What are the responsibilities and job description for the Advocate position at Africatown Community Land Trust?
Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) seeks an Advocate responsible for providing front-line
customer services to Benu Community Home program guests. The Advocate position will work as
part of a team in a 24/7 enhanced shelter program
About Us
Africatown Community Land Trust is working for community ownership of land in the Central District.
This can support the cultural and economic thriving of people who are part of the African diaspora in the
Greater Seattle area. The Africatown Community Land Trust board is comprised of real estate
professionals, business executives, entrepreneurs, business professionals and long-time community
members from the Central District.
The ACLT's Benu Community Home provides 24/7 enhanced transitional housing and supportive services
for self-identifying males experiencing homelessness. Community Guests (residents) are deemed
qualified before intake. Community Guests (residents) are regarded as having needs and generally may
have physical disabilities, chronic and acute mental illness, active chemical dependency, and/or trauma.
This is a low-barrier, program.
MISSION
To acquire, develop, and steward land in Greater Seattle to empower & preserve the
Black Community.
VISION
Vibrant and thriving black communities through land ownership.
VALUES
Typical duties may include:
Direct service to Guests/Daily or Ongoing Services
This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood,
bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material. Other exposures could include cleaning supplies,
chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance. Working
conditions may include interruptions, interactions with angry persons, and exposure to computer CRTs.
Physical And Mental Acuity Demands
The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
Enable Individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions.
customer services to Benu Community Home program guests. The Advocate position will work as
part of a team in a 24/7 enhanced shelter program
About Us
Africatown Community Land Trust is working for community ownership of land in the Central District.
This can support the cultural and economic thriving of people who are part of the African diaspora in the
Greater Seattle area. The Africatown Community Land Trust board is comprised of real estate
professionals, business executives, entrepreneurs, business professionals and long-time community
members from the Central District.
The ACLT's Benu Community Home provides 24/7 enhanced transitional housing and supportive services
for self-identifying males experiencing homelessness. Community Guests (residents) are deemed
qualified before intake. Community Guests (residents) are regarded as having needs and generally may
have physical disabilities, chronic and acute mental illness, active chemical dependency, and/or trauma.
This is a low-barrier, program.
MISSION
To acquire, develop, and steward land in Greater Seattle to empower & preserve the
Black Community.
VISION
Vibrant and thriving black communities through land ownership.
VALUES
- Ownership Promoting, Increasing, and protecting/supporting individual and collective ownership of land and businesses
- Opportunity Promoting, increasing, and protecting/supporting opportunities for well-being.
- Community Collaborative Partnerships Build community, collaborate, and partner with others around shared values to maximize and accelerate impact.
- Cultural Heritage Preservation Acknowledge, honor, promote, and celebrate the Black legacy in Seattle.
- Innovation Takes initiative to identify creative solutions towards continuous improvement of existing processes and brings new ways of approaching the work culturally.
- Globally Connected Intergenerational Wealth Creation ACLT's work is locally rooted but globally connected to create mutual enrichment benefits.
- Racial Equity & Social Justice Leading with and centering the needs of the Black community in asset ownership, equitable distribution of wealth, opportunities, and access historically denied by systems of oppression.
Typical duties may include:
Direct service to Guests/Daily or Ongoing Services
- Provide crisis intervention and advocacy to Guests.
- Model interpersonal and living skills for Guests.
- Enforce building and program rules including exit and return policy.
- Maintain a safe and comfortable enhanced Community Home environment, including removal of garbage (Guest rooms and common areas).
- Assist janitorial and maintenance staff in preparing rooms as Guests exit and enter the Benu Program.
- Work as a team with other colleagues on shift and be able to work independently without direct supervision.
- Weekly room scan for Guests to ensure safety and cleanliness standards are met.
- Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule. Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented work environment; participate with other staff members in the group decision-making process.
- Assist with Guests and program laundry as needed. Maintain cleanliness and order at front desk and lobby area.
- Inform supervisors of facilities and Guest-related issues.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
- Staff Advocate desks on second and third floor: including welcoming Guests, visitors, monitoring security cameras and lobby, enforcing building and program rules, and sanitizing Guest belongings.
- Perform routine walk-through of the entire building to engage with Guests and ensure safety.
- Process messages and maintain accurate Guests tracking records (curfew log, bed map, meal tracker, chore list, etc.).
- Answer phones and provide information to callers about the program or intake process.
- Assist with preparing and serving meals, as needed.
- Assist with meal clean-up after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Assist participants as they move into or out of the building as needed.
- Assist in event planning, set-up, facilitation, and tear-down as needed.
- Provide guidance and support to temporary employees or volunteers on shift.
- Monthly Benu Team meetings, Guests House Meetings, All Staff, etc.
- Engage in required training (online and in-person)
- Attend staff meetings, workshops, retreats, and in-service classes as provided.
- Assist in the facilitation of Enrichment classes and other Programming
- Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule.
- Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented work environment; participate with other staff members in the group decision-making process.
- Assist with Guest and program laundry as needed.
- Inform supervisors of facilities and Guest-related issues.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood,
bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material. Other exposures could include cleaning supplies,
chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance. Working
conditions may include interruptions, interactions with angry persons, and exposure to computer CRTs.
Physical And Mental Acuity Demands
The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
Enable Individuals With Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions.
- Able to hear telephone rings, phone conversation, doorbells, emergency alarms and face-to-face conversation.
- Able to speak clearly in person and on the telephone.
- Able to hand write legibly.
- Vision that enables person to read normal size print and handwritten notes; and distance and peripheral vision than enables person to monitor large space and identify concerns that require staff response.
- Mobility/dexterity of hands/arms to enable keying into locked areas as well as using a computer and other office equipment.
- Able to sit for sustained periods of time.
- Able to walk the entire building and ascend and descend stairs quickly to move from one floor to another in order to respond to emergency situations.
- Ability to lift, move and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
- Able to make independent decisions and apply sound judgment in performing job duties.
- One year experience working with people experiencing homelessness.
- Experience or knowledge of mental illness and addictions.
- Knowledge and experience with crisis intervention.
- Commitment to harm reduction program model.
- Ability to work within the mission, goals, and objectives of ACLT.
- Ability to commit to developing and safekeeping a workplace that values and supports a culturally diverse work environment.
- Must have a reliable phone or voice mail service to be reached during scheduled and on-call hours.
- Ability to contribute to a work environment that fosters respect, teamwork, and excellence.
- CPR/First Aid training and Trauma-informed Care training within the first 90 days of employment.
- Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.
- College-level classes toward a degree in social services, psychology, or a related field of study.
- Previous work experience in programs that work with vulnerable populations.
- 100% Employer medical, dental, and vision paid coverage
- Generous Vacation (PTO) and Sick Leave
- 11 Paid Holidays and 2 Personal Holidays
- Matching 401(K) Plan up to 4%
- Annual Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $1,000
- Flex Spending Account (FSA)
- Employer-paid Life and AD&D insurance
- Employer-paid Long-term and Short-term Disability insurance
- Professional Development Stipends
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Opportunity to participate in planning community events
- Opportunity to positively contribute to the community
- Complete an ACLT job application on the company website.
- Attach one PDF with a:
- Letter of interest detailing how you qualify for the position and why you are interested in working at Africatown Community Land Trust and
- Resume that details your professional experience related to the position.
- Application material missing cover letters will not be considered.