distributes food during meal services and discards waste.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings and regular supervision
• Complete progress notes and all mandatory paperwork within required timeframes (48 hours for case notes, 24 hours for unusual incidents)
• Maintain participant’s electronic records in the Housing the Homeless database
• Attend professional trainings and conferences as needed
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Education/Experience:

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent
• 2 years of experience working in a residential or shelter setting
• Must have supervisory experience
• Experience working with families and/or youth and knowledge of child development and child welfare is preferred
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. May be called into action to perform life-saving measures. First Aid/CPR/AED training will be provided by Friendship Place.

Qualifications:

• General knowledge of working in a homeless shelter or residential facility preferred
• Provides excellent customer service and demonstrates reliability
• The ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrate empathy when responding to participants needs and requests
• Use practices including trauma informed care, verbal judo and other de-escalation and conflict resolution techniques
• Ability to remain calm, collected, and professional under stress
• Punctuality and ability to work independently
• Experience with computer programs, including but not limited to excel spreadsheets, emailing, etc. 
• Must have good oral and written communication skills
• Strong commitment to mission, organizational core values including racial equity and social justice

Working conditions: The office is located in an apartment building and exposed to conditions that arise in homes, including occasionally biohazards (e.g., blood, tissue, human waste) and conflict. Employees must be able to sit for extended periods with repetitive motions and positions. The employee must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25 lbs.)

Physical and Environmental Requirements: The role requires a balance of office-based tasks and fieldwork, including travel throughout the service area to meet with households, as well as participating in meetings and engagements with key stakeholders. This role involves working closely with individuals who may be experiencing mental health or substance use challenges. At times, the work may involve exposure to emotionally sensitive or challenging situations. Employee must be compassionate, self-aware, and able to maintain healthy boundaries while supporting others in a respectful and trauma-informed way.

Background checks: This position is considered Safety Sensitive according to DHS. The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check and/or fingerprinting, including FBI, and Metropolitan Police Clearance, CFSA, NSO, Employment and Education Verification, personal and professional references, TB test, a UDS, and clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles.  

Direct reports: Residential Aides (6)

Specific Requirements: Must have a valid government-issued ID and reliable transportation

Other Details:

Application Deadline: This job is open until filled, or the hiring manager determines that they can no longer accept applications.

Compensation: The hourly pay range is between $19.01 - $22.14 per hour. The starting pay is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials, and work experience.

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave during 1st year of employment, and much more!

Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement Friend Place is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact human resources at [email protected]

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting: https://friendshipplace.org/who-we-are/careers/