Truckee Navigation Center - Full-Time, Community Care Associate

Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada, Inc.; Truckee (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America Northern California & Northern Nevada, Inc. in Truckee operates a 24-hour shelter at the Truckee Navigation Center, offering essential services and housing support.

As a Community Care Associate, you are the front-line ambassador who helps stabilize participants, maintains a safe environment, and coordinates daily routines with care and trauma-informed practices. You will work 6:00am–2:30pm Tuesday–Saturday, perform intake interactions, support meals, housekeeping, and

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate and comprehend oral and written instructions.
• Experience in homelessness services or social services is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated compassion, empathy, and professional boundaries in crisis situations.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily program maintenance and ensure safety.
• Maintain daily reports and shift logs.
• Assist in staff training and development.
• Coordinate meals, room assignments, and daily routines.
• De-escalate crises using trauma-informed approaches.
• Collaborate with Whole Person Care Coordinators and leadership.
• Uphold program policies and security; provide emergency assistance as needed.

Skills

Teamwork skills

De-escalation

Communication skills

Computer skills

Compassionate assistance

Organizational skills

Job description

Overview

WHO WE ARE: We are more than a nonprofit organization. We are a ministry of service that includes nearly 600 paid professional employees dedicated to helping those we serve. We provide compassionate care today for flourishing communities tomorrow. Founded locally in 1911, VOA Northern California & Northern Nevada is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, delivering a broad range of community-based services that transform lives while meeting immediate needs of families, individuals, veterans, seniors, and youth. In fact, VOA-NCNN provides shelter or housing to over 3,500 men, women, and children every night.

OUR MISSION: VOA puts faith into action by providing compassionate human services to empower individuals and strengthen communities. VOA aspires to create a world in which every person lives a life of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, filled with hope across Northern California & Northern Nevada.

PROGRAM AND LOCATION: VOA-NCNN, a Certified Great Place to Work, is recruiting for a full-time, Community Care Associate at the Truckee Navigation Center. The Truckee Navigation Center provides year-round, 24-hour shelter and essential services to help participants stabilize and secure permanent housing. The 16-bed shelter provides program participants with daily meals, shower and laundry facilities as well as mail services. In addition participants will have access to case management, housing navigation and other on-site partner services such as health care providers, benefits counselors, and employment services. Full-time employees (working 30 or more hours a week) are eligible for a benefits package that includes paid holidays, vacation, sick pay, health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance coverage. The schedule is 6:00am - 2:30pm, Tuesday - Saturday (Sunday and Monday off).

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Community Care Associate, you are the heartbeat of our navigation center—the first smile at intake, the calm presence during crisis, and the consistent anchor in participants' daily journey toward stability. This role transcends traditional "support staff" duties by positioning you as an essential architect of community, safety, and hope within our facility.

You'll create and maintain an environment where dignity thrives alongside structure, where participants feel seen as whole people rather than problems to solve. Your work embodies our core values moment by moment: Love through patient redirection and compassionate boundary-setting; Flexibility by jumping in wherever needed while maintaining program integrity; and Passion that transforms routine tasks into opportunities for connection and encouragement.

From de-escalating tensions with trauma-informed approaches to celebrating small daily victories, from maintaining a clean and welcoming space to being that reliable presence during someone's darkest hour—you are often the difference between a participant feeling warehoused or feeling worthy. You'll collaborate seamlessly with Whole Person Care Coordinators and leadership, recognizing that every interaction, every meal served, every conflict resolved, contributes to someone's larger journey toward wholeness. This isn't just maintaining a facility; it's cultivating a sanctuary where transformation becomes possible.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES:

A. Responsible for performing daily work requirements to achieve established objectives of the program.

• Ongoing source of engagement, information sharing, and problem-solving for participants using trauma-informed, strength-based, compassionate, and professional approaches.


• Explain program requirements and regulations to new participants and ensure compliance.


• Continually reorients participants to rules, rights, and responsibilities.


• Coordinate meal preparation/service, room assignments, and other daily routines.


• Provide shift coverage and always maintain navigation center security and safety, indoors and outdoors.


• Provide emergency assistance to participants and co-workers as necessary within the scope of CPR and First Aid training.


• Perform housekeeping and other maintenance tasks as needed, i.e., change light bulbs, plunge toilet, clean up accidents/messes, etc.


• Prepare for new participants, including sanitizing beds and sleeping areas.


• Cleaning and sanitizing all common areas, including restrooms and laundry, and staff areas, both indoors and outside.


• Assures toiletry and cleaning supplies are stocked and secured.


• Address any behavior issues that create disharmony, criminal, or otherwise non-productive behavior.


• De-escalate crisis before it develops and respond to the situation in an appropriate manner. Provide emergency assistance to participants and co-workers as necessary.


• Takes pertinent participant issues to the Whole Person Care team.


• Role model positive and professional behavior, including appearance, and communication with others.


• Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

B. Responsible for all areas of daily program maintenance in compliance with company policies.

• Maintain daily reports to provide statistical information.


• Complete all shift logs, observation logs, and incident reports.


• Document and notify management of participant concerns, potential workflow problems, and/or any exceptions to policies that can affect program security or safety.


• Adhere to staffing schedules to provide adequate/safe staffing coverage and accomplish program objectives.

C. Responsible for the assistance of training and development of new staff.

• Assist in department orientation and training of new employees as requested to assure quality work outcomes.


• Identify ongoing training for new and existing staff and report needs to management.


• Serve as part of the program development team by providing information and support for developing quality operations.


• Maintain an above-average working knowledge of fire, safety, and health standards to assure a safe work environment for participants and all personnel.

D. Responsible for self-development.

• Continually learn and enhance technical and interpersonal skills.


• Attend staff meetings/assigned training and complete required certifications, i.e., CPR, First Aid.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

This position requires demonstrated ability to communicate and comprehend oral and written instructions and to provide services to difficult participants without ethnic or social prejudices while using evidence-based practices to end homelessness. It requires general knowledge of issues and challenges unique to homelessness, substance abuse, women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Specific knowledge and experience with, mental illness, addiction and recovery, and dysfunctional family dynamics is preferred. Must have the flexibility to work irregular hours. Must be able to function both independently and in a team environment effectively. Tact, discretion, and resourcefulness are required at all times. This position requires CPR and First Aid training within ninety (90) days of employment, recertification as necessary and T.B. testing annually.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Teamwork skills


• Ability to de-escalate crises and assist participants and staff in emergencies


• Oral and written communication skills


• Computer skills


• Ability to assist other people compassionately while maintaining professionalism


• Organizational skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Lift and move up to 40 pounds


• Physically able to safely maneuver the weight distribution of a participant in an emergency


• Repetitive movements such as mopping, and vacuuming


• Ability to climb stairs regularly


• Stand, walk, bend, stoop, and sit frequently


• Kneel occasionally

Pay Range

USD $25.24 - USD $25.24 /Hr.