Relief Staff

ABOUT THE POSITION: The job of a Relief Staff is to fill in for regularly scheduled employees who are sick or on vacation leave. They are responsible for providing direct services and engagement to individuals experiencing homelessness in supportive programs (day services, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing). Relief Staff work as substitutes in various locations in Puget Sound area with varying scheduling needs (days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays). 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services, shelter, and affordable housing so that everyone in our community has a safe place to call home. 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 recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization. All employees are expected to make efforts in their work and in their conduct to be welcoming to all. 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: Various sites including Auburn, Renton, Seattle, and Shoreline. May work at multiple programs. 

REPORTS TO: Shift Supervisor, Program Coordinator, and/or Program Manager 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt 

HOURS: Less than 29-hours per week on average 

SCHEDULE: No regular or guaranteed work schedule 

SHIFT: Options of overnight, evening, and/or day shifts, 7 days a week  

MEAL STATUS: May be paid or unpaid (30 mins) depending on the location 

SALARY: $23.69 per hour + additional $1.75 per overnight hour 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

Direct Services 

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

Mediate conflicts and provide de-escalation and crisis intervention; model appropriate problem solving and refer to appropriate services as needed.  

Assist in support of program activities. Including meal services, assisting guests/residents/participants with tasks such as laundry access and/or instruction, group activities, or other similar activities.  

Engage guests/residents/participants to assess needs providing immediate and appropriate information and referrals.  

Respond to guests/residents/participants issues as appropriate or as directed by program management and/or property management. 

Report guest/resident/participant and/or building needs to management and ensure supply/equipment is in stock for use.  

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

Log all actions, incidents, rule enforcements, and report unusual or sensitive matters to the Program Coordinator and/or Manager. 

Control after-hours front door/access and monitor guest/resident/participant log enforcing rules and restrictions.  

Follow building/staff safety and emergency procedures according to program and agency policies. o Perform light janitorial duties, as assigned. 

Leadership  

Recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization.  

Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other agency employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate. 

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.  

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,  
AND ABILITIES 

Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, tactfulness, and respect for participants from different backgrounds. 

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. 

Manage difficult interpersonal situations effectively and know when to seek out support from your manager when needed. 

Ability to follow agency policy and procedures to maintain safety and security within the facility. 

Ability to set and maintain boundaries in a professional manner. 

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions and crisis situations. 

Follow sound interpersonal boundaries and emotional intelligence.  

Promote a team environment that values, encourages, and supports differences. 

Relate openly and comfortably with people from all backgrounds while valuing different points of views.  

Strong problem solving and time management skills.  

Work independently and as part of a team, particularly to exercise sound decision making in the absence of supervision, with strong collaboration skills. 

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.  

EDUCATION  
AND/OR EXPERIENCE 

Familiarity with topics of housing instability, mental health, substance use, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, required.  

At least 1-year experience in a social/human service setting, preferred. 

Awareness and/or training around belonging, compassion, and meeting people where they are, preferred. 

Fluent ability to read, write, and understand the English language, preferred. 

Experience working in an environment where language may be a barrier, preferred.  

Current WA State Food Handlers Permit, preferred (If not current, will be sponsored within 1-month of hire). 

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 related field would be a complement to the required experience.  

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 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.  

Employees can reasonably be anticipated to come in contact with hazardous chemicals, bloodborne pathogens (BBP), and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) which require following basic safety precautions. Regular training will be provided by Compass that covers all elements of the occupational exposures, such as BBP, OPIM, and hazardous chemicals, expected to be found in the work environment. 

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. However, please be aware that in our housing facilities, some residents may choose to utilize their own private surveillance equipment within their units. 

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 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.