Drop-in Center Specialist bei Friendship Place

Description

Position Title: Drop-in Center Specialist 

Reports to: Director – Welcome Center Services Division

Category: Exempt

Location: Friendship Place Welcome Center (4713 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC)

Hours: Mon-Fri (8:30 am-4:30 pm); Some evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required 

Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. These include the following: Excellence and Innovation, Finding Ways to Say “Yes,” Caring at the Core, Agents of Change, Support, Empowerment and Development, Building Relationships, Integrity, and Accountability.

Summary: The Drop-In Specialist supports daily operations of the Welcome Center, assisting with building functions and participant services to ensure a safe, welcoming, and efficient environment. The Drop-In Specialist helps strengthen the Welcome Center’s ability to provide person-centered services and contributes to efforts that enhance resources supporting participants. The role requires strong relationship-building skills with diverse groups of people and a commitment to serving individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the Washington, DC area.

The Drop-In Specialist should be able to make sound decisions that align with the organization's mission and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency situations. Responsibilities may include supporting participant services, volunteer engagement, housing navigation, and data collection to keep programs running efficiently. The specialist is expected to work the Drop-In as scheduled. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development, implementation, and review of Division/Program Policies and Procedures
• Attend Open House/ WC events 
• Assist with inspections of the facility to identify and report any repair or safety needs 
• Attend professional training and conferences as needed
• Collaborate with the Division Director or other leadership when larger repairs, contracts, or budget approvals are needed, and to ensure a record of required fire drills, inspections, and safety/maintenance issues.
• Complete routine (Bi-annual) internal program file review/audit to ensure data quality, eligibility documentation, inspection reports, and other compliance reports for Division programs
• Communicate maintenance concerns reported by staff or participants to the appropriate vendors, track and follow up on requests until resolved.
• Communicate professionally and clearly in all interactions—both written and verbal—to support seamless service delivery and collaboration
• Demonstrate and support staff in the implementation of high-quality person-centered, trauma-informed services to program participants
• Maintains compliance with all assigned mandatory training and background clearances.
• Maintain records of vendor contacts, service requests, and completed work 
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, supervision, and actively seek out professional development opportunities.
• Point of Contact for volunteer meal drop off and building relationships with food vendors to ensure food sustainability within the Welcome Center
• Provide support to Emergency/On-Call support line (Residential/Shelters) as needed
• Responds to WC specific voicemails/ Emails
• Returning all unclaimed or outdated mail to the post office and purging unnecessary mail and packages from the Welcome Center. Ensure sensitive or confidential items are securely disposed of.
• Review and process one-time rental assistance requests and inquiries
• Schedule and coordinate vendor visits to ensure timely service delivery
• Support implementation of empowerment culture throughout Welcome Center Services Division
• Collaborate with the Welcome Center Division to provide support to volunteers, interns, and other groups as needed
• Work Drop-in Shift as scheduled 
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education/Experience:

• High school Diploma with at least 5+years' experience in Social Services or a Bachelor's degree in any field and 3 year’s of experience in Social Services 
• Experience working with individuals/households experiencing homelessness, at-risk of homelessness, households with children, the LGBTQ+ community, and behavioral health needs (Preferred).
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices in case management services, homeless services, trauma-informed care, and recovery services (Preferred).
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (Preferred)
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to presenting needs
• Able to demonstrate professionalism across all levels of the organization at work and any organization-sponsored event
• Excellent time management, detail-oriented, organized, capable of maintaining confidentiality, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
•  Flexible and passionate about providing a broad spectrum of services to vulnerable populations
• Must be able to demonstrate active listening, emotional awareness, and the ability to adapt their communication style to different individuals and situations
• Proficiency in Office 365 System, specifically Word and Excel
• Strong commitment to the organization’s mission, vision, and values
• Strong intra- and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to express ideas clearly in both verbal and written form; skilled in respectful client, colleague, and supervisor interactions, as well as accurate, professional, and timely documentation
• Strong knowledge of human development, empowerment, and solution-focused principles
• Willingness to work independently and in a team setting

Working conditions: The position will divide time between office-based work, supporting building operations, and attending meetings or engagements with key stakeholders. Travel related to these responsibilities may account for approximately 25%–40% of the role. 

Physical and Environmental Requirements: Position requires split time between an office setting and traveling to engagements via car or public transportation. Employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time with repetitive motion and positions. Employee must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25lbs)

Background checks: The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check, CFSA Child Abuse/Neglect Background Check, NSO, FBI fingerprinting, and drug testing.

Specific Requirements: Must have his/her own transportation to carry out job duties and responsibilities. The vehicle must meet legal requirements (insured, registered, etc.) and the employee must have a valid driver's license.

Other Details:

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 $53,794.26 - $58,835.39 annually. The starting 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 work experience. Please Note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation.

COVID-19: All Friendship Place employees, regardless of their vaccination status, must continue to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with agency’s COVID-19 protocols and applicable law and guidance. This includes, but is not limited to, wearing masks in congregated settings, washing their hands or using hand sanitizer often, monitoring their daily health, and staying home if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (or if they are otherwise prohibited from reporting to work by health provider pursuant to CDC, state and local guidance). Since the public health and legal landscapes regarding this policy are subject to frequent changes, Friendship Place reserves the right to amend or cancel this policy at any time at its sole discretion, consistent with applicable law, consistent with CDC guidelines and the DC Department of Health. 

Location: 4713 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016

Interview Process: Phone screening, Panel style interview, Program Visits, Final Interview. 

Website: www.friendshipplace.org 

Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Reasonable Accommodation 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. Friend Place is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact human resources at [email protected]

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting www.friendshipplace.org