Engagement Specialist

If you are passionate about working with families and making a meaningful impact, we invite you to consider joining our team. House of Refuge is a transitional housing program serving families experiencing homelessness as they work toward self-sufficiency. We are seeking an energetic Engagement Specialist to engage, support, and empower families on their path toward successful program completion and long-term stability.

Position Title:

Engagement Specialist Status:

Hourly, part-time (less than 30 hours per week).

Job Relationship Supervised by:

Chief Programs Officer Supervises:

None Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Chief Programs Officer, the Engagement Specialist takes an active role in creating and maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive community environment for families at House of Refuge. This role is crucial for promoting a positive program culture by reinforcing program expectations, encouraging accountability, and supporting resident engagement in program services. In order to foster a supportive environment for families, and promote trust and partnership, this position may be referred to on-site as Family Support Staff. The Engagement Specialist serves as a consistent presence around the property to support residents in navigating daily challenges and connecting families to appropriate internal services such as case management, workforce development, donation center, and children's programming. This position plays a critical role in supporting residents' increased participation in program services and contributing to successful program completion.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Maintains an active and consistent visible presence throughout the property to foster a welcoming environment, build rapport with residents, and encourage participation in required program services and activities such as case management meetings, workforce development activities, groups, classes, and program events. 2. Effectively supports clients by answering questions, providing information about program services and expectations, encouraging a positive sense of community, and utilizing conflict resolution techniques to support a safe and respectful community setting. Provides support to residents during program entry, and as residents prepare to transition out of the program. 3. Conducts routine outreach to residents who are not actively participating in services to support re-engagement by contacting residents via phone or in-person. Identifies barriers that may impact participation and collaborates with Case Management and appropriate Family Services staff to ensure residents receive timely and appropriate support. 4. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of resident interactions and outreach efforts in accordance with the established documentation guidelines. Performs general clerical duties such as collecting data, responding to emails, and assisting with the distribution of timely materials to residents. 5. Actively participates in all required meetings and extracurricular activities, collaborates with staff to support client engagement, and supports a variety of tasks and activities for the smooth functioning of the Family Services daily operations. As needed, serves as backup for monthly housing inspections, and as a supportive presence for conversations with residents. 6. Practices effective use of resources while ensuring the best use of House of Refuge budget. Performs general upkeep of the Family Services building by organizing common spaces such as lobby, birthday closet, and career closet, ensures all resource materials are up to date, and completes work orders as needed. 7. Demonstrates enthusiasm, fosters, and maintains an atmosphere of interest in all phases of work. Serves as a positive role model to all residents, promotes open communication, and contributes to an environment of trust and mutual respect. Provides services in a caring manner, and addresses concerns to ensure accountability and continued program partnership. 8. As part of a professional social service delivery team, consistently demonstrates knowledge of all House of Refuge programs, policies, procedures, and national best practices for transitional housing. Demonstrates dependability and adaptability in a changing work environment by effectively planning, organizing, and prioritizing work activities. Maintains resident and staff confidentiality and consistently demonstrates appropriate professional boundaries.

Qualifications and Experience :

High School Diploma or GED required, associate or bachelor's degree in social work, human services, or related field preferred. A minimum of one (1) years' experience in a social service, or experience navigating community resources, social service systems, or structured residential setting is preferred, whether gained through professional or personal experience. Knowledge of trauma-informed care and conflict resolution techniques. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate cultural sensitivity. Must agree to, and successfully pass, a State of Arizona Department of Public Safety fingerprint clearance. Must agree to and successfully pass a criminal background check.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Effective computer skills, verbal, and written communication skills to interact effectively with a diverse population, co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, and volunteers. Recognizes, values, and contributes to an environment of trust and mutual respect. Contributes to a culture of performance, teamwork, collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement. Strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills. Confident, dedicated, professional self-starter, and creative problem solver with a strong commitment to being an integral part of a hands-on team. Ability to work independently with a keen sense of focus, non-judgmental, clear sense of boundaries, excellent customer service, and time management skills. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Sits, stands, walks, runs, reaches, stops, bends, lifts, carries, manipulates various objects. Position requires moving around the House of Refuge and between buildings, including spending time outside. Required to adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and assist residents in adhering to the Arizona Landlord Tenant Act.

Hours:

Must be willing to work flexible hours and days. This is a part-time position with a maximum of 29 hours per week. Routine schedules are the following.

Schedule A:

Monday•Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Schedule B:

Tuesday•Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Schedule C:

Wednesday•Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Salary:

$19 per hour.

Pay:

$19.00 per hour

Work Location:

In person