Truckee Navigation Center - Lead Community Care Associate

Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada; Truckee (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Volunteers of America Northern California and Northern Nevada seeks a Lead Community Care Associate for the Truckee Navigation Center. This full-time role covers day and swing shifts with Saturday 6:00am start and Sunday-Wednesday 2:00pm start, at a 24-hour shelter providing housing and services.

You’ll lead a team, apply trauma-informed care, coordinate with Whole Person Care, support case management, and help participants move toward stable housing with dignity and safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services, sociology, or a related field is highly desired but not required or two years of experience working with the homeless population and experience in a lead or peer mentoring role is preferred.
• Working knowledge of evidence-based practices in ending homelessness is required.
• CPR and First Aid training within ninety days of employment, recertification as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead Community Care Associate responsibilities include but are not limited to shift leadership and guidance.
• Ensure program standards, safety protocols, and documentation across shifts.
• Coordinate shift activities and maintain program flow.
• Support onboarding of new staff through shadowing and mentoring.
• Provide coaching on trauma-informed approaches and professional boundaries.
• Assist with case management support and housing plan coordination.
• Maintain daily program maintenance and ensure safety and security.

Skills

Team leadership

Trauma-informed care

Crisis de-escalation

Communication

Documentation

CPR/First Aid

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

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, day/swing shift, Lead Community Care Associate at the Truckee Navigation Center. The schedule is Saturday Day shift starting at 600am, then Sunday-Wednesday swing shift starting at 200pm. 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.

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

• Lead Community Care Associate responsibilities include but are not limited to
• Serve as the shift lead, providing guidance and real-time support to Community Care Associates
• Ensure consistent application of program standards, safety protocols, and documentation requirements across shifts
• Coordinate shift activities, prioritize tasks, and maintain program flow
• Act as primary point of contact for operational issues during assigned shifts and accelerate matters to management as appropriate
• Support onboarding of new staff through shadowing, peer mentoring, and modeling of best practices
• Provide coaching and feedback to team members on trauma-informed approaches, de-escalation techniques, and professional boundaries
• Identify training needs and operational improvements based on day-to-day program activities and communicate these to management
• Case management support responsibilities include
• Assist the Whole Person Care Coordinator with participant engagement, follow-ups, and service coordination
• Help participants prepare for case management appointments, housing applications, and benefits appointments
• Support basic documentation, data entry, and progress tracking as assigned
• Reinforce housing plans, goals, and action steps with participants during daily interactions
• Communicate observations about participant progress, challenges, and needs to case management staff
• Assist with scheduling, appointment reminders, and coordination with partner service providers
• Help maintain accurate participant files and program data systems
• 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.
• Responsible for all areas of daily program maintenance in compliance with company policies.
• Ensure quality and completeness of documentation by all staff on shift
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, human services, sociology, or a related field is highly desired but not required or two (2) years of experience working with the homeless population and experience in a lead or peer mentoring role is preferred. Working knowledge of all evidence-based practices in ending homelessness is required. CAC/CADC or experience working in alcohol/drug recovery programs preferred. The Community Care Associate - Lead must have a working knowledge of property management, fair housing laws, and credit statements. This position requires demonstrated ability in record keeping, good written and verbal communication skills, disabilities or mental illness, substance abuse and recovery, low income, and the general homeless population. This position requires CPR and First Aid training within ninety (90) days of employment, recertification as necessary, and T.B. testing annually. A valid driver’s license and the ability to meet the organization's insurance carrier guidelines are required. You must undergo a criminal background check.

SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED

• Teamwork skills
• Ability to de-escalate crises and assist participants and staff in emergencies
• Oral and written communication skills
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills, particularly in high-stress situations
• Ability to provide peer leadership without formal supervisory authority
• 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

USD $27.81 - USD $27.81 /Hr.