SafeChoice Shelter Advocate

SafeChoice Shelter Advocate

The SafeChoice Shelter Advocate helps to provide supportive and low barrier emergency shelter services to survivors of domestic violence. The SafeChoice shelter provides comprehensive support to survivors of domestic violence, all services provided are trauma-informed, survivor-centered and in compliance with contract requirements. This position is responsible for providing direct service advocacy in the SafeChoice Domestic Violence Shelter, services are provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The SafeChoice Shelter staff provides services that align with agency values, supports direct service staff while modeling positive self-care.

Mission

• Gain approval for, track, and participate in activities that meet the organization's 1% for Social Change initiative.
• Incorporate the YWCA's commitment to social justice by understanding how racism, sexism, classism, and other oppressions intersect and are embedded in institutions. Seek opportunities for continued learning about racial, gender and class equity.
• Assure that participants, staff, volunteers, and community partners are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background.
• Think through the lens of racial equity and its intersections with poverty. Use the core principles of anti-racism and grounding those principles in all daily tasks.

Direct Services Advocacy

• Utilize strong de-escalation and empowerment skills to best support individuals who have or are being impacted by domestic violence. Provide a survivor-centered, empowerment-based approach to advocacy, effectively supporting survivors and families in identifying their own needs and goals and increasing survivor safety.
• Provide culturally responsive advocacy that honors the lived experiences of every survivor accessing support services. Effectively communicate available resources that support cultural values, beliefs and customs.
• Effectively and respectfully work with people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse needs.
• Respond to survivors on domestic violence hotline calls, complete phone screens and intakes and provide case management advocacy.
• Connect participants with relevant community resources to address needs related to domestic violence, including domestic violence education, domestic violence protection orders, safety planning, housing, and financial assistance.
• Input data relating to participants as required by contracts and state law. This includes, but is not limited to, entering data into Empower DB, or other data base systems, creating new participant files, exiting files, updating the former resident database, sending monthly 911 and sexual assault program logs to appropriate staff.
• Respond to questions and concerns from participants, co-workers, supervisor, and community partners as appropriate, in a timely fashion, and in a manner that supports the mission and core values of the program and organization.
• Document and communicate pertinent, relevant, and appropriate participant related information to co- workers and supervisor.
• Utilizing proper techniques, conduct room turnovers and additional maintenance responsibilities during shifts including, but not limited to: sanitizing mattresses and room surfaces and responsibilities on the walk- through check list.
• Perform housekeeping duties as assigned including, but not limited to: emptying garbage cans, cleaning spills, wiping and sanitizing surfaces, washing laundry, pushing carts, sweeping and mopping, rearranging furniture.
• Assist with receiving donations and supplies, loading, unloading, and restocking.
• Act as first responder in the event of an emergency or building evacuation.
• Work closely with other SafeChoice staff and other community partners to support families in obtaining safe housing options after shelter and complete housing and vulnerability assessments.
• Using the current shelter guidelines, work with other SafeChoice shelter staff to maintain an organized, safe shelter environment and support with room turnovers, donations, and any other facility needs as assigned.
• Ability to commute in and around Clark County, WA or other locations as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and sit or stand for long durations of time.

Requirements

There is a strong social justice component to all positions within YWCA Clark County, requiring critical thinking through the lens of racism and intersections with poverty. Knowing the core principles of anti-racism and grounding those principles in everyday work are required job skills and core values.

Strong problem-solving skills: resourceful and able to resolve challenges while knowing when it's time to stop and ask questions or seek additional guidance.

Strong technological skills: effectively use common software programs (like MS Office, Excel, and PowerPoint) to fulfill position related expectations.

Strong soft-skills: with little to no prompting, adapt work and communication style to mitigate and/or de-escalate crisis, and to best support our participants.

Preferred Experience

• At least six months experience providing empowerment-based advocacy, preferably domestic violence advocacy to at risk populations.
• At least six months working with families and children who are experiencing domestic violence and homelessness.

Required Knowledge

• Understanding of intersecting oppressions, empowerment, and the dynamics of domestic violence.
• Proficient in MS Office products

General Requirements

• Complete and pass a background check;
• Complete the training requirements, pursuant to WAC 388-61A-1085 ;
• Be present for and appropriately participate in staff meetings as required.
• Establish and maintain a record of dependability with regards to punctuality, following call-out procedures, and adhering to the policies, practices, and guidelines set by the organization and SafeChoice.
• Support co-workers and supervisors by filling open shifts when needed, agreeing to shift changes (e.g. swing to day, day to night), on an on-call basis, up to 32 hours/week. Must be able to work any shift with an emphasis for covering evening, overnight and weekend shifts.
• Maintain appropriate personal/professional boundaries with participants and co-workers to maintain clear, open, and unbiased lines of communication.

Don't meet every single requirement after reading through this post? You may be just the right candidate for the role or future roles, and please know we value lived experience! Studies have shown that due to white supremacy culture, systemically oppressed communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. YWCA Clark County is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways.