Support Specialist - Kensington Campus (Saturday - Wednesday, 3pm - 11:30pm)

The People Concern; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

403(b) Retirement plan

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation Days

Paid Sick Days

EAP

Telehealth / Wellness resources

Tuition / Training opportunities

Job summary

The People Concern is hiring a Support Specialist for the Interim Housing program at the Kensington Campus in Lancaster, CA. This 100% onsite role supports clients with daily needs, coordinates crisis response, and maintains a safe environment.

The role emphasizes customer service, critical thinking, and teamwork, with trauma-informed care and HIPAA compliance. Schedule: Saturday–Wednesday, 3pm–11:30pm; status: Full-time non-management.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent.
• Minimum one year experience in related work.
• Effective customer service skills and ability to handle difficult situations.
• Ability to work independently and think critically.
• Act in a professional manner regardless of circumstances.
• Commitment to empowering communities with dignity.
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention and with issues faced by the population served.
• Ability to self-motivate and to organize and motivate others.
• Computer literacy and ability to use a computerized database system for information management.
• Ability to work as part of a team and obtain/maintain required certifications (Food Handlers, CPR, First Aid).

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for immediate client needs and requests.
• Monitor and oversee the floor, ensuring program guidelines are upheld and the site is maintained and safe.
• Be visible on the floor and actively engage and welcome clients.
• Conduct regular, thorough walk-throughs of the facility.
• Create a supportive environment to help client progress toward stability.
• Develop effective, trusting relationships with clients using motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care.
• Intervene during crises to de-escalate situations with safety in mind.
• Work as part of a team to provide integrated care to individuals experiencing homelessness and related challenges.
• Maintain client confidentiality per agency, state, and HIPAA laws.

Skills

Customer service

Critical thinking

Professional demeanor

Independence

Teamwork

Communication skills

Empathy

Crisis de-escalation

Cultural competency

Privacy and HIPAA awareness

Education

High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent

Tools

HMIS

Database management

Computer literate

Job description

Role: Support Specialist

Reports to: Program Manager

Program: 3001 - Lancaster Interim Housing

Department: Interim Housing

Location: Kensington Campus - 45244 32nd St West, Lancaster, CA 93536

Setting: 100% Onsite

Schedule: Saturday - Wednesday, 3pm - 11:30pm

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:

Welcome to The People Concern! We are glad that you have an interest in joining our team!

What you should know about us!

Here at The People Concern, we pride ourselves on:

• Being courageous leaders, taking action where others sit back!
• Caring for others, where we treat every person in an empathetic and respectful way!
• Upholding our integrity, because we are trustworthy, always doing what is right even when no one else is looking!
• Working as an effective team, where we are always collaborating and supporting each other while pursuing excellence in our work!

Within our shelters, specifically, you should know that what sets us apart is:

• We create restorative living environments, where clients can thrive while preparing for permanent housing.
• We prioritize Diversity, Equity & Inclusion among our clients and seek to always create a safe space through cultural competency and humility.
• We seek not to recreate punitive systems of control or "power over," but rather share "power with" the clients, who are the experts in their own lives.
• We believe deeply in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and the housing first model and expect our teams to always uphold these principles.

What we expect and value in our people:

• Initiative: You like to work and be active your whole shift. You find things to keep you busy that benefit the clients and the program at all times. You make suggestions and pick up tasks to help the community.
• Critical thinking/problem solving: You should be able to encounter a problem, gather information, and formulate a solution. You will be supported by your team, but your thoughts will be valued!
• Tenacity: Simply put, you get the job done. You don't let barriers stop you and you problem solve to find solutions.
• Respect towards others: You are constantly evaluating and assessing yourself for bias and contributing to a Diversity & Inclusion work space.
• Empathy: You see the clients as people. You don't demand respect or infantilize them. You are here to be a part of seeing them on their journeys to living their best lives.

We love where we work and we are honored to do it. If this sounds like something you want in on and can contribute to, please review the formal qualifications and duties below:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as the first point-of-contact for all immediate client needs and requests such as phone use, linens, water, etc.
• Monitor and oversee the floor including communal areas, patios, bathrooms, dorms and showers, ensuring program guidelines are upheld and that the physical site is well-maintained and safe, including general cleaning duties
• Be visible on the floor at all times and actively engage and welcome clients
• Conduct regular, thorough walk-throughs of the facility
• Create a supportive environment to ensure client progress towards stability
• Attend relevant staff meetings, trainings and retreats as scheduled
• Oversee client cubicle/bed area maintenance in a trauma-informed manner
• Facilitate a client engagement activities, such as groups or other activities
• Complete incident reports, update shift logs, and document in HMIS, as needed and email relevant documents/updates before the end of each shift
• Develop effective, trusting relationships with clients and use a client-centered approach that includes motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care
• Intervene during crises to actively de-escalate situations, with client and staff safety in mind, using non-violent communications skills
• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive, integrated care to individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, and substance addiction
• Communicate effectively, and in a timely manner, with management, peers, and clients
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times, while following agency, state, and HIPAA laws
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent
• Minimum one (1) year experience in related work
• Possess effective customer service skills and the ability to handle difficult situations
• Ability to work independently and think critically
• Ability to act in a professional manner regardless of circumstances
• Commitment to improving the community through empowerment and dignity
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention
• Familiarity with issues faced by population served
• Ability to self-motivate and to appropriately organize and motivate others
• Computer literate; able to use computerized database system for information management
• Ability to work as a team member
• Able to obtain and maintain Food Handlers, CPR and First Aid certification
• Demonstrate an ability to take initiative towards continued professional development

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate in a language other than English strongly preferred but not required

Work Environment:

• Combination of field and office environment.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 10 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.
• Ability to work with Persons Experiencing Homelessness (PEH)

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