Prevention Advocate

Organization: The Shelter for Abused Women & Children 

Location: Based at the Immokalee Shelter location with frequent commuting to the Naples Shelter, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS), and local organizations.

Reports to: Primary Prevention Services Supervisor   Employment Type: Fulltime, Non- Exempt (Hourly)

Direct Reports: N/A

Salary: Determined based on experience, local wages, and nonprofit industry rates.

This is a fully in-person position with no opportunities for remote work.

 The Impact of This Position:

Provide engaging educational content and training to local children and youth, in order cultivate a safe future free from bullying, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence. You will be a positive mentor, influencer, and role model to children & youth in an attempt to reduce risk factors associated with those who bully or later participate in unhealthy behaviors, toxic relationships, and teen dating violence. Some direct service required. Direct services provided on a case-by-case basis in accordance to The Shelter’s and DCF’s State Polices and private grant deliverables.

Non-Negotiables

Education and Experience

• • Associate’s degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields, such as academics, nonprofit, social work, public/community services, healthcare, hospitality, or mental health. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Experience with domestic violence, human trafficking, and our trauma intervention and prevention is preferred.

Certifications and Training

• • Completion of First Aid and CPR certification.
  • Successful completion of The Shelter’s Core Competency training upon hire.

EOO & Compliance

• • The Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer
  • Must provide valid authorization to work in the U.S.
  • Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License.
  • Must pass state and federal background checks, provide satisfactory references, and complete a drug screening.

Skills and Competencies

• • Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with a diverse range of people (peers, senior leadership, law enforcement, DCF, community partners) across all communication channels, including phone, email, Microsoft Teams, storytelling, and incident reporting, as needed.
  • Proficiency in public speaking and delivering a multitude of presentations in one day to diverse audiences (Community youth K-12).
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to adapt seamlessly to various environments, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach.
  • Techy savvy candidates preferred. Must effectively navigate across presentation platforms and software.

What We Value:

• A culture of philanthropy.
• Adaptability to new systems and processes.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Human connection and personal growth.
• Kindness, compassion, and open-mindedness.
• Open and honest communication
• Passion for our mission and eagerness to learn.
• Professionalism and leadership by example.
• Resilience and extreme ownership in facing challenges.

What You’ll Do:

One-on-One Direct Services to Children & Youth

• Assess lethality of participant’s situation and participants’ needs.
• Assist participant with safety plan (development & implementation).
• Coordinate and conduct children’s support groups in conjunction with adult support groups. These may be facilitated during the evenings.
• Provide referrals, vouchers, and/or supplies for transportation, food, clothing, and emergency housing.
• Provide empowerment-based, culturally inclusive family advocacy for all participants
• Provide information on the dynamics of domestic violence and human trafficking.
• Provide empowerment-based counseling (face-to-face and/or via telephone) in either individual or group settings.
• Work closely with your supervisor and Emergency Shelter Residential Managers to facilitate and deliver services to children residing in emergency shelter.

Deliver Presentations

• Assist supervisor with coordinating presentation scheduling with CCPS. Provide timely follow-up communication before and after each presentation.
• Collaborate with your team to create and prepare engaging content for children and youth.
• Deliver presentations Primary Prevention Presentations to CCPS, community, and residential children and youth.

• Age appropriate topics range from teaching about healthy friendships, how to avoid toxic relationships, dismantling gender-based stereotypes, and how to manage anger.

• Foster an atmosphere of teamwork, compassion, respect, and professionalism.
• Participation in delivering presentations on some weekend days.

Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of presentation data and documentation of direct services in The Shelter’s aggregate data management system.
• Monitor, evaluate, and document audiences’ level of engagement, increase in knowledge, and observe classroom behaviors. Administer pre- and post- tests when appropriate.
• Operate in accordance with grant and funding guidelines
• Submit program content in a timely manner to your supervisor for grant reporting.

Who You Are:

• Able to prioritize effectively and work within tight timelines.
• Caring, compassionate, and kind.
• Collaborative, with the ability to inspire and foster partnerships.
• Comfortable learning new systems, software, and processes.
• Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Composed and self-aware when facing challenges.
• Critical thinker and objective decision-maker.
• Curious, gritty, and passionate about The Shelter’s mission.
• Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish or Creole)
• Detail-oriented and accurate in work.
• Professional proficiency in English; bilingual in Spanish or Creole preferred.
• Willing to take extreme ownership of responsibilities and contributions.

The Shelter’s Spectacular Benefits Package

The Shelter offers a spectacular benefits package for all full-time staff, including a 36-hour work week, staff appreciation events, and generous 200 hours of paid time off for vacation, your birthday, holidays, and sick days. We cover 100% of medical and mental health benefits, offer affordable dental and vision plans, an employer match 401K program, Flexible Spending Account for medical expenses, Childcare & Fitness Reimbursement Plan, and much more! We also encourage a happy, healthy, and whole work environment by empowering staff to maintain their wellness through fitness incentives.

Work Environment and Non-Discrimination Disclosure Statement

You must be able to lift and bend up to 20lbs. The role may require sitting or standing for several hours at a time. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The Shelter for Abused Women & Children complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and support to the Deaf or Hard-of­-Hearing in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Shelter is an equal opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status. We assure you that your opportunity for employment with us depends solely upon your knowledge, skills, and abilities. * Applicants with lived experience of domestic or intimate partner violence are encouraged to apply, provided they have been out of the abusive relationship for at least two years. This guideline ensures candidates are emotionally prepared for the delicate nature of the work, enabling them to advocate effectively for others.