Shelter Advocate

Scope of Work:

The Shelter Advocate plays a critical role in maintaining peace and productivity at the Valencia Shelter. The Advocate must be able to work independently to manage the activity of the shelter. Client safety and individual success are the highest priority. This is a fast paced environment with many demands. Understanding priorities, being diligent in documentation, and appropriate in all communication are essential.

Qualifications:

* Minimum of 21 years of age

* Must be able to pass a background check

* Must have a valid driver's license

Two years prior experience working effectively in crisis environment

• Experience working with diverse populations
• Good verbal and written communication
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to operate in an understanding, sympathetic, and compassionate manner while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries as defined by the VSS policies and procedures.
• Bi-lingual preferred but not required
• Ability to work as a team player with co-workers and supervisors
• Good computer skills – both hardware and software
• Must be able to complete all required NMCSAP/NMCADV/NMCSVANW/CVRC/CYFD training before assisting survivors

Primary Responsibilities:

• Respond to crisis situations in a calm, effective, and professional manner.
• Maintain a secure environment in the shelter at all times by ensuring that all clients fully understand the security measures in the facility and by providing ongoing oversight of security measures.
• Perform interim intake procedures for new clients entering shelter including orientation to shelter life, assessing for immediate medical needs, creating a safety plan, and explaining the Shelter Handbook and expectations for living in the shelter.
• Serve as an advocate to all shelter clients by helping them understand their responsibilities in the shelter and helping them fulfill their individual goals.
• Conduct weekly client goal review in keeping with agency procedures in order to support client success in the shelter and long term.
• Maintain daily activity logs, document appropriate client interactions in DAP notes, complete all other Agency forms as necessary, and distribute to the appropriate parties.
• Log in to agency google communication tool throughout shift and use it to communicate important info to Shelter Site Coordinator and Shelter Manager as appropriate.
• Document and secure client medications in individual client med lock boxes in the locking med cabinet and document client med usage.
• Support the Shelter Site Coordinator by completing assigned tasks in a timely manner, being alert to shelter needs including repairs and maintenance, and communicating shelter and client needs.
• Ensure that supplies are inventoried and maintained so that shelter clients are not compromised for food, supplies, and other basic necessities during their stay.
• Be On Call as scheduled for client transportation into shelter, backup in the shelter in case of crisis or emergency, or other critical shelter need.
• Fulfill other tasks as assigned to meet the needs of the clients and shelter including client transportation, shopping for supplies, conducting minor household repairs, etc.
• Recommend changes to agency policy and procedures as needed to fulfill needs of clients and staff.
• Answer the 24-hour crisis line, document the call appropriately, make appropriate arrangements for transport if necessary, make appropriate referrals as necessary, notify 911 or emergency personnel as necessary.
• Participate in trainings as needed and required by the agency or funding sources.
• Attend weekly shelter meeting and monthly all staff meetings.
• Other duties to be assigned as needed

Schedule:

**VSS requires all staff to be flexible to accommodate the shelter needs. **

We are looking to fill various positions.

Part-time, Full-time, PRN (as needed)

Morning, evening, nights, weekends, holidays, on- call

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $18.00 - $19.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend
• Holidays
• Morning shift
• Night shift
• On call
• Overnight shift

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have working with diverse population?

Experience:

• Social work: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Los Lunas, NM 87031 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $19