Family & Shelter Advocate and Evenings, Part-time, Seattle

Family & Shelter Advocate (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Evenings, Part‑time, downtown Seattle)

Mary's Place seeks a responsible and energetic individual with a passion for serving families at our 24‑hour shelter locations. The Advocate will coordinate and facilitate shelter activities, provide care and crisis management, maintain a clean environment, and offer acceptance and hope.

• Lead Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA) check‑ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families.
• Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services.
• Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment and engage families in high‑quality shelter services.
• Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, honoring professional boundaries.
• Address behavioral challenges and provide trauma‑informed crisis management, conflict de‑escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
• Collaborate and regularly communicate with staff and supervisors to ensure consistency and high‑quality service delivery.

• Execute shelter processes according to the time of day and the Shelter Policy Manual.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary environment—disinfect high‑touch areas, do laundry, restock supplies, clean bathrooms and showers, vacuum, sweep, mop floors, and manage trash.
• Serve food while adhering to all food safety and serving protocols, with clear documentation.
• Move around the facility and maintain an active presence to support guests.
• Record and report any building or facility concerns.
• Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings.

• Facilitate a calendar of activities and events for guests; provide feedback to the Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness and improvement ideas.
• Welcome and orient volunteers to the space and their roles, actively engaging them in shelter activities.

• Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation.
• Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality.
• Keep community resources up‑to‑date and accessible to guests.

• Prior experience as a Shelter Advocate strongly preferred.
• Two or more years of work or volunteer experience in a social services setting, or one or more years of social services experience combined with one or more years of customer service experience.
• Experience in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity highly preferred.
• Passion for and demonstrated experience working with children and families.
• Demonstrated creative problem‑solving, conflict de‑escalation, mediation, and crisis management skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma‑informed care.
• Ability to set appropriate boundaries and maintain a professional demeanor in a high‑stress environment.
• Highly motivated, self‑starter, resourceful, flexible, with a positive attitude.
• Compassion and empathy; works well with parents and children from diverse backgrounds.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and the database system, with accurate and timely documentation.
• Strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Sensitivity to clients experiencing homelessness, low‑income, limited English speaking, or other barriers to employment and housing.
• Proficient in English; proficiency in another language preferred (Portuguese, Amharic, Spanish, Lingala, Oromo, French, Russian, Tigrinya, or Marshallese).
• Willingness to take a TB test within 30 days of hire.

• Ability to converse with and listen to people in many settings.
• Use of computer and telephone, and standard office equipment.
• Convey sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, and twisting on an intermittent or continuous basis.
• Occasional push, pull, lift or carry supplies up to 25 lbs.
• Work includes lengthy periods…