Summer Intern, Blaine Center (3/23/18) Location: Blaine Center Job Code: 2018MAR23A # of Openings: 1 Description BLAINE CENTER SUMMER INTERN ABOUT THE POSITION: The Summer Intern is a current or graduating student who is interested in the opportunity to spend their summer learning more about social services, homeless shelters, and permanent affordable housing. They will support their assigned location by working on special projects with program services and/or property management. This Summer Intern will support program leadership and staff at the mens homeless shelter, Blaine Center. They will help with housing navigation/placement services in referral logistics and with the preparation of professional development workshops for shelter participants. ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Blaine Center Mens Shelter provides a safe, warm place to sleep for 60 homeless men. Guests are served dinner and breakfast, and have access to case management and support services. Blaine Center is a 24-hour shelter and day facility that provides guests access to housing-focused program services. Access is by in-person referral only, from partner organizations and our Client Services Office in Pioneer Square. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: Compass Housing Alliance develops and provides essential services and affordable housing for homeless and low-income people in the greater Puget Sound region. We envision a world in which every person lives in a safe and caring community. We are an organization that recognizes the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to the organization. To learn more about the agency visit www.compasshousingalliance.org . LOCATION: Blaine Center near Seattle Center REPORTS TO: Program Coordinator FLSA STATUS: Unpaid, Part-Time HOURS: 20 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks (approximately June-September) SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday days (flexible) ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. The employee in this position must be able to read, write, and understand English. Program Support Create a referral logistics spreadsheet to track referral source, client length of stay, average length of stay based on referral source, and calculate the percentage of positive exits from each referral source. Prepare documentation and develop templates for client files to be used as a universal portfolio for Housing Navigator use. Act as referral first point-of-contact for new admissions and conduct screening of potential new intakes. Assist Case Manager with on-site event support (Formatting, printing and organizing materials, proofreading and checking information, tracking workshop attendee list, etc.). Learn to write clear, objective, and accurate client file case notes of significant interactions, including stability plans, and all other required forms and paperwork including logs, records, reports, and statistics, as requested. Attend and participate in meetings and recording notes and follow-up items, as appropriate. Link participants with services intended to address significant barriers to housing stability such as mental health services, chemical dependency services, primary health services, employment and/or educational supports. Assist participants with obtaining resources necessary to apply for and move into housing such as application fees, security deposit, first month rent, furnishings, etc. Leadership Maintain a favorable working relationship with all other company employees to foster and promote a cooperative and harmonious working climate. Project a favorable image of the organization to promote its aims and objectives, and foster and enhance public recognition and acceptance of all its areas of endeavor. Perform all duties and responsibilities in a timely and effective manner in accordance with established company policies to achieve the overall objectives of this position. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Sensitive to and able to communicate and work effectively with individuals from diverse economic circumstances, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, physical and mental abilities, and sexual orientation. Excellent written and oral communication skills with ability to communicate effectively about technical problems and solutions. Strong problem solving, time and project management skills are required to be successful in this role. Ability and aptitude with technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in business environment including various databases, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, etc., and Internet technology. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE Current college student (undergraduate or graduate) in a social services related field, with the intent to pursue a career within a non-profit organization, required. Work and/or volunteer experience in a non-profit or social service organization, desired. Familiarity with issues of homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, sexual assault, and/or domestic violence, desired. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, type, and reach with hands and arms; and requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 20 pounds. Work takes place in a housing/shelter environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required. Mental efforts like attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement business plans, create and edit documents, listen and participate verbally at meetings. In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department via phone at 206-474-1100 or via e-mail at HRInfo@compasshousingalliance.org . WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is normal. Compass programs are housed within a human services environment in the Greater Seattle area. Our diverse tenant community includes many single, formerly homeless adults who lack any family support system. Compounding the constraints of poverty, our client community includes the physically and mentally disabled, persons living with AIDS, those who struggle with chemical dependencies, veterans, and vulnerable, elderly adults. Working at Compass will mean that you will be in close proximity to the people we serve. This position is not eligible for remote work, it requires onsite work only. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT Compass Housing Alliance is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and treats all employees and applicants equally without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, parental status, political ideology, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, use of section 8 certificate, use of service animal, and all other groups protected by law, and promotes diversity in its workforce. Compass Housing Alliance takes affirmative action to implement programs and maintain practices and policies that eliminate barriers to equal employment opportunity. Our program is available for review by employees and applicants for employment in the Human Resources Office during regular office hours.