Community Safety & Hospitality Ambassador

Position
Community Safety & Hospitality Ambassador

Reporting Relationship
Community Safety & Hospitality Supervisor

Status
Full time, Non-Exempt, 40 hours per week

Overview
The DSA/MID Ambassador teams play a vital role in living our organization’s mission: to create a healthy, vibrant downtown for all. All Ambassadors are stewards of the public realm and help to make it an inviting and welcoming place for all. All Ambassador teams work with the following priority framework focusing on the “three Cs”: Clean, Clear and Cared for. This means that all employees strive to maintain a visually appealing and safe environment for all by resolving clutter and disarray and caring for all people in the public realm in a friendly and positive manner. The downtown public realm should be high quality and consistent, demonstrated through attentive oversight of the details in the public realm space and genuine care and concern for the people in the space.

Duties and Responsibilities
The role of the Downtown Community Safety & Hospitality Ambassador requires a unique combination of skills. Ambassadors must demonstrate strong communication, de-escalation and conflict resolution skills, a caring and compassionate approach to their work, and a customer service focus. During a shift, Ambassadors will engage with a wide range of situations, to include providing support for individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health issues, educating people regarding civility ordinances, interacting with business owners and residents, assisting with public amenities and assisting tourists who need directions.

  • Patrol on bicycle a designated zone of the downtown core and provide a variety of support services to members of the public.
  • Acting with respect and dignity, approach and wake people who are sleeping in business doorways or in the public right-of-way.
  • Build relationships with people experiencing homelessness to check on their wellbeing and assist in connecting them with services.
  • Use courtesy, tact, and good judgement in working with members of the public.
  • When it is safe to do so, approach people engaging in specific civility ordinance violations, assess and inform them of the violation, and encourage voluntary observance of the ordinances when appropriate.
  • Provide directions, maps, handouts and information to tourists, visitors, residents, and local businesses. Act as a concierge in public right-of-way and in DSA-managed parks and public spaces.
  • Provide support for events, activations, and other activities, which could include setting up and tearing down chairs, barricades, staging, tables, other furnishings and equipment, as well as event staffing.
  • Build relationships with downtown businesses to share information and assist with problem-solving.
  • Address items of physical public disorder like fallen scooters, misplaced signs, and large debris, or work with Clean Team to address in a timely manner.
  • Utilize computer and hand-held mobile device to collect data and track daily work activities in the public right-of-way and DSA-managed parks and public spaces.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Represent MID/DSA at special events in a positive and professional manner.

Qualifications

  • Self-motivated, energetic learner and leader with a good sense of humor.
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with groups and the public.
  • Ability to follow instructions.
  • Required to maintain a clean and neat appearance.
  • Knowledge of downtown Seattle and its community a plus.
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
  • Able to work outdoors, in all weather, in an urban environment
  • Able to work ten hour or eight-hour shifts (schedules vary by season)
  • Bike riding skills: Ride a bicycle for full work shifts outdoors in all weather. *Must pass a bicycle riding assessment with an emphasis on low riding speeds.
  • Knowledge of (and willingness to learn) how to interact with people affected by mental health and substance abuse issues.
  • Time management skills and self-discipline to work independently and remain on task without constant supervision.
  • Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills. English required; additional language proficiencies a plus.
  • Strong ability to work and interact with the public and diverse audiences.
  • Collaborative mindset to work as part of a team, toward achievement of shared goals.
  • Customer service focus; previous experience preferred but not required.
  • Ability to problem solve, exercise judgement, and make sound decisions.
  • Level-headed demeanor and a demonstrated ability to remain calm under pressure in an often fast-paced and changing environment.
  • Access to a working cell phone.

Characteristics:

  • Reflect the Downtown Seattle Association’s core values of Collaboration, Perseverance, Innovation, Excellence and Integrity
  • Commitment to a growth mindset and a collaborative workplace
  • Humility, sense of humor, comfort with ambiguity
  • Ability to adapt to evolving and shifting priorities

Compensation:

DSA is committed to internal and market equity. The entry rate for this position is $20 per hour.

We also provide:

  • Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage*
  • PTO/Personal Holidays
  • Paid FMLA*
  • Life Insurance*
  • LTD*
  • ORCA Card*
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Employer-Matched 401(k) Contribution with up to 5% Match
  • First Choice EAP*
  • Corporate Discounts
  • Generous paid time off
  • Nine paid holidays

*Employer-paid benefit

The Downtown Seattle Association is proud to step up for safety by requiring COVID-19 vaccination of all team members. We’re prioritizing safety for our team members and their families and our communities by requiring the COVID-19 vaccination. To be considered for employment, applicants must supply verification of vaccination during the initial interview process.

Please submit your cover letter and resume to ambassadorjobs@downtownseattle.org.

Apply Today

We recognize the value of the Downtown Seattle Association and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of the community we serve and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).

Downtown Seattle Association is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted and, if necessary, disciplined without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology or activity, disability, honorably-discharged veteran or military status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, aptitudes, experience and previous work record. In addition, DSA does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.