Life Skills Instructor

(5% pay differential for fluent Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, or Dari bilingual language skills)

General Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Director of Homeless and Family Support Services, the Life Skills Instructor provides education, coaching, and hands-on support to shelter residents, helping them to develop the practical skills necessary to achieve greater stability, self-sufficiency, and successful transition to permanent housing. The Life Skills Instructor facilitates individual, and group activities focused on daily living, household management, budgeting, employment readiness, communication, problem-solving, goal setting, and other skills that promote independent living.

General Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or one-year related experience. The ideal candidate is patient, compassionate, dependable, and able to establish respectful relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Completion of Agency Training within 6 months of employment (if not before).

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

I. DIRECT SERVICE –
A. Develop and facilitate engaging life skills workshops and activities based on resident needs and program goals.
B. Provide practical instruction in areas such as:
a) Budgeting and money management
b) Banking and financial literacy
c) Meal planning, grocery shopping, and basic nutrition
d) Cooking and food safety
e) Household organization and cleaning
f) Laundry and basic household maintenance
g) Personal organization and time management
h) Communication and interpersonal skills
i) Conflict resolution and problem-solving
j) Goal setting and decision-making
k) Independent living skills
l) Community resources and navigating public services
m) Employment readiness and workplace expectations
n) Computer, email, and basic technology skills

C. Offer hands-on instruction and demonstrations when appropriate.

D. Adapt instruction to accommodate different learning styles, educational backgrounds, abilities, and levels of independence.

E. Collaborate with Case Managers and shelter staff regarding resident progress, challenges, and areas requiring additional support.

F. Provide case management to shelter residents when needed.

G. Maintain inventory of all shelter supplies and submit check requests when necessary.

II. SHELTER OPERATIONS
A. Support the overall safety, cleanliness, and orderly operation of the shelter.
B. Screen and interview potential residents and processes intakes. Make referrals as needed. Work within the Coordinated Entry System protocols to intake clients into shelter.

C. Comply with the terms of the Homeless Services contracts; work with staff and community partners to coordinate services for clients and their children.
D. Maintain accurate records of services provided to clients in the confidential database and produce monthly reports and statistics.
E. Follow established emergency, crisis response, mandated reporting, and incident reporting procedures, including elder abuse reporting, CPS reporting, 5150 laws and suicide assessment.
F. Record client interactions, events etc. in daily log regularly to keep information up to date.
G. Assist with the crisis line, provide sexual assault advocacy, serve as back up staff once a quarter as directed by supervisor.
H. Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and client /staff safety.
I. De-escalate client crisis situations, model and reinforce appropriate community living expectations.
J. Reinforce boundaries in interactions with staff and clients.

III. GENERAL TASKS -
A. Attend staff meetings and Board/Staff meetings as needed.
B. Participate in community fundraising and special events as required.
C. Must have an insured automobile to utilize as necessary for agency-related business including emergency transportation of clients.
D. Must maintain a good Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) to be able to drive for the agency.

IV. OTHER TASKS AS ASSIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOMELESS AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES AND/OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITHIN THE SCOPE OF TRI-VALLEY HAVEN’S MISSION.

V. ADA ESSENTIAL TASKS
a. Working alone, in high stress and emergency situations
b. Working rotating schedule, occasional evening/weekend, or holiday work based on program needs.
c. Good reading and distance vision
d. Sitting, bending, stooping, standing for extended periods
e. Good communication skills
f. Learning ability
g. Ability to speak clearly and discriminate speech
h. Reasoning and thinking skills
i. Ability to solve problems
j. Crisis Intervention/deescalation
k. Carrying 10 to 20 pounds
l. Ascending/Descending stairs

Tri Valley Haven's Value Proposition
In addition to offering meaningful work, job stability and competitive compensation, eligible employees receive:
1. Excellent health benefits (Kaiser/HealthNet Platinum and Gold Plans).
2. Employee dental and vision benefits, 100% agency paid.
3. Free life insurance coverage, $20,000.
4. Generous vacation and sick time accruals.
5. Two floating holidays and 15 paid holidays.
6. Retirement Plan, plus match.
7. Employee Assistance Program.
8. Flexible Spending Account.

Tri Valley Haven is an Equal Opportunity Employer; there shall be no discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity or sexual orientation. Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.