Job Description
Job Description
Job Description
Location: Downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row
Position Purpose: Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Care Team Specialist plays a critical role on the multidisciplinary care team, fostering safety, engagement, and trust among residents. This position is responsible for building meaningful relationships with residents, supporting their daily needs, and ensuring a calm, respectful environment aligned with harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles. The Care Team Specialist also serves as a first point of response for behavioral concerns or conflicts, utilizing de-escalation techniques to address crises and maintain a secure environment for all. By maintaining a consistent presence in common areas and monitoring facility safety, the specialist helps create a welcoming, stable space where residents can heal and thrive.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Build and maintain rapport with residents to promote engagement, community connection, and emotional safety.
- Apply harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles in all resident interactions.
- Monitor common areas, resident rooms, and the facility perimeter to ensure safety and program compliance.
- Provide de-escalation and crisis intervention support using nonviolent, person-centered techniques.
- Maintain accurate front desk logs, including participant and visitor sign-ins/outs.
- Conduct room checks and belongings searches as required to uphold program safety standards.
- Act as floor lead during emergency events such as fire drills, evacuations, or behavioral incidents.
- Document daily observations, incidents, safety concerns, and communication with residents in detailed, professional reports.
- Support participant intake and orientation to the program.
- Serve as a liaison between residents and case management, nursing, behavioral health, and other care team members.
- Assist with connecting residents to internal and external supportive services.
- Proactively address resident concerns using empathy, patience, and solution-focused approaches.
- Ensure facility spaces remain clean, organized, and welcoming to all participants.
- Collaborate with law enforcement, EMTs, mental health crisis teams, and harm reduction professionals when necessary.
- Maintain participant confidentiality and comply with all relevant policies and procedures.
- Demonstrate AIDET communication principles (Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explanation, Thank You) in all resident and team interactions.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Physical Demands:
- Stand or walk constantly (for up to an entire shift) on various surfaces (tile, concrete, carpet). Climb stairs, ramps, or ladders occasionally during shift.
- Must be able to kneel, squat, bend for any duration of time and run if needed.
- Occasionally bend/twist at waist/knees/neck to perform various duties, including lift or carry up to 80 lbs.
- Constant use of hands, arms and fingers in reaching/handling/grasping while using radio, phone, notepad, writing reports and other administrative tasks.
Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED required.
- Prior experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or in similar low-barrier, high-needs environments.
- Strong communication and de-escalation skills; ability to manage crisis situations calmly and effectively.
- Comfortable working with individuals actively using substances, utilizing a nonjudgmental and supportive approach.
- Familiarity with non-traditional care settings (e.g., drop-in centers, outdoor spaces) preferred.
- Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and Housing First models.
- Basic proficiency in email, data entry, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).
- Flexible schedule availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
*All JWCH, Wesley Health Centers workforce are recommended to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
Employee Benefits:
At JWCH Institute, Inc., we believe in taking care of those who take care of others. If you work 30+ hours per week, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and a robust benefits package that includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Monthly employer-sponsored allowance for assistance with health premiums.
- Funded Health Savings Account (up to deductible) to assist with carrier-approved medical expenses.
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave) and 13 paid holidays.
- 401(k) Safe Harbor Profit Sharing plan.
- Mileage reimbursement.
- Short- and long-term disability plans (LTD/STD).
- Life insurance policy & AD&D, and more!
Become part of a team where your work matters. Apply today and help us change lives, one patient at a time.
JWCH Institute, Inc + Wesley Health Centers is an Equal Opportunity and Fair Chance Employer .
Graveyard: 11PM-8AM
Job Tags
Temporary work, Work at office, Flexible hours, Shift work, Afternoon shift,