Bilingual Shelter Peer Advocate (Spanish/English)

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Shelter Program

COMPENSATION: $42,320 annually, plus benefits

STATUS: Full-time, non-exempt, union position 

SCHEDULE: 12am-8am, Monday-Friday

DEADLINE: Open until filled

 

You must submit both a resume AND a cover letter to apply for this position, otherwise your application will not be considered. 

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, Peer Service Advocates will provide crisis intervention and peer counseling to motivate residents to engage in services, reduce harm, and improve their physical, emotional, and economic health. Peer Service Advocates will staff program activities and assure the safety and comfort of residents in their care. They will be responsible for coordinating and tracking residents’ status through the citywide CHANGES system and will follow all procedures required by this system. There will be a high level of expectation placed on respectful, compassionate, culturally-competent, attentive treatment of residents as well as alertness as it pertains to safety issues in the shelter.  

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 Two years of peer counseling experience, particularly working with diverse constituencies or a BA degree and related experience.

 Previous personal experience with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, and/or substance use issues.

 Demonstrated ability to actively engage & assess people who are experiencing homelessness, active drug use, mental illness, and other barriers to stability and health utilizing the modalities of harm reduction and self-help. Ability to work compassionately with those who have difficulty engaging with service providers. 

 Ability and skill to become familiar with all participants who regularly visit the center and to motivate and engage them into services and activities as they are ready. Ability to develop effective relationships following the principles of harm reduction.

 Ability to effectively resolve conflicts among residents and to de-escalate potentially violent situations.

 Ability to work professionally and ethically in a team setting, including the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

 Excellent interpersonal communication, active listening, documentation and organization skills.

 Ability to attend staff meetings and trainings that are not during regular shift hours.

 Bilingual Spanish/English required. 

 

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1967, Hospitality House is a progressive, community-based organization located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin Neighborhood, Mid-Market Area, and Sixth Street Corridor that provides opportunities and resources for personal growth and self-determination to homeless people and neighborhood residents. Our mission is to build community strength by advocating policies and rendering services which foster self-sufficiency and cultural enrichment. We use a peer-based approach and encourage participation from our constituents on all levels of the organization. 

 

Hospitality House has six programs. The Tenderloin Self-Help Center and Sixth Street Self-Help Center are behavioral health-based community centers that provide a range of emergency and support services using a low-threshold, peer-based, self-help model. The Shelter Program is a small men’s dormitory that provides basic emergency shelter as well as one-on-one case management. The Community Arts Program is a unique space where individuals can create, house and sell artwork, offering open studio hours, workshops, a creative writing class, and an opportunity for artists to exhibit and sell their work. The Community Building Program includes a peer volunteer training program, program activities, and the Healing, Organizing & Leadership Development Program which is a peer internship community organizing program for participants impacted by trauma. The Employment Program offers job readiness services, employment and training resources, and job search support through two neighborhood-based employment resources centers. All programs work together to provide a range of support, resources, and opportunities for people to achieve stability and self-sufficiency.  

 

RESUME & COVER LETTER TO: 

Hospitality House/Peer Service Advocate Search (Shelter)

290 Turk Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 

or personnel@hospitalityhouse.org 

 

Please specify the position for which you are applying. Please NO PHONE CALLS or VISITS. 

 

Hospitality House is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition as defined under State law, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and/or local laws and ordinances.