Crisis Housing Shelter Advocate - Part-Time, 2nd Shift

Pillars Inc; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Employee Assistance Plan

Job summary

Pillars Inc is seeking a part-time Crisis Housing Advocate to support shelter operations in Appleton, WI. The role focuses on client intake, safety, and resource coordination in the Adult Shelter or Resource Center, with an emphasis on empathy and community partnership.

Responsibilities include walk-ins, HMIS data entry, and collaboration with staff and partners to ensure a comprehensive continuum of care. The position requires strong communication, discretion, and a commitment to Pillars values.

Qualifications

• Experience with homelessness and barriers; understanding client needs.
• Experience with survivors of domestic violence.
• Experience with mental health/addiction challenges.
• Knowledge of community resources for low income or homeless individuals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact for clients, volunteers and visitors.
• Manage client intake including interviews, documentation, eligibility, tours, house rules and program education.
• Enter client data into HMIS and update records as needed.
• Conduct client exit processes and document no-shows or outcomes.
• Assist clients with daily activities and distribute medications; provide resources for self-sufficiency.
• Collaborate with staff and partners to support continuum of care and client independence.

Skills

Accountability

Building Relationships

Decision Making

Conflict Management

Confidentiality

Communication Skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Adult Shelter - Appleton, WI 54914
Salary Range: $17.00 - $18.00 Hourly
Job Shift: Evening

The Pillars Adult Shelter is looking for additional part-time staff members (2-3 shifts per week) to work Second Shift (4pm - 11:30pm) various days of the week, including rotating weekends.

Summary

From homelessness to coming home, Pillars provides shelter, support, and solutions to address the housing needs in our community. Pillars team members have a passion for the mission of the agency and displays agency values: Respect, Collaboration, Empowerment and Grit.

Position Overview

The Crisis Housing Advocate may work in any of the Crisis Housing sites - the Adult & Family Shelter, the Adult Shelter or the Resource Center. Crisis Housing Advocates are responsible for maintaining the safety of the building and serve as the first point of contact for clients and volunteers, including walk-ins and phone calls.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Client Support & Intake/Exit Process

• Serves as the point of contact for clients, volunteers, and other building visitors.
• Complete the client intake process including interviewing potential clients, completing intake documentation, assessing eligibility for wait list, conducting tours, reviewing expectations and house rules, and educating potential clients on Pillars programs and processes.
• Enter each client into HMIS and update files as necessary.
• Complete the client exit process for both voluntary and involuntary departures, including conducting exit interviews with departing clients and researching no-shows.
• Maintain accurate electronic log sheets for all individuals served, including documenting significant events.

Daily Activities & Client Assistance

• Assist clients in successfully completing daily activities, including distributing medications, and focus on providing resources and education to encourage self-sufficiency.
• Collaborate with staff and community partner agencies to provide a comprehensive continuum of care and promoting client independence.

Staff & Volunteer Teams

• Support the onboarding and training of new team members.
• Support the onboarding and training of new volunteer team members. Work with Volunteer Manager to create a positive volunteer experience.

Building & Facility Maintenance

• Maintain the security of the building and clients by following safety procedures and educating clients on building policies and rules.
• As needed, check clients' personal bags and living areas to promote a safe and secure environment and call law enforcement when safety is jeopardized.
• Ensure the building meets organizational standards for cleanliness and safety, updating the chore list daily and ensuring clients complete assigned chores on time.

Donation & Food

• Receive, organize, and store donations.
• Prepare and serve meals as necessary, assisting with food and supply inventory.

Administrative & Office Tasks

• Handle office paperwork tasks, including:
• Searching CCAP for new warrants or criminal charges for clients.
• Collecting photo releases when client photos are taken in the shelter or during shelter events.
• Creating client name tags for bunk assignments.
• Preparing and printing sign-in books for client entry.
• Prioritizing and assigning parking spaces for clients.

Policy & Compliance

• Follow established intake and exit procedures, including guidelines for background checks and addressing rule violations. Document all related actions according to agency policy.
• Attend staff and committee meetings as requested.
• Collaborate with other agencies as necessary.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Accountability - Takes initiative with minimal supervision, follows procedures, and demonstrates accountability and adaptability while ensuring accuracy, thoroughness, and consistent self-monitoring to maintain high-quality work.
• Building Relationships - Demonstrates exceptional relationship-building ability with volunteers, clients and consumers, tenants, agency partners, donors and potential donors, board and committee members.
• Decision - Making - Displays sound judgment when making decisions, at times with limited information; follows organizational policies and procedures; aware of implications of state and federal regulations; ability to make complex decisions in line with agency’s mission, vision and values.
• Conflict Management - Reacts and responds to complaints and solves problems. Helps consumers and staff come to agreement and de-escalates charged situations. Reacts quickly to assess the conflict and determine appropriate steps to resolve. Remains calm and professional during high stress situations.
• Confidentiality - Ability to maintain confidential information and safeguard the security of information of Pillars and our clients. Keep private information from unauthorized individuals, either within Pillars or others outside the organization.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience preferred, such as:
• A strong understanding of barriers specific to persons experiencing homelessness
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence
• Experience working with people facing mental health struggles and/or challenges with addictions
• Knowledge of community resources available to individuals and families who are low income and/or experiencing homelessness

This position is expected to work inclusively and respectfully with a diverse community and practice civility in the workplace. In addition, this position requires strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills, demonstrated integrity, and the willingness to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. This position requires knowledge of Microsoft office suite and related technologies.

Compliance Accountabilities

The Crisis Housing Advocate must act in accordance with Pillars' policies and procedures, complete all required compliance training/continuing education within specified timeframe, and maintain a thorough knowledge of all internal operating procedures, as well as applicable laws and regulations.

Work Environment

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

The compensation for this position is an hourly wage of $17.83. Benefits include a retirement plan and an Employee Assistance Plan.

Equal Opportunity

Pillars is an affirmative Action Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse workforce and to maintaining a community which welcomes and values a climate supporting equal opportunity and difference among its members. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, physical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.