Agency Summary
OPI is a low barrier, housing first emergency shelter for women and families experiencing homelessness. Our program focuses on helping clients secure permanent housing as the first step towards achieving self-sufficiency. We serve both the chronically homeless and those experiencing an acute housing crisis, with priority given to those at greatest risk. The shelter provides a safe, supportive environment where clients’ basic needs for food, water, and safety are met. We work with each client to develop a personalized case management plan to help them find housing, increase their income, and achieve financial stability. We also connect them to community resources so that they have long term tools available to maintain their financial stability. As a family first, trauma informed care organization, we are committed to tackling homelessness with respect, honesty, and courage.
Position Summary
The Client Services Specialist (CSS) is responsible mainting a safe, supportive shelter environment in the evenings and on the weekend. S/he will monitor the needs and safety of residents and be available to handle emergencies and de-escalate crises. They will ensure clients basic needs are met by assisting with the meal donor program, and by cleaning and preparing rooms for new clients. S/he will also be responsible for enforcing shelter policies and rules with compassion, using trauma informed care best practices. S/he will support client’s case management plans by helping them with housing searches, job applications, benefit applications, etc.
Qualifications
A passion for helping women and families experiencing homelessness. Effective, compassionate, empathetic communications, listening and interpersonal skills. Experience handling emergencies and de-escalating crises. An ability and desire to work with challenged and diverse populations including clients, volunteers, donors, and groups. Strong administrative skills (e.g., Microsoft word, office, excel, outlook, social media). Project management skills. Ability to work independently and as a team member. Ability to work with sensitive, confidential information. Associates Degree preferred but not required. Must have the ability to work non-traditional hours and to lift 30 pounds.
Essential Duties and Core Responsibilities
Maintain a safe, healthy, supportive environment at the shelter during the evening and weekend shift:
- Monitor client needs and safety.
- Manage client crises in ways that de-escalate conflict
- Enforce shelter rules with Compassion
- Utilize trauma informed care best practices to engage clients.
- Work with client lead to ensure that chores are done that the shelter is clean.
- Help with evening meal + assist meal donors.
- Document compliance issues and violations. Complete incident reports.
- Lock up and secure all buildings at the end of shift.
Client Support and direct assistance
- Supporting case manager by helping clients with their case plan (e.g. helping with housing searches, helping clients fill out applications, working with clients on resumes, etc).
- Keeping bulletin boards updated and customized to the needs of our current clients.
- Communicate with other team members about client status and needs.
- Maintain client roster + internal client outcome database
- Help to clean rooms upon client exit + to set up rooms upon client intake.
- Help with distribution of supplies to residents.
Administrative
- Support executive director as needed with donor management and administrative functions related to organizational events.
- Distribute mail and process payments for services/assistance to clients.
Community
- Interface with weekend and evening volunteers to support clients and organization.
Hours
15-25 hours per week. Saturdays 12pm-9pm; Tuesdays + Wednesdays 5pm-9pm are the regular shifts. There may be times when you are asked to work an additional shift or extend your hours. You are also expected to be available for staff meetings (currently 3-5 on Mondays) and staff training.
Location
305 Lovejoy Rd, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
Responsible To
Executive Director