Program Advocate, Single Adult Shelter

South Middlesex Opportunity Council; Maryland; On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance + AD&D

Medical & Dental & Vision

401(k) with Match

Voluntary Benefits

FSAs & Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

South Middlesex Opportunity Council in Maryland seeks a Program Advocate to oversee shelter operations during shifts, ensuring safety and client support. The role requires crisis responsiveness and strict confidentiality.

You will work directly with the Program Director, maintain logs, participate in training, and engage clients with dignity while meeting funder requirements and SMOC policies. A strong benefits package is included.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years sobriety.
• CPR and First Aid certified.
• Sensitive to needs of low income communities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to respond in crisis situations.
• Knowledge of substance abuse and mental illness preferred.
• Basic computer skills to maintain training as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Be alert to shelter surroundings and respond to issues during shift.
• Maintain safety of clients and staff during shift.
• Check with other staff and read log for prior shift info.
• Maintain logs and files for each shift.
• Report problems to Program Director via log and emergencies to supervisor.
• Attend regular staff meetings and trainings.
• Treat guests with dignity and maintain confidentiality.
• Ensure rounds are done every 15 minutes.
• Engage clients by addressing needs within or outside scope.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and communicate with clients and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information.
• Ensure compliance with program, agency and funder requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Sobriety

CPR/First Aid

Interpersonal skills

Crisis response

Substance abuse knowledge

Computer skills

Job description

Summary: Oversee shelter operations during working hours while maintaining a safe and secure environment.

Why Work for SMOC?

• Paid Time Off: All full-time employees can accrue up to 3 weeks of vacation, and 2 weeks of sick time and are eligible for 12 paid holidays during their first year of employment.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance & AD&D and Long-Term Disability for full-time employees.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical Plans through Mass General Brigham with an HRA Employer cost-sharing program, Dental Plans with Orthodontic Coverage, and EyeMed Vision Insurance available to full-time employees.
  403(B) Retirement Plan with a company match starting on day one for all full-time and part-time employees.
• Additional voluntary benefits including; Term and Whole Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital indemnity, and Short-Term Disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement and more.

Primary Responsibilities

• Be alert to shelter surroundings and be responsive to any issues that occur during each shift.
• Maintain the safety of clients and staff during each shift.
• Check with other staff and read log for information pertinent to previous shift.
• Maintain appropriate logs and files for each shift.
• Report problems and rule infraction to Program Director through written log. Report emergencies immediately to appropriate supervisor.
• Attend regular staff meetings and participate in appropriate training.
• Treat each guest with dignity and respect, maintain guest confidentiality and establish appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Ensure rounds are done every 15 minutes.
• Engage all clients by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend & participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with clients and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of client, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Minimum 2 years sobriety.
• CPR and First Aid Certified.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of low income.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to respond in crisis situations.
• Knowledge of substance abuse and mental illness preferred.
• Basic computer skills to maintain training as assigned.

Organizational Relationship: Directly reports to Program Director.

Physical Requirement: Ability to lift 50lbs or more. Ability to ascend and descend stairs.

Working Conditions: As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Program Advocate will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.