Shelter Advocate - As Needed

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Agate is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We provide emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply (anyone who has not received services from Agate within the last two years is welcome to apply). We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Why Our Team Chooses Us

• I work here because I believe in our mission, and it actually guides our work. The people who work here are incredibly passionate, smart, fierce, and advocate for the people we serve.
• Sam, Program Manager, 5 years
  
  

• I work at Agate to give strength to people who might not believe in themselves now. To help build confidence and to help establish a community for our clients. After that, housing can begin, which I'm thankful I can help with.
• Jackson, Welcome Center Advocate, 2 years
  
  

• I work at Agate Housing and Services because I care about helping people get back on their feet. We focus on person-centered care, which means really listening to each person's needs and supporting them in a way that makes sense for I'm proud to be part of a team that's working to end homelessness with compassion and respect for everyone.
• Evie, Housing Program Manager, 3 years
  

Our Values

• Integrity: Always doing what's right, even when it's not easy or popular.
• Equity: Challenging unfair systems and making changes that better support those most affected by homelessness and hunger.
• Humanity: Recognizing how these issues affect everyone, building trust, and forming strong relationships by understanding people's needs.
• Creativity: Finding new and original ways to meet the community's needs.
  
  

Shelter Advocate - As needed

Title: Shelter Advocate - As Needed

Reports To: Shelter Program Manager

Schedule: As needed - Primarily 2nd (3:30pm-10:30pm) or 3rd Shift (10:30pm - 8:30am)

Union Representation: None

Job Classification: As needed - Non-Exempt

Compensation: $23.07

Position Overview

The Outreach and Shelter Department serves single adults through our emergency response programs. Our programs include Shelter, Street Outreach and the Welcome Center. Through these programs, we often encounter individuals along the broad spectrum of homelessness from recently homeless to chronically homeless individuals. The goal in each of these programs is to build rapport and assist in connecting individuals to stabilize their housing and achieving self-sufficiency.  

Each Shelter Advocate will manage daily operations within one of two shelters. One shelter program is in downtown Minneapolis and primarily serves single adults experiencing homelessness, with a focus on partnered adults of all genders. The other shelter program is an innovative new building in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis that will open in November 2025, serving single adults based on community needs.

The Shelter Advocate works closely with other shelter employees in a team atmosphere to ensure consistent, safe operation of the shelter for all guests and volunteers. Primary responsibilities include answering phones and performing intakes for new shelter guests, monitoring guest behavior, light housekeeping, meal preparation, meal service, administrative work, documentation, and data entry. Additional responsibilities include representing Agate's shelters at community meetings and trainings.

As-Needed Expectations

• As-needed employees will be provided with the monthly schedule and asked to pick up a minimum of 1-4 shifts per month.
• Supervisors may reach out to the as-needed team to cover emergency shifts when an employee calls off for a scheduled shift.
• Shifts offered will primarily be 2nd (3:00pm- 11:00pm) shift or 3rd (10:30pm-8:30am) shift. Occasionally, 1st shifts will also be available, but primarily on weekends.
• Agate reserves the right to move an on-call employee to an as-needed position based on coverage needs and employees' willingness to accept harder-to-fill shifts.
  
  

Position Responsibilities

Operational Duties & Hospitality - 65% of workload

• Answer requests for shelter, make appropriate referrals. Conduct new shelter guest intakes.
• Make regular rounds inside shelter to ensure guest safety and maintain calm and peaceful atmosphere for sleeping guests; call emergency services when appropriate and manage guest behavior throughout the shift.
• Uphold shelter policy in a consistent, fair, and equitable manner with a positive and respectful demeanor.
• Ensure daily program routines and procedures occur at scheduled times.
• Perform housekeeping and light maintenance tasks as needed and appropriate; wash, fold and replace all linen to ensure availability for the following shift as needed.
• Prep balanced meals for 50-60 guests, utilizing available food stores, as needed to supplement volunteer- and caterer-supplied meals.
• Organize and clean kitchen space, set out meal items at scheduled intervals.
• Respond to voicemails, emails, and other communication promptly.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with clients and colleagues.
  
  

Administrative Duties & Documentation - 30% of workload

• Ensure daily shelter documentation is complete and accurate: including bed/room assignments, data collection/input, daily logbook entries.
• Represent Agate Housing and Services to external stakeholders as necessary.
• Regularly attend scheduled staff meetings and supervisory one-to-one meetings.
• Verbal and written communication is clear, effective, and contains adequate detail.
• Protect private data according to the agency's privacy and confidentiality guidelines.
• Collaborate effectively with team members, other programs, and external organizations.
• Seek out professional growth, training opportunities, and additional tasks.
• Maintain a professional attitude in the face of change, challenging/stressful situations/people.
• Understand and adhere to mandated reporting responsibilities.
  
  

Additional duties as assigned - 5% workload

Required Qualifications

Successful applicants will embrace the following perspectives:

• Commitment to Agate's values and mission to end homelessness.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture within Agate and the community.
• Holds the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Understand that homelessness is primarily the result of policy decisions beyond the control of
  
  

the people we serve.

• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
  
  

Successful Applicants Will Have The Following Skills And Abilities

• Work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.
  
  

Required Skills

Experience that gives applicants the required skills, abilities, and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness.
• Experience working, interning, or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness.
• An Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with
• accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.
  
  

In Addition, Applicants Must

• Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
• Have experience with Microsoft Office products; and pass a background check.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Coordinated Entry systems.
• Experience with HMIS.
• Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals we serve (Spanish, Oromo, Somali, Amharic).
• Experience working in settings with all genders.
  
  

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply, however, those that have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years are ineligible for employment.

This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications required for the position. The organization reserves the right to modify, add, or remove job duties as business needs evolve.

How To Apply

Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under "Apply Now" and you will be directed to the full application, where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you have previously created an account to apply for a position at Agate Housing and Services, log in to your account before attempting to apply for another position.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls please.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LBGTQ individuals.