About Us:

Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization, serving the Washington, DC region, empowering individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs that have positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy. We have established a national presence and are known for sharing best practices in the field.

Our Core Values:

Friendship Place is a Person – First Organization that believes in promoting transparency, and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to carry out their job tasks in a manner that is consistent with our core values. This includes the following:

• Excellence and Innovation
• Finding Ways to Say “Yes”
• Caring at the Core
• Agents of Change
• Support, Empowerment, and Development
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Collaboration
• Integrity and Accountability

Summary:

The Advocate works to ensure resident and building safety, security and optimal operations. They warmly greet residents and maintain a safe and secure building. This role may conduct wellness checks on certain residents. The Advocate role is part of the La Casa Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) team. The PSH program follows the Housing First model and philosophy, applying best practices and comprehensive case management to ensure resident success. The program provides on-site services to 40 previously chronic homeless single males. The new apartment building consists of seven floors, with 40 studio sized units that contain a private kitchen and bath.

Responsibilities:

• Warmly greet and direct residents and building guests at the front desk of this Permanent Supportive Housing program for 40 single men.
• Monitor security cameras in the building and work to keep residents, staff, and the building safe by appropriately responding to any security issues that may arise.
• Become familiar with the Housing First Model, HSRA, HIPPA to inform job duties and program philosophy.
• Develop rapport with each resident through routine contact and communication.
• Ensure the safety and well being of residents by providing routine wellness checks.
• Assist with medication management for residents including prompting and observing residents take medication Monitor resident’s medical and psychiatric needs, report any concerns to case management team as needed
• Provide crisis intervention as needed and contact emergency response teams such as Mobile Crisis, MPD, fire department, and paramedics when necessary.
• Provide meaningful feedback to case management team and Project Coordinator on both resident and program outcomes including areas for improvement.
• Complete incident reporting when necessary and communicate any incidents, allegations, security breaches, or sensitive situations to case management team.
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to residents’ needs and requests.
• Attend and participate in supervision meetings, staff meetings, agency trainings and professional trainings and conferences as required.
• Follow all agency policies and procedures.
• Ability to work beyond the designated 8-hour tour of duty and display flexibility with last minute shift needs.
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Background & Qualifications:

• Individuals with life experience with homelessness who meet other qualifications are encouraged to apply.
• This experience could be substituted for education or work experience.
• HS Diploma/GED and 5 years general work experience, including one year of experience in direct human service.
• Associates and/or Bachelors degree with 6 months of direct human service experience.
• Capacity to maintain strict confidentiality
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus
• Experience working with individuals with mental health concerns or addiction preferred.
• Ability and willingness to work in a diverse and challenging environment.
• Ability and willingness to work as a team player.
• Knowledge in Microsoft Word, , and the Internet; ability to learn database program
• Ability to maintain healthy and professional boundaries
• Must be able to arrive to work and scheduled meetings on time.
• Strong commitment to mission, including racial equity and social justice

Physical & Environmental Requirements:

• Office is located in an apartment building. Exposed to conditions that arise in homes including occasionally bio hazards (blood, tissue, human waste) and conflict.
• Must have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• Consistent sitting, walking .

Background Checks:

The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check and/or fingerprinting including FBI, drug screening, and Metropolitan Police Clearance

Direct Reports:

None

Indirect Reports:

None

Specific Requirements:

TBC (Please Reference Job Description)

Other Details:

• Application Deadline: This job is open until filled, or the hiring manager determines that they can no longer accept applications.
• Compensation: The hiring pay range is between $16.39 - $19.00 Hourly. Depending on the position, the starting hourly pay rate or annual salary is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials and/or work experience. Please Note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation. Before moving forward in the selection process, interested applicants are encouraged to discuss starting pay eligibility with the Human Resources (Talent) Department.
• Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, 14 paid holidays, 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during 1st year of employment, and much more! (Benefits are pro-rated for part-time employees).
• COVID-19: Effective September 19, 2021, the District of Columbia (DC) mandates COVID-19 vaccination for government employees, contractors, interns, and grantees. As a DC government contractor, we comply with this mandate by ensuring that all employees are in compliance with being vaccinated or have an approved exemption. If you would like to proceed with completing an employment application, it is with the understanding that Friendship Place complies with the DC COVID-19 vaccine mandate. We appreciate your interest in joining the Friendship Place team.
• Location: TBC
• Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.
• Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Diversity & Equal Opportunity Statement:

Friendship Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our team and want to involve all those who can contribute to our inclusive culture. We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website unless otherwise directed. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting: https://friendshipplace.org/who-we-are/careers/ . (While Friendship Place prefers to receive online applications, interested persons may also apply by sending a copy of their resume to HumanResources@friendshipplace.org. Please include the position you are applying for in the subject line to allow your resume to be uploaded to the correct job advertisement)