Support Specialist, Relief- Samoshel (Saturday - Sunday, 8am - 4:30pm)

The People Concern; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

The People Concern is hiring a Part-time Support Specialist - Relief for our Interim Housing program in Santa Monica. This onsite role supports clients, maintains a safe environment, and coordinates with staff to promote stability and progress toward permanent housing.

Responsibilities include floor visibility, client engagement, incident reporting, and HMIS documentation. Candidates should have at least a year of related experience and a commitment to trauma-informed, non-judgmental care.

Qualifications

• High school or GED required.
• At least 1 year of related work experience.
• Strong customer service skills for difficult situations.
• Ability to work independently and think critically.
• Professional conduct under all circumstances.
• Familiarity with non-violent crisis intervention.
• Computer literacy and HMIS data entry.

Responsibilities

• Be visible on the floor and greet clients.
• Conduct regular facility walk-throughs.
• Support client progress toward stability.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as scheduled.
• Oversee client cubicle/bed area maintenance.
• Facilitate client engagement activities.
• Document in HMIS and file updates after shifts.
• Build client-centered relationships using motivational interviewing and harm reduction.
• De-escalate crises with safety in mind.
• Collaborate with team to provide integrated care.
• Communicate with management, peers, and clients promptly.
• Maintain client confidentiality per laws.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service

Critical thinking

Professional conduct

Independence

Teamwork

HMIS data entry

Non-violent crisis intervention

Education

High school/GED

Tools

HMIS

Job description

Role:

Support Specialist - Relief

Reports to:

Program Manager

Program:

1004- Samoshel

Department:

Interim Housing

Location:

Samoshel - 505 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Setting:

100% Onsite

Schedule:

Saturday - Sunday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Status:

Part-time/Non-Exempt/Non-Management

Openings:

1

Summary:

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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/GED degree
• 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

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate in a language other than English strongly preferred but not required
• Demonstrate an ability to take initiative towards continued professional development High school diploma or GED strongly preferred.

Work Environment:

• Team-based environment that focuses on the betterment of program improvement and client care.
• Combination of field and office environment
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds
• 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