Immokalee Emergency Shelter Advocate

Immokalee Emergency Shelter Advocate – The Shelter for Abused Women & Children

Location: Immokalee Shelter location

Reports to: Immokalee Residential Manager Employment Type: Fulltime, Non- Exempt (Hourly)

Direct Reports: N/A

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

Schedule may be one of two daily 12-hour shifts, Three days per week. Day 7 am – 7 pm OR Night 7 pm – 7 am

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

The Impact of This Position

The Shelter’s Emergency Shelter Advocates offer empowerment-based advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, and wrap-around services to support victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. They assist these individuals in navigating dangerous situations and connect them to vital resources and community support systems to ensure short and long-term safety.

Full-time Employee 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 and dependent care, Employee Assistance Program, and Paid Time Off Buy Back Program for eligible employees. We also encourage a happy, healthy, and whole work environment by empowering staff to maintain their wellness through fitness incentives. Full disclosure of details, policies, and procedures are provided upon hire.

Non-Negotiables

Education and Experience:

o Must have High School Diploma and/or GED

o Associate’s degree and/or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields.

o Experience with domestic violence, human trafficking, and our trauma intervention and prevention is preferred.

Certifications and Training

o Completion of First Aid and CPR certification.

o Successful completion of The Shelter’s Core Competency training upon hire.

EOO & Compliance

o The Shelter is an Equal Opportunity Employer

o Must provide valid authorization to work in the U.S.

o Must have a valid Florida Driver’s License.

o Must pass state and federal background checks, provide satisfactory references, and complete a drug screening with no former citations of child abuse or neglect.

Skills and Competencies

o Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

o Demonstrated exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to engage with a diverse range of people (peers, senior leadership, law enforcement, DCF, community partners etc.

o Strong organizational skills with the ability to adapt seamlessly to various environments, demonstrating flexibility and a proactive approach.

o Techy savvy candidates preferred. Must effectively process data entry and navigate across various softwares (Outlook, Word).

Essential Functions

• Adhere to The Shelter’s Polices & Procedures and DCF Standards and guidelines for advocacy.

• Aid in filing for restraining orders, injunctions, protective orders, immigration, and other petitions.

• Answer the crisis hotline and provide callers, as well as all program participants, with empowerment-based crisis counseling, guidance, emotional support, information, and referrals.

• Assess lethality of participant’s situation and participants’ needs.

• Assist participant with safety plans (development & implementation).

• Assist victims in securing rights, remedies, and services from other agencies.

• Determine if the victim is seeking emergency shelter and offer assistance, as needed.

• Educate survivors about basic financial fundamentals with The Shelter’s partner resources.

• Maintain a safe, clutter-free Shelter through housekeeping tasks like trash removal, preparing bedrooms, and assisting survivors with kitchen upkeep.

• Offer aid in locating emergency financial assistance, TANF benefits, and other resources.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by your supervisor

• Provide empowerment-based counseling (face-to-face and/or via telephone) in either individual or group settings

• Provide empowerment-based, culturally inclusive family advocacy for all participants

• Provide information on the dynamics of domestic violence and human trafficking.

• Provide referrals, vouchers, and/or supplies for transportation, food, clothing, and emergency housing.

• Support, assist, and advocate for victims at any stage in the criminal justice system.

• Teach survivors essential life skills, including cooking and cleaning.

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.

• 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.

What We Value

• A culture of philanthropy.

• Adaptability to new systems and processes.

• Attention to detail and accuracy in work.

• Human connection and personal growth.

• Kindness, compassion, and open-mindedness.

• The Shelter’s 3 I’s: Integrity, Initiative, & Innovation

• Passion for our mission and eagerness to learn.

• Professionalism and leadership by example.

• Resilience and extreme ownership in facing challenges.

Inclusive Job Requirements & Anti-Discrimination Framework

You must be able to lift and bend up to 20 lbs. This role may require extended periods of sitting or standing. The described work environment reflects conditions typically encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Requests for reasonable accommodations under the ADA will be reviewed in accordance with applicable laws. The Shelter is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit and job-related qualifications, without consideration of protected characteristics as defined by federal law.