Domestic Violence Shelter Advocate (Overnight/Evening)

Full job description

Domestic Abuse Council is a non-profit organization that offers a 24/7 emergency shelter, crisis hotline, and outreach services to survivors of domestic violence.

Reports To: Residential Manager

Days/Hours:

· Full-time.

· 8 hours shifts.

· Overnights (Weekends included)

All employees are expected to be flexible as necessary to meet the needs of the agency.

This position is classified as "essential" personnel and is required to work during holidays and in times of hardship, such as extreme weather conditions or other emergencies.

Workplace location: Domestic Abuse Council Emergency Shelter

Qualifications:

· High school diploma and/or a two- or four-year degree in a social service-related field

· Two years of work experience in Domestic Violence or Sexual Violence field (preferred)

· Excellent customer service skills

· Experience working in a residential setting (preferred)

· Bilingual Spanish, preferred.

General Job Description for Residential Advocate:

The Residential Advocate will provide trauma-informed and survivor-focused advocacy services to survivors in the Emergency Shelter program.

Advocates use best practice models to provide individual support services to participants. These services include but are not limited to assisting with the intake process, answering crisis calls on the hotline, providing crisis counseling, individual counseling, case management, reviewing files, ensuring proper and timely documentation, and facilitating support groups.

Prospective candidates are required to display a positive and non-judgmental attitude towards survivors of domestic violence. Moreover, they must have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, be able to establish appropriate boundaries, and use sound judgment. It is also preferred that candidates possess experience in case management.

The Residential Advocate role involves ensuring that all services provided are based on empowerment and comply with the standards set by the Department of Children and Family (DCF). This job description aims to outline the nature and level of work expected from this position. However, it is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities and duties required, and management retains the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.

Essential Job Functions:

We offer trauma-informed direct services to survivors of domestic violence, which includes individual support, advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals, counseling, and support groups, Our approach is based on the empowerment model, and we maintain a non-judgmental attitude towards participants' decisions.

We aim to offer survivor-centered service management and advocacy services to our clients. During their stay, we ensure that all residents' basic needs are met, such as food, clothing, bedding, and medical requirements. We also facilitate the development and implementation of individualized goals for each resident and monitor their progress towards achieving these goals. Our approach is strength-based, trauma-informed, and gender-specific, which enables us to identify positive solutions for our participants.

We are responsible for maintaining a safe, positive, and dynamic environment in the shelter. This includes monitoring and resolving any communal living challenges and conflicts that may arise among the participants. Advocates must model non-violent conflict resolution and take appropriate actions during emergency/crisis situations to ensure the safety of all clients. It is important to communicate clearly and document all emergencies and crisis situations to the residential leadership team and across shifts.

As an Advocate in the shelter, it is important to promote a healthy, safe, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment. To ensure that these standards are maintained, it is necessary to conduct daily checks and take corrective action when necessary. Any safety or health hazards should be addressed immediately, such as cleaning the kitchen and communal areas, emptying trash, identifying and monitoring maintenance issues. Communication is also key - it is important to effectively communicate with the participants, residential leadership, and across shifts of any ongoing safety or health concerns.

Advocates adhere to all operational procedures related to shelter management, which includes managing inventory and distributing basic necessities as well as financial assistance to the participants. This involves effectively stocking and maintaining storage spaces, and accurately documenting the distribution of all basic needs and financial aid provided to the participants. Additionally, you may need to assist in the pick-up, shopping, and unpacking of all supplies purchased for the residential participants.

As a part of your responsibilities, it is important to keep the client's service file and database up-to-date and accurate. This includes documenting all individual services, referrals, and financial assistance provided, and ensuring that releases of information are detailed and current. It is also crucial to participate in peer file reviews in order to maintain quality assurance for the files. You must meet the quality assurance standards of the position as well as any funding contractual obligations.

As an advocate, it is important to establish and maintain a good working relationship with relevant service providers and community agencies to ensure the basic needs of the participants are met. This includes effective communication, information sharing, and collaboration to facilitate system navigation. Advocating on behalf of the participant is also crucial to ensure timely access to services, appropriate interventions are being offered, and barriers across services and systems of care are being reduced. It is important to follow all confidentiality standards when advocating on behalf of the participant with a community partner.

It is important to adhere to the guidelines set by the State and Agency when reporting any incidents of child abuse or submitting incident reports. Timely notification to the supervisor is mandatory. Additionally, any other assigned tasks must be completed efficiently.

Furthermore, as an employee, it is mandatory to complete the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Core Competency training. The employee must obtain a passing grade of 75% or higher to meet the additional requirement.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift
• Rotating weekends

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17