BACKGROUND
The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of antiracism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.
The Boston Public Health Commission’s Homeless Services Bureau (HSB) provides emergency shelter, job training, behavioral health support, and housing services to unhoused individuals in Boston. We serve close to 5,000 individuals every year and are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England. We aim to make homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and one time. We do that by problem-solving with new guests at the front door to try to prevent anyone from entering homelessness to begin with. For individuals who do become homeless and use our shelters, we help them quickly move out of homelessness and find a safe place to call home. Once housed, we provide in-home support to ensure someone does not return to homelessness. We use a Housing First and racial justice framework, which is built on the foundation that housing is a social determinant of health, a basic need that everyone deserves, and does not require sobriety. We foster evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing in the delivery of our services, and ensure services are low-threshold and accessible to our guests.
The Operations Assistant Coordinator is part of a team that oversees front line Emergency Shelter Operations staff, to assure safe shelter operations and the overall well-being of shelter guests. Operations Assistant Coordinators serve as the bridge between shelter operations and shelter services, meeting individuals “where they are” and providing non-judgmental, trauma-informed services and resources to individuals.
DUTIES
- Provide a safe and supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness. Responsible for the overall stability of the shelter environment for guests and staff by ensuring compliance with shelter rules and policies.
- Assists in the daily operation and supervision of emergency shelter operations staff.
- Supervises and provides milieu support – which may include escorting guests throughout shelter and individual guest engagement and performing services in the main housing areas of the shelter, designated low-threshold units/areas, and other specialized units/space.
- Carries out certain responsibilities of Coordinator in his/her absence and on weekends. Schedules Operations and fill in staff to ensure shift coverage and shelter safety. Assists in the supervision and training of assigned staff. Assists in staff evaluations. Assists Coordinator in preparing time sheets. Communicates to staff all information concerning internal operations and changes in policy and procedure.
- Supervises and implements shelter safety procedures including regular safety rounds throughout shelter and search procedures for guests entering shelter.
- Enforces rules and policies objectively, fairly and appropriately. Develop positive professional relationships with clients to facilitate care.
- Ensure basic needs of shelter guests are addressed and facilitate access as needed; includes distribution of safety and public health supplies, food, clothing, linens, etc.
- Coordinate the distribution and collection of guest resources including linens, food, clothing and toiletries.
- Facilitate immediate access to safety, health, and public health supplies for all guests.
- Conduct formal and informal assessments to determine needs and make appropriate referrals to internal and external programs
- Coordinate with internal programs to assist in the administration and/or facilitation of group meetings, life skills and information training, and day program activities.
- Provides appropriate conflict management and crisis intervention.
- Conducts and facilitates shift meetings in collaboration with the Coordinator.
- Assist guests with daily living tasks as appropriate.
- Conducts informal counseling sessions to assess needs of clients and follow up with Services staff.
- Reads the shelter log daily and makes appropriate log entries on important information on guests, results of rounds, etc.
- Communicates with other sites and agencies as needed and as appropriate.
- Demonstrate professional conduct and relationships with all internal and external partners.
- Maintain accurate records such as recording log notes and data entry into ETO or other HMIS.
- Provide phone coverage as necessary.
- Transports clients via program van.
- Attends required meetings and training sessions.
- Performs work-related tasks as needed and as requested by the supervisor.
- Works to help BPHC become an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of one (1) year’s experience in Human Services or High School Diploma/GED Certificate and three (3) years minimum Human Services or relevant life experience may be substituted.
Valid MA driver’s license and good driving record required. Applicants who do not possess a valid MA driver’s license are eligible for hire but must obtain a valid, active MA driver’s license within the first six months of employment and thereafter maintain such license as conditions of employment.
Ability to follow directions and work collaboratively with staff and guests.
Strong written and verbal skills required.
Ability to promote health equity, inclusion, and diversity within the BPHC, department and community.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in the health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
Commitment to health equity and racal/social justice issues.
Preferred or Plus
Experience working with those experiencing mental health or substance use disorders preferred.
Experience working with diverse ethnic, racial, and low-income populations preferred.
Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking preferred
Strong communication skills required. Computer skills preferred