Safety Associate- Fort Lyon

Coalition Mission The mission of The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well being and stability of those it serves. Our Philosophy of Service We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and healthcare. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and healthcare are available to everyone. We create lasting solutions to homelessness by: 1. Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities and fostering their hope that a better life is possible; 2. Building strong, caring communities through the integration of housing, healthcare and supportive services; 3. Advocating for social equity and challenging the status quo on behalf of the individuals and families we serve; 4. Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation and professional development; and 5. Using resources judiciously and effectively. Job Summary Ft. Lyon is designed to provide effective and comprehensive services to those who are homeless at at-risk of homelessness in an effort to end their cycle of homelessness and promote health, wellbeing and active citizenship. These supports include direct access to housing with enhanced services including education, vocation and job training opportunities, co-occurring behavior health and primary healthcare, acquisition of income, benefits and entitlements. The program staff works as a team to ensure a continuity of care. Provides and supervises safety and security of staff, consumers and Coalition property, specifically at the Fort Lyon location. Essential Job Functions 1. Conducts regularly scheduled inspections of designated Fort Lyon Program and Residential worksites to promote a safe environment. 2. Assists other Fort Lyon staff in assessing potentially dangerous situations and intervenes to prevent situations from escalating into violence. 3. Escorts staff to their cars and other appropriate locations, as needed, to ensure safety. 4. Develops and monitors compliance with safety procedures. 5. Maintains availability to assist staff in crises that may require physical interventions. 6. Contacts and assists (if appropriate or requested) law enforcement agencies and emergency health care services as required and/or requested. 7. Completes an incident report of every event in which physical action is taken in response to a consumer or staff incident. 8. Acts as the primary contact for the intrusion alarms company. 9. Provides training to new staff on safety issues. 10. Ensures that the intrusion alarms are activated and properly working. 11. Maintains a work environment that is marked by respect for others; that values inclusiveness and builds workforce diversity; and that fosters cooperation and teamwork. 12. Performs other duties as assigned by management. 13. Flexible work schedule including overnight shifts. Education and Work Experience 1. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. 2. Three years security experience. 3. Supervisory experience preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Knowledge, experience, competence and sensitivity to working with homeless and disadvantaged persons. 2. Skill in oral and written communications. 3. Skill in intervention techniques to de-escalate potentially disruptive/dangerous situations. 4. Skill in proactively identifying areas of high risk and in developing strategies that will minimize or eliminate those risks. 5. Able to assess potentially disruptive and/or dangerous situations and to take appropriate actions in a manner that will promote a safe environment. 6. Able to function effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary staff and to function effectively with other agencies. Physical Requirements [Place an “X” in the corresponding box below for all categories.] Percentage of work time spent on activity → 0% - 24% 25% to 49% 50% to 74% 75% to 100% SEEING: Must be able to read computer screens and printed documents. X HEARING: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and others. X STANDING/WALKING X CLIMBING/STOOPING/KNEELING X LIFTING/PULLING/PUSHING X FINGERING/GRASPING/FEELING: Must be able to write, type and use telephones. X Working Conditions Works primarily in a climate controlled office environment with frequent interpersonal interactions. This job description is intended to describe the general nature of work performed. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for employees performing this job. Furthermore, this job description does not establish a contract of employment. The Coalition may change job descriptions at any time, with or without notice, as service needs require. Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is committed to delivering services, making employment-related decisions, selecting volunteers and selecting vendors without regard to age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, military status or any other applicable status protected by law.



Job Summary
The Safety Associate I is responsible for ensuring the safety of clients, staff, vendors, volunteers, and other visitors of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless at assigned locations.
The safety function at the Coalition is not an extension of a law enforcement agency and should not act as such. While cooperation with such agencies is encouraged, Coalition safety associates are not empowered to detain persons unless an illegal act has occurred on Coalition property. The safety function is not a transportation/escort service for other agencies and safety staff should not use Coalition vehicles for such transportation.
Essential Job Functions
Employee must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The essential job duties listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.


Continually inspects Coalition assigned sites to promote a safe environment.
Assists other Coalition staff in assessing potentially dangerous situations; intervenes to prevent situations from escalating into violence.
Escorts employees as needed to ensure staff protection.
Monitors compliance with safety procedures.
Assists staff in crises that may require physical interventions.
Contacts and assists law enforcement agencies and emergency health care personnel as requested or required.
Completes occurrence reports for every event in which physical activity is taken in response to a consumer or staff situation.
Maintains a work environment that is marked by respect for others, that values inclusiveness, builds workforce diversity, and that fosters cooperation and teamwork.
Participates in and demonstrates ongoing understanding/integration of all relevant training.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Work Experience


High school diploma or equivalent required.
Must possess the ability to communicate and interact positively with others who are in a time of need.
Experience working in a high-volume environment preferred.
Experience working with the homeless population or experience in a related direct human services field working with underserved population preferred.
Gain/Maintain CPR/First Aid Certification within 90 days of employment.
Experience as an EMT, Firefighter or First Responder preferred.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities


Sound critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Excellent customer service skills; sound interpersonal/assertive communications skills demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence.
Knowledge of homeless issues and demonstrated sensitivity to underserved populations.
Ability to assess potentially disruptive and/or dangerous situations and take appropriate action that promotes a safe environment.
Able to listen effectively, synthesize and analyze information and respond creatively to challenging issues.
Skill in de-escalation intervention techniques.
Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Skill in proactively identifying high-risk areas; able to develop strategies to minimize or eliminate high-risk areas.
Skill in operating office equipment, including computers (including e-mail), software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel) and telephones.
Able to maintain client confidentiality.
Able to demonstrate a sincere desire to help people.
Ability to pass criminal background and automobile insurance carrier’s motor vehicle record investigations.
Able to prioritize multiple job responsibilities and exercise good professional judgment.


Physical Requirements




Percentage of work time spent on activity →


0% - 24%


25% to 49%


50% to 74%


75% to 100%




SEEING: Must be able to read computer screens and printed documents.











X




HEARING: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with employees and others.











X




STANDING/WALKING











X




CLIMBING/STOOPING/KNEELING











X




LIFTING/PULLING/PUSHING











X




FINGERING/GRASPING/FEELING: Must be able to write, type and use telephones.











X




Working Conditions
Works primarily in a climate controlled office environment with frequent interpersonal interactions. May escort clients or have professional meetings in environments which are not climate controlled. Also works outside of the office in homeless camps.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature of work performed. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for employees performing this job. Furthermore, this job description does not establish a contract of employment. The Coalition may change job descriptions at any time, with or without notice, as service needs require.
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is committed to delivering services, making employment-related decisions, selecting volunteers and selecting vendors without regard to age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, health condition related to pregnancy, military status or any other applicable status protected by law.