Seasonal Harm Reduction Advocate - Winter Warming

The Winter Warming Center is a City of Fargo seasonal program that provides secure, low-barrier, overnight warming space for individuals experiencing homelessness in the FM area. From November-April, the Winter Warming Center will be staffed from 8:00pm-8:00am inside the Downtown Engagement Center to mitigate the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Minimal services will be provided during this time as the Warming Center is only intended to serve those who would otherwise be unsheltered due to local shelters being over-capacity.
As part of our efforts to improve outcomes for the people serve, we are committed to working with community partners and city resources to develop clear goals focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. We will collaborate with community partners, program participants, and our staff members to identify and address the ways that systemic racism and other forms of bias contribute to disparities in health outcomes.
The Winter WarmingHarm Reduction Advocate position will qualify for an overnight and weekend pay incentive.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions
   1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
   2. Interaction with the public, vendors/ community partners or across departments occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work related objective
2. Responds to Public Health Emergencies.
   1. Has a working knowledge of the National Incident Management System for emergency preparedness and has completed the courses required for their job;
   2. Fulfills roles within the Department's Emergency Operations Plan as determined by Emergency Preparedness and Management staff;
   3. During an actual emergency, is accessible 24/7 with an established family contingency plan in place.
3. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
   1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
   2. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
   3. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
4. Maintains a safe and supervised shelter and WMU environment; facilitates the efficient and effective operation of the shelter and WMU on a day-to-day basis.
   1. Coordinates shelter guest and WMU client check-in process including bed assignments, bag and property checks, breathalyzer checks, and assessments for safety;
   2. Completes the intake process with new shelter guests and WMU clients and ensures all needed information has been obtained;
   3. Provides intake, assessment and monitoring per shelter and WMU policy.
   4. Provides shelter guests or WMU clients with essentials such as food, fluids, toiletries, etc.
   5. Assures access to emergency services for guests and clients as necessary;
   6. Completes all paperwork, maintain and update shelter guest and WMU client files, and clearly communicate with other shelter and WMU staff through written and verbal reports;
   7. Completes and maintains necessary records, maintaining confidentiality and complying with regulations regarding client confidentiality.
   8. Utilizes the employee communication log to summarize relevant events of each shift;
   9. Reads the employee communication log before beginning shift duties;
   10. Communicates, complies with, and enforces all shelter and WMU rules, policies, and procedures;
   11. Focus on building relationships with shelter guests and WMU clients; this includes but is not limited to meeting basic needs, identifying additional needs based on their current situation, being available to answer questions, and assisting with problem solving, while demonstrating empathy and acceptance;
   12. Utilizes strategies consistent with industry models such as the Harm Reduction model when working with shelter guests; effectively manages crisis and conflict situations;
   13. Greets volunteers and offer support for their efforts, supervision, and assistance as needed;
   14. Completes required training and developmental activities, including continuous learning about issues regarding homelessness substance use and behavioral health as well as the availability of social support systems.
   15. Provides community based services (i.e. social services, homes health, etc.) with adequate resources and space to meet with shelter guest or WMU client. Promotes drop-in services as scheduled.
   16. Provides veteran's drop-in services as outlined per contract with Veteran's Administration.
   17. Continuously develops understanding and knowledge of area resources in order to refer and connect guests to services.
   18. Promotes on-site services and communicates as needed with agencies that are a part of the Gladys Ray network (i.e. shelters, housing, police, WMU staff, etc.)
5. Assists with maintaining facility compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
   1. Maintains current knowledge of standards and codes relating to shelter and WMU operations;
   2. Assists with maintenance and upkeep of the building and grounds.
6. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Special Assignment - Streets to Housed Program
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic support services for unsheltered individuals and those recently housed started to decrease. Lack of safe housing can lead to an increased vulnerability to exposure and transmission of COVID-19 (and other viruses) as people do not have appropriate space or supplies to quarantine, isolate, or simply avoid high risk situations.
Harm Reduction Advocates scheduled in the "streets to housed" program will provide support and service connections to people that are either literally homeless, preparing to move into housing, or recently housed and in need of stabilization supports. Supervision will be provided by the Housing Coordinator.

Efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) are fundamental and expected to be carried out as with all other responsibilities.
Streets to housed program specific responsibilities:

• Provide connections, services, and support that facilitate the move toward housing.
• Provide accurate information regarding safety, testing and vaccinations, and promote education on how to stay as safe as possible (masks, social distancing, etc.).
• Provide rapid testing for housed individuals as well as individuals who may be sleeping outside
• Provide safe transportation to and from Quarantine/Isolation site to include testing and social distancing.
• Carry out daily activities as assigned by the housing coordinator to include outreach, communication, and support to individuals being served in the streets to housed program.
• Participation in team meetings, trainings, planning, and other activities as determined by the housing coordinator
• Complete documentation and reporting on daily activities
• Assist with stabilization supports for recently housed individuals in coordination with housing navigators
• Will include late nights, holidays, and weekends when other workers are not as available as well as day time hours

The job requires a High School diploma or GED and two years experience working in the Human Services Field such as working with low income and homeless populations, substance use, and/or behavioral health programs or any combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. A valid driver's license is required for incumbents who are assigned to drive a City vehicle.
Knowledge, skills and ability include:

• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms;
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and codes relating to social service activities;
• Able to convey accurate information and/or representation of the mission of GRS and WMU, and to educate the general public on issues of homelessness;
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, organize, and manage time effectively;
• Patience, flexibility, and a self-starter;
• Ability to take direction from and provide direction to others;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and appropriate boundaries;
• Commitment to developing cultural competencies and respect for diversity and the differences between people and groups;
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
Medium Work: Most work is performed in a homeless shelter and WMU environment. Work is generally medium with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving within the facility and traveling to local meetings or to obtain supplies. Intermittent driving may be required. The job involves activities related to crisis prevention and intervention. Frequently there is a requirement to actively participate in day-to-day maintenance activities. There may be intermittent exposure to disagreeable working conditions associated with guest or client behavior, illness or hygiene. This job includes day, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts. Incumbents work a floating shift schedule as assigned.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.Employment Type: Seasonal