What are the responsibilities and job description for the Domestic Violence Advocate 1st Shift PT Weekends position at Crisis Center for South Suburbia?
Crisis Center for South Suburbia
About us!
The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is a non-profit community organization that provides emergency shelter and other essential services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence and addresses the societal issues that contribute to domestic violence.
Today, the Crisis Center for South Suburbia operates a 54-bed emergency shelter and has annual impact on the lives of more than 10,000 people. With a staff of more than 83 employees and a budget of over seven million dollars, the Crisis Center continues to grow while offering free services to Chicago’s south suburban communities.
Why Us?
In both service provision and fundraising, we maintain the highest professional and personal ethical standards. We respect the diversity of the individuals we work with and serve. Each person’s contributions are valued as we work together cooperatively with open communication. We continually evaluate the effectiveness of our services, with established channels for feedback and accountability. We believe in teamwork, individual excellence, and accountability.
We embrace a history founded in creating equity – we take our principles seriously by courageously committing to a culture and workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported, and valued.
We offer competitive salaries, health, dental, vision & life insurance, 403B matching, flexible schedules, opportunity for advancement, paid time off, wellness resources, training and development, performance-based bonuses and more.
As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage people of varied races, ethnicities, national origins, tribes, religions, ages, gender identities and expressions, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, disabilities, veteran/reserve national guard statuses, socio-economic statuses, thinking and communication styles to work with us.
Across our agency, we are working together to support the life-changing mission of ending domestic violence for individuals and families with the transformational impact of lives without abuse.
Domestic Violence Advocate -
This role provides essential crisis intervention, residential client services, and administrative support in a shelter environment. This position is responsible for answering the 24-hour crisis hotline, providing emotional support, conducting intakes, and ensuring the well-being of residential clients. The role also includes assisting with case management, coordinating referrals, and ensuring shelter operations run smoothly. Staff will facilitate group sessions, conduct client check-ins, and maintain shelter cleanliness, safety, and organization. The position demands a high level of compassion, knowledge of community resources, and the ability to follow agency policies while promoting self-sufficiency and safety for those experiencing domestic violence.
JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Crisis Hotline and Client Intake
- Answer the 24-hour crisis hotline, providing crisis intervention, emotional support, and accurate referrals to callers.
- Complete agency intakes, provide information about shelter services, and consult approval staff regarding shelter intakes.
- Complete all hotline-related documentation accurately and efficiently, ensuring proper client intake forms are processed.
- Respond to inquiries and follow-up calls in a timely and compassionate manner, ensuring a high standard of customer service.
- Monitor and manage the entry of clients and visitors through security doors, ensuring the safety and security of the premises.
- Complete comprehensive shelter check-ins and shelter exits to ensure all documentation is accurately and thoroughly completed.
Residential Client Services
- Establish regular client check-ins throughout the client’s stay, ensuring needs are met and progress is tracked.
- Facilitate shelter tours for new clients, assign client rooms, and distribute linens.
- Prepares and serve lunch and dinner each shift for all adult and child shelter residents, including meal clean up.
- Maintains a clean and orderly shelter kitchen and pantry area, including regular and thorough cleaning of appliances, walls, cabinets, shelves, etc.
- Organizes shelter food stock, regularly rotating donated foods for storage to shelter pantry, and ensuring that food items in freezers and refrigerators are covered and labeled appropriately.
- Assist clients with room changes and conduct room checks as necessary to ensure safety and compliance with shelter guidelines.
- Communicate and enforce shelter guidelines consistently and compassionately, helping clients understand and adhere to the program guidelines.
- Provide trauma informed care and domestic violence education to clients to promote healing and self-sufficiency.
- Facilitate group sessions for clients, focusing on communication strategies, conflict resolution, life skills and domestic violence education.
- Be knowledgeable about local services and resources to provide accurate and compassionate referrals.
Operational and Administrative Duties
- Manage shelter cleanliness and organization, completing weekly rotation of shelter tasks, monitoring client chores, and ensuring the living environment is safe and clean.
- Track and manage residential storage of clients' belongings, including labeling and discarding personal items as needed.
- Manage and fill client personal supply requests.
- Complete daily shift reports, ensuring comprehensive documentation of client interactions, activities, and any issues that arise.
- Monitor client’s use of shelter property, ensuring rooms are cleaned upon check-out and any needed repairs are reported via the Mojo ticket system.
- Maintain accurate records, including Empower entries and client documentation, in coordination with the Data Entry Clerk.
- Assist with the training and support of new staff, volunteers, and interns
- Ensure all shelter supplies are adequately stocked and organized.
- Ensure a clean and organized hotline/RM station, including sanitizing workspaces as well as sweeping and mopping as needed.
- Accept and manage in-kind donations, ensuring proper documentation and receipt forms are completed.
- Participate in all staff meetings, department meetings, trainings, and supervision as required by the Victim Services Department.
- Maintain professional, accurate, and timely communication both within the agency and with external partners.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by supervisor to ensure the effective operation of the shelter and support for clients.
Salary : $20 - $22
