Support Specialist - Annenberg Access Center (Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5pm)

The People Concern; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

403(b) Retirement plan & Matching

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Days

Paid Sick Days

EAP programs

Job summary

The People Concern seeks a Support Specialist for the Shwashlock program in Santa Monica. You will serve as the first point of contact for Shower, laundry and locker services, ensuring confidentiality and smooth program flow.

You will welcome clients, provide service information, manage sign-ins, and support daily data entry and reporting. This full-time, onsite position requires a strong foundation in harm reduction and trauma‑informed care, ability to multitask, and effective teamwork within

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED or equivalent.
• Demonstrates effective customer service and professional conduct.
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention.
• Familiarity with Harm Reduction and Trauma‑Informed Care.
• Valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Willing to drive program agency van.
• Able to multitask and stay organized.
• Knowledge of homelessness, mental health, and related issues.
• Ability to work in a high tolerance Harm Reduction model.
• Experience in a team setting and with data entry.

Responsibilities

• Greet and welcome clients; explain program components.
• Provide information on SHWASHLOCK services and hours.
• Sign up participants daily for showers, laundry, lockers; maintain confidentiality.
• Assist with printing sign-in sheets and recording daily stats.
• Maintain cleanliness of SHWASHLOCK showers, bathrooms and laundry areas.
• Distribute towels, toiletries, clothing, and restock hygiene items.
• Monitor locker intake/discharge and keep area orderly.
• Document incidents and repair needs; report to supervisor.
• Engage clients in case management, build trust, and screen requests.
• Support staff to maintain smooth daily operations and team collaboration.

Skills

Customer service

Non-violent crisis intervention

Harm Reduction

Trauma-Informed Care

Driver's license

Able to drive agency van

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Knowledge of homelessness & related JS

Teamwork

Computer literacy

Education

High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent

Job description

Role: Support Specialist

Reports to: Director - Access & Engagement

Program: 1404-SWASHLOCK

Department: Access Services

Location: Annenberg Access Center - 503 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Setting: 100% Onsite

Schedule: Monday - Friday. 8:30am-5:00pm

Status: Full-time/Non-Exempt/Non-Management

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.

Openings: 1

Summary:

Using evidence-based practices such as harm reduction, housing first, and trauma-informed care, the Shwashlock Support Specialist will act as the first point of contact for immediate client needs for all Shower, laundry and locker services. The Shwashlock Support Specialist ensures that the program flow of services is implemented and follows the program protocol and procedures for services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure clients understand the program components and welcome clients.
• Provide accurate information regarding Access Center & SHWASHLOCK services and service hours.
• Sign up participants daily for showers, laundry and lockers ensuring information is confidential.
• Assist with printing sign-in sheets for showers, lockers and laundry services.
• Provide daily sign-up sheets to the Sr. Support specialist- Shwashlock or Supervisor for the proper recording of the daily stats. On occasion assist with data entry of the Shwashlock stats.
• Keep SHWASHLOCK showers, bathrooms and laundry area clean during hours of operation; empty trash as needed.
• Ensure all towels are washed, dried and folded neatly on the towel rack in a timely matter.
• Assist with locker intakes, discharges and clearing locker as needed.
• Keep locker area orderly and ensure clients keep lockers clean and free from prohibited items.
• Responsible for distribution of towels, toiletries, essential items and clothing if needed; assist with restocking hygiene items.
• Report all incidents and any repair needs to the supervisor.
• Engage clients into the case management process by effectively building trust and credibility; screening requests and directing clients appropriately.
• Assist staff in maintaining order and a smooth flow of services throughout the day.
• Develop rapport with collaborators and volunteers.
• Monitor and oversee client bathrooms, showers, and laundry services area to ensure compliance with program policies and procedures.
• Assist in maintaining the Shwashlock office; ensuring a clean, organized and clutter-free workspace.
• Provide crisis intervention using Trauma Informed Care and non-violent crisis intervention techniques.
• Communicate with the supervisor daily to report issues, concerns, suggestions and successes.
• Assist with administrative or data entry tasks as needed by the Director.
• Assist with daily operation of facility as needed, including general cleaning duties.
• Document all Program related issues, concerns appropriately and in a timely matter.
• Attend all staff meetings, team meetings, training and retreats as scheduled.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent
• Demonstrates effective customer service skills by being able to handle difficult situations and act professionally regardless of circumstances
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention
• Familiarity with Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care Practices
• Current, valid California Driver's License with an acceptable driving record
• Comfortable, able and willing to drive program agency van
• Able to self-motivate and to appropriately organize and motivate others
• Able to multitask: handling multiple tasks and high volume client requests.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues faced by population served (homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, medical issues, domestic violence, etc.)
• Able to work in a high tolerance Harm Reduction model with members who have multiple barriers
• Experience working in a community-based setting and as part of a team
• Computer literate; able to use computerized database system for information management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a fast-paced environment assisting with the unhoused population

Work Environment:

• Combination of field and office environment
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• On occasion walk or drive to different local sites
• Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments
• Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
• May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS OF ALL STAFF

1. Act as a role model
2. Demonstrate a sense of responsibility
3. Continuously learn and improve
4. Acknowledge your own areas of improvement
5. Hear and provide honest, specific and direct feedback
6. Create an environment where everyone is welcomed valued and respected
7. Collaborate

Equal Opportunity Employer

The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job basedon job-related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or other applicable laws.

About the People Concern

The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. One of Los Angeles County's largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. Informed by more than fifty‑eight years of work in the community, The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.

With compassion and profound respect for those we serve, we provide a fully integrated system of care - including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing - tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.

The People Concern's model of integrated and comprehensive care empowers our participants to navigate the multi-faceted obstacles in their lives, become their best selves, and ultimately, connect with and contribute to their communities.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Retirement Planning (403b) & Matching
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
• TELUS Health
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life / Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Corporate Discounts: Discounts on Hotels, Theme Parks, Concerts, Movies, Restaurants & More
• The People Concern University & Certificates