Safety Advocate

Description

Reports to: Safety Manager 

Department: Operations 

Location: City Care facilities in Oklahoma City, based on operational needs 

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt 

Shift: Weekdays and rotating weekends overnight 2:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. 

Position Summary 

City Care exists to do the work few others are willing to do. We believe in the intrinsic value of every person. 

It is with love and compassion that we walk alongside neighbors who are often overlooked in our community. We provide food for the hungry, relief for the hurting, and hold space for complete restoration of lives that have gotten off course. With enough endurance, we witness, firsthand, remarkable stories of transformation. 

Still reading? Great! Now more about the position. 

The Safety Advocate helps create and maintain a safe, welcoming environment for neighbors, team members and visitors across City Care facilities. Through proactive engagement, relationship-building, de-escalation and appropriate emergency response, Safety Advocates help prevent and address safety concerns while treating every person with dignity and compassion. 

Safety Advocates are often among the first to recognize when someone needs support or when a situation may be escalating. This position requires sound judgment, a calm presence and a commitment to maintaining safety while building trust and positive relationships with the people we serve. 

Key Responsibilities 

Neighbor Engagement & De-escalation 

• Build positive, respectful relationships with neighbors, guests, residents and team members to foster a sense of safety and trust. 

• Maintain a visible, approachable presence throughout assigned facilities and surrounding areas. 

• Proactively engage with individuals to identify concerns, offer support and help prevent situations from escalating. 

• Use trauma-informed practices, active listening and de-escalation techniques when responding to conflict or challenging situations. 

• Work alongside shelter and housing teams to identify appropriate responses to recurring safety concerns or individuals needing additional support. 

• Maintain professional boundaries while treating every person with dignity and compassion. 

Safety & Facility Monitoring 

• Regularly monitor entrances, exits, common areas and exterior spaces to identify and address potential safety concerns. 

• Conduct routine walkthroughs and safety checks in accordance with established procedures. 

• Monitor access to facilities and ensure entrances, exits, doors and gates are appropriately secured. 

• Conduct regular checks of vacant housing units to identify unauthorized occupancy, potential safety concerns or property damage, and report concerns in accordance with established procedures. 

• Identify and promptly report unsafe conditions, maintenance concerns or other potential hazards. 

• Support consistent application of City Care policies and procedures, including visitor management, access control, bag checks and screening protocols. 

• Address policy violations and unsafe behaviors using appropriate intervention, de-escalation and established procedures. 

Incident & Emergency Response 

• Respond promptly to safety concerns, disturbances, emergencies and other incidents in accordance with established protocols. 

• Assist with behavioral health crises, suspected overdoses and other emergencies within the scope of training and established procedures. 

• Support emergency evacuations, shelter-in-place procedures and other emergency preparedness activities. 

• Coordinate with emergency responders when necessary and communicate relevant information to appropriate team members. 

• Use sound judgment to assess situations, prioritize immediate safety needs and request additional support when appropriate. 

• Complete accurate, timely incident reports and notify the Safety Manager of significant incidents or concerns in accordance with established reporting procedures. 

Collaboration & Communication 

• Work closely with shelter, housing, facilities and other City Care teams to maintain safe and supportive environments. 

• Communicate safety concerns, recurring issues and relevant observations to the Safety Manager and appropriate team members. 

• Participate in team meetings, safety briefings and required trainings. 

• Support consistent application of City Care policies and procedures across assigned locations. 

• Contribute to a positive, collaborative work environment where team members feel supported and informed. 

Documentation & Accountability 

• Maintain accurate activity logs, incident reports and other required safety documentation. 

• Complete assigned walkthroughs, inspections and safety-related tasks in a timely manner. 

• Follow established procedures for reporting incidents, hazards and equipment concerns. 

• Maintain required certifications and participate in ongoing training related to safety, crisis response and emergency preparedness. 

• Demonstrate reliable attendance, professionalism and accountability in carrying out assigned responsibilities. 

Requirements

Skills & Experience 

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 

• Previous experience in safety, security, shelter services, behavioral health, crisis response or a related field preferred. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build trust with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. 

• Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment and respond appropriately in stressful or unpredictable situations. 

• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, trauma-informed care, de-escalation and person-centered approaches to safety. 

• Strong observational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to recognize potential safety concerns before they escalate. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with team members across departments and roles. 

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and handle sensitive information with discretion. 

• Basic computer skills and ability to accurately complete electronic reports and documentation. 

• Ability to use safety equipment, communication devices and monitoring systems as required. 

• Ability to work assigned shifts, including evenings, overnight hours, weekends and holidays. 

• Ability to stand, walk, conduct facility rounds and respond to emergencies throughout assigned shifts, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

• Ability to meet applicable background screening requirements. 

• Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications and training, including Mental Health First Aid, CPR/First Aid and overdose response training, within established timelines. 

• Ability to obtain and maintain any applicable CLEET certification or licensure required for the position, subject to confirmation of role-specific requirements. 

What Success Looks Like 

• Neighbors, team members and visitors experience City Care facilities as safe, welcoming and respectful environments. 

• Safety concerns are recognized early and addressed through proactive engagement, de-escalation and appropriate intervention. 

• Incidents and emergencies are handled calmly, consistently and in accordance with established procedures. 

• Incident reports, activity logs and other required documentation are accurate and completed on time. 

• Assigned walkthroughs, safety checks and other responsibilities are completed consistently. 

• Required training and certifications are maintained, and safety concerns are communicated promptly to the appropriate team members. 

• Safety Advocates contribute to a collaborative environment where safety, dignity and compassion guide daily interactions. 

Salary: $21.50/ hr

City Care lists the exact pay rate for each position as part of our commitment to transparency and equity. The rate listed on this job posting is the highest rate we are able to offer for this role and is not negotiable. Our salary bands are benchmarked to the 75th percentile for comparable roles in the nonprofit sector using data from the Oklahoma Nonprofit Compensation Report and are reviewed every two years using updated sector compensation data to ensure City Care remains competitive while maintaining equitable pay practices across our team. Please apply only if the listed pay rate works for you.