The Chief Seattle Club is a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit organization and the only Native-led housing and human services agency that serves Seattle’s urban Native chronic homeless community. With shelters and permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs, we address single-adult chronic homelessness at all stages to ensure our American Indian and Alaskan Native people are safe, healthy, housed, and connected to community that respects and celebrates Native cultures.
We operate five permanent supportive housing (PSH) facilities and two tiny house villages (shelters) throughout King County. At the heart of our work in the Pioneer Square District of downtown Seattle, our Day Center shelter creates a supportive community for our members while providing hot meals, housing assistance, access to health services, and cultural activities.
While Native people make up less than 2% of Seattle’s population, they represent 15% overall and 32% of chronic homelessness. This is disproportionate because of centuries of U.S. policies, like the Termination Act and Indian Relocation Act, that intentionally separated Native families, broke cultural ties, and forced many Native people into Seattle without any culturally grounded support systems. Attempted genocide, land theft, and policies to strip our Native people of their culture and heritage has created generations of trauma and systemic inequality that exist today. At Chief Seattle Club, we focus on nurturing and strengthening the spirit of our urban Native people with our community-led, culturally grounded housing and human services.
The Support Assistant facilitates a safe and healthy community for residents by providing wrap-around support services and monitoring building operations.
They also assist case managers, maintain property safety, and ensure compliance with program policies.
What you need
Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and at least one year of experience working with at-risk populations.
Strong communication, crisis intervention, and computer skills are required, along with a deep understanding of historical trauma in Indigenous communities.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Support Assistant Location(s): Goldfinch Apartments
Reports to: Program Manager Salary Range: Starting at $22.90 - $27.84 per hour
Status: ☒ Full Time ☐Part Time ☒Regular ☐Temporary FLSA: ☐Exempt ☒Non-Exempt
Job Summary:
Chief Seattle Club provides permanent, affordable, and supportive housing to residents (primarily Native American/Alaska Native) at our housing projects: ?ál?al, Goldfinch Elders' Housing, Salmonberry Lofts Sweet Grass Flats, and Sacred Medicine House. Along with housing comes wrap-around support services to help residents live healthy and sustainable lives.
The Support Assistant works with the Case Managers and residents on supporting life at our housing sites, which includes culturally adaptive wrap-around services.
Goals and objectives are established and evaluated by the Program Manager, Residential Services Director, and Program Director. Changes to the job description may happen at any time according to the needs of the organization. These positions require on-site work.
Duties/Responsibilities:
The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
* Facilitate safe and healthy community every day by getting to know member residents and supporting positive socialization with other residents and staff.
* Conduct yourself at all times with utmost respect and attention to trauma-informed care.
* Monitor cameras to ensure safety of building.
* Conduct daily building inspections of each floor. Report any damage to artwork, carpets, windows, walls, doors and bike room, trash rooms, and laundry rooms.
* Befriend residents and have all guests/visitors sign in.
* Ensure ongoing operations of the site, including chores, general grounds care, scheduling, and safety procedures.
* Maintain an inventory of janitorial and maintenance supplies. Communicate supply needs to the appropriate chain of command.
* Conduct daily inspections of property and arrange needed maintenance and repairs. Track completion of these responsibilities on the appropriate forms.
* Attend special community events and staff meetings.
* Sort and organize incoming donations.
* Supervise resident activities at the site and maintain daily resident logs.
* Aid case managers and/or Housing Stability Specialists/Case Managers.
* Enforce policies and procedures, adhering to program and CSC guidelines.
* Assist with office support services.
* Ensure completion of daily chores and weekly cleaning tasks around the office.
* Provide instruction to residents when necessary and answer any resident questions.
* Issue and enforce consequences when necessary for non-compliant residents.
* Support resident safety by responding appropriately to emergencies, reporting hazards or incidents promptly, and modeling safe practices in alignment with agency policies and trauma-informed care principles. Completion of all safety-related trainings. May be asked to participate in safety meetings.
* Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Proven Experience
* Excellent communication skills
* Comfortable with computers and teaching others to use computers.
* Ability to handle complaints/conflicts in a calm and professional manner.
* Experience working with homeless and/or low-income populations is preferred.
* Must have a strong understanding of historical and intergenerational trauma among Indigenous communities.
* Strong crisis intervention skills with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks under stressful conditions.
* Great customer service skills.
Other Considerations:
* CPR & AED first aid certification
* Formal professional de-escalation training
* Experience working with Native American populations and/or a strong awareness of Native Cultures.
Education and Experience:
* GED or High School diploma
* Highly organized, flexible, independent, culturally sensitive, and detail-oriented with the ability to multitask.
* Proficient in MS Office 365
* Must possess great oral and written skills
* High degree of discretion and excellent judgment
* One year working in high-risk/at-risk populations but any experience with at-risk/vulnerable populations is a plus.
Physical Requirements:
* Most positions at CSC are exposed to members of the community who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to: domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc. As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients. Mental health care referrals for employees are available.
* Lifting, stretching, pulling, and pushing up to 60 lbs.
* Continuous standing, walking, and sitting.
Benefits Summary:
Full-time employee benefits package includes:
* Medical, Dental, Vision, and an Employee Assistance Program
* Public Transportation (ORCA) pass
* 401(k) Retirement Plan
* Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, and Night Shift Differential
* Transparent Pay Schedule
* Internal Hiring and Encouraged Advancement
Equal Employment Opportunity
Chief Seattle Club is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs. It is Chief Seattle Club’s policy not to discriminate against employees and applicants based on race, color, citizenship, status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law, with respect to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion and other terms and conditions of employment. All employment decisions shall be consistent with the principle of Equal Employment Opportunity. Chief Seattle Club is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.
