Family & Shelter Advocate; Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun Seattle
Listed on 2026-01-14
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Social Work
Family Advocacy & Support Services -
Non-Profit & Social Impact
Family & Shelter Advocate (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun, Full-time, 36 Hours, downtown Seattle)
Mary's Place invites candidates to apply for the Family & Shelter Advocate role, a full‑time position that works Thursdays through Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., providing essential support to families experiencing homelessness.
We are looking for a responsible and energetic individual with a passion for serving families at our 24‑hour shelter locations. Family & Shelter Advocates work with parents and children experiencing homelessness and in need of a safe refuge.
General responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating shelter activities, providing care and crisis management, facilitating a set program schedule, maintaining a clean environment, and offering acceptance and hope.
As part of Mary's Place equity work, advocates strive for racially equitable outcomes and support communities for people of color, immigrants, refugees, trans and gender‑non‑conforming people, and others routinely facing systemic oppression.
Key Responsibilities Guest Relations (40%)- Lead Guest Direct Advocacy (GDA) check‑ins with an assigned caseload, providing consistent, individualized support to families in shelter.
- Assist guests with internal and external resource navigation, including housing, employment, healthcare, and education services.
- Proactively create a welcoming and affirming environment, engage families in high‑quality shelter services.
- Maintain a calm, affirming demeanor and model positive behavior, such as upholding professional boundaries.
- Address behavioral challenges, provide trauma‑informed crisis management, conflict de‑escalation, and set appropriate limits through an equity lens.
- Effectively collaborate and regularly communicate with other staff members and supervisors to ensure consistency; a team‑based, solution‑oriented approach to the work; and high‑quality service delivery.
- Collaboratively execute shelter processes according to time of the day and in accordance with the Shelter Policy Manual.
- Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment—disinfect high‑touch areas; do laundry; restock supplies; clean bathrooms and showers; vacuum, sweep, and mop floors; clean up after meals; take out garbage, compost, and recycling; etc.
- Serve food and adhere to all food safety and serving protocols, including clear and consistent documentation.
- Move around the facility and maintain an active and engaging presence around shelter.
- Record and report any building/facility concerns.
- Attend required trainings and monthly staff meetings.
- Facilitate calendar of activities and events for the benefit of our guests. Provide feedback to Shelter & Services Manager, Program Services Director, and Site Director on effectiveness of programming and ideas for improvement.
- Welcome and help orient volunteers to the space and their roles; actively engage volunteer in shelter activities.
- Author, upload, and maintain clear, objective, and accurate electronic guest records, reports, and shelter documentation.
- Handle and protect sensitive information; maintain confidentiality.
- Maintain up‑to‑date community resources as provided by other program teams, and make them easily accessible to guests.
This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position, the level of knowledge and skills typically required, and the general scope of responsibility. Individuals will perform other duties as assigned.
Skills / Qualifications- Prior experience as a Shelter Advocate is 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 working in a shelter setting or with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity is highly preferred.
- Passion for and demonstrated experience working with children and families is preferred.
- Demonstrated creative problem solving, conflict de‑escalation, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills.
- Demons…
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