Participant Advocate (Miss Barbara's House)

SELF; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 15,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

SELF is seeking a Part-Time Participant Advocate in Philadelphia, PA, to provide supportive assistance to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. Applicants should have experience in human services, preferably in a residential setting dealing with challenges such as homelessness and substance abuse.

The successful candidate must be able to supervise participants, comply with privacy standards, and perform general facility maintenance and record-keeping.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent with training in human services.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, bend and lift supplies between 25–50 lbs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Supervise participants in conduct and personal hygiene.
• Ensure compliance with facility rules and regulations.
• Monitor and record participant activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Flexibility

Computer proficiency

Detail-oriented

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft applications

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Philadelphia, PA 19140

SHIFT: 3p - 11p

STATUS: Part Time

REPORTS TO: Program Director

Position Summary: The Participant Advocate provides our participants with supportive assistance to maintain a safe, welcoming and clean environment. Past Participant Advocate experience is strongly desired. Two years’ experience working in human services, preferably in a residential facility with individuals who may have challenges in the following areas: homeless, substance abuse and mental health or an acceptable combination of equivalent skills and experience.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for the supervision of the participants in the following areas: conduct, personal hygiene, chores and compliance with the facility Rules and Regulations.
• Responsible for facility checks before assuming responsibility and noting deficiencies during the shift.
• Responsible for complying with the privacy standards as it relates to the collection, maintenance and use of participant protected personal information.
• Responsible for providing a brief orientation to the participants on site.
• Responsible for monitoring participant activities including but not limited to body search with metal detector upon entrance to the facility, searches of participants sleeping quarters and storage locker/bags, and containers.
• Responsible for keeping an accurate participant census.
• Responsible for the completion of quality written shift, incident, and weekly reports as well as intakes, MISIL’s, medication logs and other pertinent paperwork in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the supervision of participant evening sign‑in log (the OSH MISIL form).
• Responsible for the supervision of dispensing participant’s prescribed medications.
• Responsible for the collection and distribution of clean bed linen, towels, clothes when necessary, and toiletries as dictated by need and availability.
• Responsible for monitoring program participants.
• Responsible for checking and securing fire doors and escape exits, tour building and secure every 30‑60 minutes during shift and document as required.
• Responsible for maintaining order and cleanliness inside and outside the facility.
• Responsible to beware of and convey participant communications to Assistant Program Director or Program Manager so that preventive measures can be taken to maintain the health, safety and security of the participants, staff and facility.
• Responsible for sharing observations and recommendations regarding the facility, participants and staff relations to identify and solve problems and to ensure staff functions as a unified team.
• Responsible of informing Assistant Program Director or Program Director of any unusual incidents and complete appropriate documentation.
• Responsible to perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent with a combination of acceptable training and experience in human services including but not limited to homelessness, substance abuse and mental health.
• Must be able to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend and lift supplies that weigh between 25‑50 lbs.
• Must be able visually observe, hear, understand, and interpret participant behavior.
• Must be able to provide constructive feedback to shift leader or designee in order to improve services within the facility.
• Must be competent in computer use including Microsoft applications and internet.
• Criminal background and clearance will be required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Must participate in all mandatory team meetings, department meetings and training as required.
• Must have some flexibility with emergency requests, changes in work schedule or assignment.
• Must be well organized, detail‑oriented, tasks‑driven and able to work independently and set daily priorities by maintaining a weekly as well as a monthly schedule.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills and willingness to assist whenever needed.

SELF is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and/or disability status.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the Participant Advocate. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has the sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.