Shelter Relief Staff

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Our Mission: Ending modern slavery through education, advocacy and empowering survivors of human trafficking.

About Us: The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) is a Los Angeles–based human rights organization that is working to put an end to modern slavery and human trafficking through comprehensive, transformative services to survivors and a platform to advocate for groundbreaking policies and legislation. Over the past two decades, Cast has supported thousands of survivors through every phase of their journey to freedom from counseling, to legal resources, to housing, educational and leadership training and mentorship. Through these programs, Cast has helped empower survivors to overcome their traumatic pasts and become leading voices in shaping policy and public awareness to ultimately put an end to the fastest growing criminal enterprise of the 21st century. Cast is the first nonprofit organization to receive the Presidential Award in Combatting Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in 2014.  

CAST has an immediate opening for a Shelter Relief Staff in our Mariposa Haven Shelter.

About the Shelter Relief Staff Position:

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Shelter Relief Staff position is in the Mariposa Haven House Shelter Program under the Empowerment Department. The Shelter Relief position provides resident supervision, client assistance, and house management for survivors of human trafficking and modern day slavery. In addition, this position will work closely with shelter staff to assist in program operations and support. This responsible position must maintain a high level of security and confidentiality required for this type of program. 

This part time, as well as, on call position requires thorough knowledge and understanding of human rights, and a strengths-based approach in serving clients. The person filling the Relief Staff position should be able to intervene effectively in resident crises and conflicts and maintain detailed records and documentation to ensure the smooth operation of the shelter. The candidate should also possess a high level of flexibility, maturity, and awareness of the dynamics within a shelter setting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Resident Supervision and Interaction: Provide support and assistance to shelter residents.

• Ensure that residents are adhering to shelter guidelines;

• Follow all shelter safety and confidentiality protocols and ensure residents do as well;

• Help to mediate any disputes and ensure shelter is a hospitable environment for all residents;

• Coordinate with Shelter Program Manager and Case Manager on client needs and requests;

• Be available to respond to client questions and needs;

• Ensure that residents have access to household and personal supplies;

• Work with residents to develop and improve life skills, language skills, computer skills, job readiness; and

• Help develop, facilitate and oversee house meetings, support groups, workshops, and social activities/events.

House Management: Oversee the daily operations of the shelter.

• Document any incidents, resident issues that arise throughout shift (and contact Shelter Program Manager or on call staff as needed);

• Report and manage any maintenance issues that may occur (in cooperation with Shelter Program Manager);

• Assist with inventory of supplies for the house and residents;

• Ensure communal chore assignments are being completed;

• Supervise on-site workshops that are facilitated by individual volunteers or groups; and

• Uphold policies and procedures that contribute to the safety and confidentiality of the CAST Shelter Program.

Crisis Intervention: Provide short-term intervention to help clients receive assistance, resources, stabilization and support.

• Assess and respond to client crises with a strengths-based, problem-solving approach;

• Contact Shelter Program Manager or on call staff member if immediate assistance is needed to stabilize a client; and

• Document all incidents and continue to monitor resident relations.

Conflict Resolution: Manage and diffuse conflict between residents as they occur and manage any safety concerns that may arise from conflicts.

• Assess and respond to conflict and offer a peaceful solution to disagreements;

• Contact Shelter Program Manager or on call staff members if immediate assistance is needed;

• Document all incidents and continue to monitor resident relations; and

• Communicate disputes and/or issues that require further intervention to Shelter Program Manager.

Hotline Services: Assist callers accessing CAST’s 24 Hour Hotline Service.

• Participate in answering the hotline during shelter shift;

• Assess callers to determine needs and provide referrals;

• Document hotline calls in database as per CAST procedures; and

• Participate in emergency response and hotline training updates as needed.

*Other duties in line with CAST Shelter Program needs, as needed and requested.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, or extensive experience and demonstrated skills and aptitude considered in lieu of education.

• Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Arabic, Amharic or SE Asian languages).

• Demonstrated sensitivity to and knowledge of issues involved in working with diverse populations and/or with individuals who have limited English proficiency.

• Experience working in a shelter program preferred.

• Ability to maintain a positive, cooperative, and professional demeanor with clients, partner organizations, volunteers/interns, staff/board, donors, consultants, and members of the public.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Must be organized, flexible, detail-oriented, and multi-tasking.

• Sincere commitment to working independently and responsibly. Must be a self-starter, able to work in a team environment and manage time effectively.

• A willingness and ability to learn about the complex issues of human trafficking and modern-day slavery and to abide by the mission and philosophy of CAST. Knowledge and understanding of immigrant and refugee rights and trafficking issues.

• Knowledge of and experience in supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution techniques. Ability and willingness to effectively intervene in and resolve resident disputes.

• Appreciation of sensitive confidentiality issues with demonstrated commitment to strengths-based, client-centered practice.

• CA driver’s license with access to insured car (Good driving record a must).

• Physical demands are typical for an office environment, including sitting, reaching, lifting, speaking, hearing, and seeing. Reasonable accommodations will be made.

Please email cover letter and resume to: rebecca@castla.org. You can also visit https://cast.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=24 to apply for this position. Due to the high volume of resumes received only qualified candidates will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. 

CAST encourages survivors of human trafficking to apply for all employment opportunities within CAST. For this position, the candidate must not have been a client of CAST’s Case Management Program within the last 2 years. 

The Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CAST complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

CAST expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of CAST’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.