Summary
IPH?s Emergency Shelter, Medical Respite, and Community Connections Shelters in Albany serve individuals experiencing a broad range of challenges, including poverty, mental health and substance use disorders, medical challenges, and legal issues. IPH?s Direct Support Staff oversee the operation of the shelters and provide supportive services to shelter guests on the weekends and outside of regular business hours.
Principle Responsibilities, Accountabilities, & Duties
Direct Support Staff are responsible for maintaining an emotionally and physically safe and supportive environment for shelter guests through the following functions, as well as other assigned activities:
Interacting with Guests

• Actively contribute to an emotionally and physically welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for shelter guests
• Engage guests using active listening, empathy, and patience
• Provide information about shelter services and communicate shelter expectations
• Support guests with independent daily living skills such as making beds, cleaning, and laundry
• Manage interpersonal conflicts and misunderstandings between guests
• Implement de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques, and respond effectively to emergency situations
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all areas: written, spoken, and observed communication

Providing Access to Shelter Services

• Heat and serve meals and snacks for guests
• Distribute needed items to shelter guests, including linens, hygiene products, and cleaning supplies
• Distribute mail to shelter guests
• Label and store guests? belongings in secure storage room and provide access to belongings as needed
• Supervise the use of secure laundry room and laundry machines
• Supervise guests' use of secure medication storage and supervise guests? self-administration of medication

Oversight of Shelter Facility

• Accept after-hours referrals to the shelter by phone and facilitate the admission process for new shelter guests, including completing intake paperwork
• Complete required documentation, including Shift Notes, Incident Reports, Health & Safety Reports, and Hourly Rounds forms
• Communicate any after-hours guest needs to the Shelter Case Manager and/or Shelter Supervisor
• Ensure the security and safety of the building and shelter guests by completing regular (minimum hourly) rounds, monitoring security cameras, monitoring entrances, and answering the doorbell
• Provide support and a welcoming environment to community volunteers and donors
• Maintain a neat and clean environment by sweeping and mopping, dusting, and wiping down surfaces, cleaning and organizing linens, emptying trash cans, and keeping storage areas tidy
• Use Universal Precautions to prevent contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials

Professional Development

• Participate in Staff Trainings, including First Aid, CPR, and Naloxone
• Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Direct Support Supervisor and monthly Direct Support Staff meetings
• Use the IPH 24/7 On Call system for support as needed

Qualifications

• Experience in a human service setting and/or experience with the homeless population preferred
• Experience with substance abuse and mental health preferred
• Sensitive to the needs of the homeless community
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, and Word
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to lift 25lbs

Hours, Salary, & Benefits Information
Hours: Evenings, overnights, and weekends
Job Type: Full-Time
Salary: $17.00 per hour
8 hour shift
Day Shifts
Evening shifts
Overnight shifts
Holidays
On call
Weekend availability