Position Title: Community Assistant

Reports to: Program Manager, Shelter Operations

FLSA: Part-time (10-15 hours/week), Non-exempt (hourly)

Salary: $18.00 per hour

Location: Downtown San Diego area

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Program Manager, Shelter Operations, the Community Assistant, you will play a vital role in providing essential services and support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness at the O Lot Shelter site. As a live-on community assistant you will be responsible for creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment within our facility, fostering a sense of community among residents, and assisting with day-to-day operations.

Essential Job Functions & Duties

• Greet and check-in residents with a warm and compassionate attitude.
• Provide information on available services, resources, and programs.
• Assist residents with basic needs, such as access to hygiene facilities, clean clothing, and meal distribution.
• Foster a sense of community and respect among shelter residents.
• Organize and facilitate group activities, workshops, and support groups to promote social interaction and personal growth.
• Encourage residents to participate in community events and initiatives
• Monitor the shelter premises to ensure the safety and security of all residents.
• Address conflicts and behavioral issues in a calm and de-escalating manner.
• Collaborate with security personnel and shelter management to maintain a safe environment.
• Maintain accurate records of resident intake, assessments, and activities.
• Assist with managing bed assignments and occupancy data.
• Report any maintenance or facility issues to the Program Director/Manager.
• Connect residents with appropriate community resources, including healthcare, employment, housing, and social services.
• Stay informed about local resources and services to provide up-to-date information.
• Adhere to all local, state, and federal guidelines and laws. (i.e., HIPAA, OSHA, FLSA)

**Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all the activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.**

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience working in, and understanding, a homeless shelter, and social services required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Empathy, compassion, and the ability to work with diverse populations.
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in program development and service delivery.
• Ability to read and write in English (bilingual or multilingual preferred)

Total Rewards Package

This is a part-time non- exempt (hourly) position. The starting salary for this position is $18 per hour. This position is contingent on successfully passing a background check. DSDP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

About the Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the principal voice and driving force behind the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego through membership, advocacy, public services, and community investment. The organization’s nearly 300 members, representing a variety of business sectors including real estate, technology, banking, law, defense, insurance, communications, energy, and tourism are committed to nurturing a Downtown that benefits the entire San Diego region.

It also serves as the managing organization for several special districts and charitable foundations including the Property and Business Improvement District – otherwise known as Clean & Safe – which provides essential public services in the 275 blocks of Downtown. Through these programs, we have provided enhanced services in maintenance, safety, beautification, and homeless outreach, supported business promotion and retention, and improved the quality of life on behalf of Downtown’s neighborhoods for more than 20 years. In all, these programs provide an annual contractual budget of approximately $13 million annually. To learn more about our work in these areas, please visit: downtownsandiego.org.

Our Values

Deliver excellent service: We strive to provide exceptional customer service through listening to our customers, providing efficient services, and innovative solutions resulting in value for our many stakeholders.

Be fun and open-minded with a quirky sense of creativity: We work hard but take time to celebrate our collective achievements and realize there's always more than one perspective to consider when approaching a challenge.

Pursue growth and learning: We invest in our people so they can continue to build skills and perspectives that enrich the work we do.

Build honest relationships and communication: We believe honesty leads to strong relationships built on a foundation of trust.

Nurture a safe work environment: We have a collective commitment to emphasize safety over competing goals to ensure the protection of people and our environment.

Inclusiveness and diversity: We honor the inherent value of every individual’s unique story, experience, and perspective. We strive to amplify the voices of our staff, community, and stakeholders and to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can contribute one’s authentic self.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the Downtown San Diego Partnership, we are an organization that attracts and empowers diversity throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the whole person and the lived experience that makes each of us unique. We strive to foster a safe environment, both internally within our organization and externally towards the communities we engage with, in which we encourage all voices to be heard and amplified as needed. We know our strengths come from championing our differences and acknowledge that each person deserves a voice and a seat at the table. Our ability to feel or be united through inclusion will result in better discussions, decisions, and outcomes that will allow us to advance the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego.