DESC works to end the homelessness of vulnerable people, particularly those living with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Through partnerships and an integrated array of comprehensive services, treatment and housing, we give people the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
DESC is the largest multi-service agency serving homeless adults in the Pacific Northwest, reaching over 9,000 people annually with an array of state-licensed mental health and substance abuse treatment programs—including street outreach and engagement, crisis diversion and respite, case management, short-term and ongoing care, psychiatric assessment and treatment, supported employment, individual and group substance abuse counseling, 468 emergency shelter beds, and over 1,100 units of permanent supportive housing. DESC adheres to the Housing First philosophy, the belief that housing is a basic human right, not a reward for clinical success and once the chaos of homelessness is eliminated from a person's life, clinical and social stabilization occur faster and are more enduring.
DESC's innovative programs have earned recognition regionally and nationally. Every day at DESC we see what innovative clinical care and supportive housing can do: people who have been homeless for years regain their health, their dignity and their humanity. They reconnect with parents, children, brothers, sisters. They make friends, rediscover interests, and find work or other meaningful activity.
And when they recover their lives, the quality of life is improved for all of us. Our community becomes a better place in which to live and work.
The Front Desk Coverage role manages building operations, monitors security systems, and enforces project rules at a permanent supportive housing site.
Responsibilities include greeting visitors, assisting with medication distribution, maintaining common areas, and providing crisis intervention support.
What you need
Candidates should have a basic understanding of homelessness and the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
A bachelor's degree in social or behavioral science and residential property management experience are preferred.
Description
Days Off: Wednesday, Thursday
Shift: Swing (3:30pm - 12am)
Shift Differential: $0.50 per hour
Insurance Benefits: Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage), Dental, Life, Long-term Disability
Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan
Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.
About DESC:
Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.
DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs, 19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Clover Place is a DESC Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) site with 95 units of affordable housing in Seattle's Woodland neighborhood. This vital project provides stable, supportive housing and 24/7 on-site services for single adults living with disabilities and experiencing chronic homelessness. The community also features welcoming indoor and outdoor common spaces.
JOB DEFINITION:
The Front Desk Coverage role is for individuals with excellent customer service orientation. FD coverage assists with respectfully meeting and greeting internal and external providers and building staff in the coordination of services to residents including but not limited to: managing common spaces in the building, maintain safety and security by monitoring all general access areas and enforcing project rules, and supports the unit technician.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in shift briefs and read logs before the start of each shift daily
Providing milieu coverage support when needed
Distribute client medication and serve food on shift
Operate all functions in lobby office, including checking visitors in and out, answering telephones and monitoring security systems
Create a healthy and welcoming environment for residents which includes maintaining the general cleanliness of grounds and common areas in adherence to project rules and regulations
Conduct regular outside perimeter walk-throughs and trash/debris pick up when on shift. Enforcing good neighbor policy by ensuring individuals are not loitering outside of the building and on the property premises.
Greet emergency responders
Check in tenant visitors and ensure guests adhere to visitor policy and procedures.
Work cooperatively with clinical and maintenance staff sited at the project and with visiting providers; refer residents to clinical and other relevant programming as necessary
Write significant events involving residents and building operations activities in a daily log.
Manage all building operations in the absence of other project and clinical staff as assigned
Proactively intervene in crises using de-escalation skills, respond to emergencies, and initiate action as required, including contact and collaborating with emergency response systems
Assist with other property management functions as assigned
Assist with medication distribution
Initiate appropriate response to maintenance requests
Write significant events involving residents and building operations activities in a daily log; read log daily
Participate in staff meetings and all required staff trainings
Assist with maintaining a hygienic living environment including but not limited to participating with in unit prep for pest inspections, and trash room clean up while on shift
Assist with other property management functions as assigned
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Basic understanding of homelessness and various characteristics of homeless adult population.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
Subscription to philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
BA degree in social or behavioral science.
Residential property management experience.
Experience with the challenges of mental illness and substance use.
Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, which requires a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees, required to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds and to operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
