About us

Aurora Commons is a nonprofit organization in Seattle, WA. We cultivate community and belonging to foster health and healing among our neighbors experiencing poverty and homelessness.

Position Summary:

As an Aurora Commons Community Engagement Specialists (CES), the primary function is to create a welcoming environment and offer radical hospitality for our unsheltered community. CES help to connect the Aurora Commons community to in-house and partner resources and community advocates while maintaining a clean, safe, and inviting environment. We are a place for folks to hang out, rest and get a meal. We provide basic need supplies, food and access to a clothing closet, restrooms, and advocacy including emergency assistance. This is a fast-paced environment and requires the staff to be on their feet for the majority of the 5-hour shift. As an Aurora Commons Community Engagement Specialist the primary function is to create a welcoming and hospitable space for our unhoused neighbors while building positive compassionate relationships. CES help to connect Aurora Commons guests to in-house and partner resources and community advocates while maintaining a clean and inviting environment.

• Foster a sense of belonging by treating all people who access our space with dignity and respect, greeting our unhoused neighbors with warmth and kindness.
• Maintain a supportive, welcoming, and inviting presence at all times and proactively work to build rapport through authenticity and care.
• Treat every person with dignity and with an awareness of cultural differences, assuring Aurora Commons commitment to cultural diversity and inclusivity exceeds expectations.
• Distribute food, hygiene, personal care items, bus tickets, and resource info.
• Assist in the scheduling of laundry, clothing closet, and bathroom usage.
• Mediate conflicts and model appropriate problem-solving strategies.
• Enforce Aurora Commons Rules and Procedures utilizing a Trauma-Informed approach.
• Basic maintenance, organization, and maintaining a high standard of facility cleanliness and safety in accordance with Public Health and CDC recommendations.
• Arrive on time and complete set-up of the space prior to opening and ensure closing checklist is completed after each day of operation.
• Track daily attendance and maintain the daily, bus tickets, and laundry list logs.
• Attend and participate in all in-service training and meetings.
• Work cooperatively with coworkers, neighbors, and volunteers.
• Other duties as requested by supervisor and leadership staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively interact with unhoused neighbors, co-workers, and volunteers with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and treat each individual with respect, dignity, and compassion.
• Excellent communication skills, including a person-centered approach.
• Ability to work effectively with a team.
• Flexibility to accommodate a variety of work tasks.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform physical work.
• Ability to stand or walk during the majority of a 6-hour work shift.
• Basic computer skills.
• Food Handler Permit (can obtained at time of hire)

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in Mental Health Field
• Familiarity with harm reduction.
• Experience working with unhoused members of our community.
• Experience in Hospitality.
• Bilingual

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Aurora Commons is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification.

Benefits

• Health Reimbursement Arrangement that can be used for health insurance, vision, dental, mental health, or other medical related expenses.
• Generous Paid Time off
• Paid Holidays and a full paid holiday week off in December
• Self Care Fund

Hours per week:

• 20-25

Typical end time:

• 2PM

Typical start time:

• 8:30AM

Work Remotely

• No

Job Type: part-time

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 25 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Day shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• Hospitality: 1 year (Preferred)
• working with unhoused community: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person