Client Safety Navigator - 815 Buena Vista

815 Buena Vista West residential is a dual-diagnosis, gender-inclusive withdrawal management and residential treatment program located next to Buena Vista Park in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district. It is a 108-bed trauma-informed program staffed by an interdisciplinary clinical team of substance abuse counselors and therapists working in coordination with medical and psychiatry services. 815 utilizes evidence-based curricula to provide group counseling, individual counseling, psychotherapy, and a community concept to care for some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable adults. Our goal is to serve clients in an environment where they feel supported and accepted so they can begin their recovery in a safe and peaceful setting.  
 

The Safety Navigator is responsible for ensuring and maintaining a safe environment for all clients, staff, and visitors, and utilizes verbal de-escalation strategies to address crisis situations and client behavioral issues. Ensure that the building space is safe and secure. The Safety Navigator will monitor entrances and exits, check clients in when returning from appointments, check visitors in, complete house runs and room checks, and help maintain overall safety of the program. The Safety Navigator will work with program leadership and health and safety teams to respond to emergency and crisis situations at the program, including client drug use, overdose, programmatic interruptions, and other situations.  
 

Open Shifts:

• Day Shifts
• Swing Shifts (3pm-11pm)
• Flex Shifts

Client Services: Stationed at the front desk, monitor entrances and exits, check clients in when returning from appointments, and check visitors in. Welcomes and assists clients when returning from appointments, ensuring that clients sign in and check any bags they may have for contraband. Welcome visitors, check visitors’ credentials, ensure visitors sign in and escort them to the supervisor on duty.  
 

Safety Responsibilities: Ensures and maintains a safe and orderly environment for clients, staff, and visitors. Directs and deflects traffic; de-escalates tense, high pressure, and emotionally charged situations; and fosters a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment. Maintains positive, respectful, non- confrontational behaviors at all times, even when observing, receiving, or de-escalating disrespectful or disorderly behaviors. Make regular rounds to monitor entrances, exits, offices, common areas, and building perimeter. Ensure a welcoming environment by clearing areas of crowds, debris, and out-of-place items. Work collaboratively with service providers and administrative staff to maintain an orderly environment. Carries Narcan on person at all times while on duty, utilizes nasal Narcan to reverse drug overdose when needed. 
 

Administrative and Documentation Responsibilities: Maintain client sign in/out log, visitors sign in/out logs. File incident reports as needed.  

• HS Diploma or GED required. 
• Ability to pass background check. 
• Works swing shift (3pm-11:30pm) and weekends. Works holidays as needed. 
• Familiarity with various supportive counseling strategies and wellness and recovery principles in working with clients with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring conditions, preferred. 
• Knowledge of San Francisco community behavioral health and public health systems. 
• At least 2-4 years of ‘lived experience’ with the community behavioral health system and/or criminal justice system. 
• Demonstrated ability to interface well with diverse, disadvantaged populations with multiple barriers to educational and vocational success, including low literacy, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, history of incarceration, and impaired cognitive functioning.  
• Proven ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, community organizations, and the broader community. 
• Understanding of social determinants of health and importance of whole person care.  
• Team orientation and able to independently assume responsibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, planning and time management skills. 
• High degree of creative energy and the ability to adapt easily to change. 
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet applications. 
• Willingness to work with clients in the community. 
• Ability to respond quickly and use good judgment in unusual and emergency situations. 
• Good attention to detail. 
• Energetic and enthusiastic.  
• Experience counseling or teaching adults and/or facilitating workshops. 

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.