Guest Advocate

Friendship Shelter, Inc.; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Friendship Shelter, Inc. is seeking a Guest Advocate to provide compassionate, person-centered support to guests in the ASL program. The role focuses on safety, environment, and empowerment, building trusting relationships while guiding guests toward housing and self-sufficiency goals.

Responsibilities include data entry, referrals, crisis intervention, and daily documentation. The position emphasizes teamwork, Harm Reduction principles, and living skills development within a recovery-oriented

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced shelter.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing needs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safety and security in the shelter at all times.
• Provide administrative and facility support (data entry, filing, light cleaning).
• Assist guests with housing and employment searches and referrals, including on-site help.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent work

Multi-tasking

Conflict resolution

Crisis de-escalation

Job description

Description

Position Summary

The Guest Advocate provides compassionate, person-centered support to guests residing in Friendship Shelter's Alternative Sleeping Location (ASL) program, recognizing the inherent value of every individual and fostering an environment of empowerment, acceptance, and dignity. This position is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming shelter environment, utilizing effective conflict resolution and crisis de-escalation techniques while building respectful, trusting relationships with guests.

Working collaboratively with team members and community partners, the Guest Advocate supports guests in making progress toward their housing and self-sufficiency goals through day-to-day guidance, resource navigation, and consistent encouragement. This role demonstrates Friendship Shelter's values of responsibility, integrity, creativity, flexibility, and community by providing individualized support, communicating with honesty and kindness, and contributing to a collaborative, recovery-oriented environment.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security within the shelter at all times.
• Provide administrative and facility support, such as data entry, filing, shredding, re-stocking, light cleaning and laundry, organizing, etc.
• Conduct housing and employment searches for shelter guests, with personalized searches being done as needed. Provide supportive service assistance to all guests, such as assisting with needs (clothing, hygiene products, medication, etc.), making referrals, and providing onsite assistance in accomplishing income and housing goals (using the computer, making phone calls, etc.).
• Provide conflict resolution and crisis intervention as needed, always aiming to maintain a fair, positive, and supportive culture. Guest Advocates are expected to model positive methods of problem-solving, respectful communication, and self-restraint.
• Monitor and document guest compliance with shelter rules and guidelines and provide day-to-day accountability for all expectations by conducting room inspections, supervising the shelter and use of supplies, and meeting with guests individually to provide clarification, instruction, and assistance as needed to increase their independent living skills.
• Provide administrative support to the main office by answering the main phone and greeting visitors and volunteers, ensuring that they have a positive experience while visiting the shelter.
• Model personal behaviors that reflect the life skills we expect of our guests.
• Communicate pertinent program information through daily written logs.
• Participate in monthly staff meetings, and case conferencing as requested.
• Complete other tasks as requested by the program team.
• Provide daily trips to clients locally using the FSI vehicle.

Requirements

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow-through on tasks from beginning to end.
• A collaborative, positive, and mature approach, and an ethic of teamwork.
• Must be comfortable working in a Housing First and Harm Reduction setting.
• Knowledge of mental health and substance abuse preferred.
• Knowledge of local social service resources/providers preferred.
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports

- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports

Driving Requirements

• Driving is an essential duty or function of this job.
• Drive up to 25 %

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

• Excellent communication skills.
• Empathy, discipline, focus, and organizational ability.
• A collaborative, positive, and mature approach, an ethic of teamwork, and a commitment to the mission of helping people experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to work in a very fast-paced, high demand and often crisis centered area with the ability to multi-task and stay organized.
• Be committed to upholding the Friendship Shelter values of compassion and acceptance, creativity and flexibility, integrity, responsibility, and community.

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Shelter / Non-Sedentary Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work will be performed in shared spaces within the shelter environment and may involve interaction with shelter guests. Typical requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each workday doing the following activities: stand for extended periods of time, walk, bend, stoop, or climb. May require the ability to lift and/or push up to 25 pounds 33% - 66% of the time. Driving personal vehicle between sites during work hours may be required.

Additional Information Regarding Friendship Shelter Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

Any estimate, schedule, or guideline provided to associates in this job description or elsewhere in connection with their jobs is only intended to help describe job duties and for planning purposes. Regardless of any such estimate, schedule, or guideline, employees must always record all time worked for our company (which includes but is not limited to on-site work time at a shelter, office, or other work location; required waiting time; administrative time; and work-related travel time).