Administrative Advocate

Position: Administrative Advocate

Classification: Full-Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt

About YWCA South Hampton RoadsThe YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world and is the preeminent provider of services for victims of domestic and sexual violence in the country. As an affiliate of the YWCA U.S.A., the YWCA South Hampton Roads works locally to implement the mission of the YWCA: Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women. Since 1911, the YWCA South Hampton Roads has served as a source of strength for over a quarter million women and children in the Hampton Roads community. The organization serves approximately 7,000 individuals each year through five hallmark programs, including our: 1) Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter and Housing Program; 2) Sexual Assault Support Services and Counseling Center; 3) Out-of-School Time Services; 4) Respite Care; and 5) Coordinated Crisis Response Program. Learn more at www.ywca-shr.org.Additionally, we offer a full-time benefits package that includes but, is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
• Retirement Plan (eligible after two years of service)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Holiday and Bereavement Pay
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

JOB SUMMARY: This position is responsible for performing routine to difficult administrative support work; to include assisting the counseling department. Reports to the Counseling Program Director.

CORE VALUES: The Administrative Advocate is expected to model the YWCA- SHR Core Values:

• Compassion
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Ownership
• Responsibility
• Empowerment

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Answer office and hotline telephone lines, providing telephone support to clients and allied professionals.
• Responds to telephone inquiries, greet visitors, and schedule appointments.
• Keep the front desk, meeting rooms and all waiting areas tidy and presentable with all necessary materials.
• Sets counseling appointments as requested by clients/callers.
• Provides crisis intervention counseling, advocacy, information and referrals to walk-in crisis clients. Setting appointments as requested by clients.
• Respond to crisis situations involving program participants and provide accompaniment to the hospital forensics unit.
• Maintain client confidentiality in accordance with the YWCA SHR’s Confidentiality policy.
• Data entry for phone calls, walk-in crisis clients, weekend crisis services, and provides data entry back-up support to staff within the ECM and VADATA systems.
• Attends staff meetings, volunteer in-service, and related professional activities as assigned.
• Provides education to the community as well as YWCA staff, interns and volunteers on YWCA services and interpersonal violence.
• Compiles deposits from counseling payments as well as accounts payables received through the mail.
• Takes staff meeting minutes and distributes to staff and/or appropriate meeting participants as requested.
• Sort out program materials, prepares invitations and special mailings, guides, manuals, and training materials.
• Distributes department's mail.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a high school diploma and 2-3 years of related administrative support experience or;
• An Associate's Degree and at least two years of customer service experience preferred.
• Minimum of (1) year of experience working with crisis clients, preferably with a non-profit organization.
• Experience and/or training in crisis intervention and de-escalation of clients/callers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES)

• Demonstrate knowledge of interpersonal violence and a strong commitment to ending violence against women, men and children.
• Must be able to work independently, manage multiple priorities and respond to participants in a professional and reassuring manner.
• Demonstrate ability to act as an advocate on behalf of clients with a working knowledge of legal, medical and social service systems.
• Demonstrate ability to function as a team with co-workers.
• Demonstrate ability to work well with people of various ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to use discretion and good judgment in handling confidential information.
• Successfully complete a background check.
• Must complete the advanced training program of the YWCA.
• It requires a willingness to work and travel alone.
• Travel is required and access to reliable transportation is essential.
• Exceptional Customer Service skills.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office programs, strong computer knowledge, and excellent keyboarding skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Very dependable and professional.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:This position may require the management of any interns or volunteers that are working in an administrative front desk position.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in a typical office environment with a high standard of confidentiality.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: Frequently walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and talks or hears. Often required to stand and sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, squat or crawl. Ability to lift and carry up to 20-25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderately loud. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment, such as but not limited to, a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER