Shelter Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Project Woman of Ohio

525 E. Home Rd.

Springfield, OH 45503

JOB TITLE: Shelter Advocate

DEPARTMENT: Shelter 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt, Part-Time, Hourly

SALARY: $16.50-$17.00

HOURS: 1st, 2nd & 3rd shift weekends and/or weekdays

REPORTS TO:  Shelter Coordinator

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL EMPLOYEES

Supports Project Woman's mission and values by exhibiting the following behaviors: confidentiality and respect for all survivors, Traum- Informed Responses and Approaches, service excellence and job competence, promoting positive collaboration and commitment to community. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator, the Shelter Advocate provided empowerment based, survivor-defined advocacy and support consistent with Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis best practices to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and their families residing in the Emergency Shelter Program, including assisting shelter residents with daily living needs and providing general support and shelter coverage. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides trauma-informed direct services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, and their children residing in an Emergency Shelter. 
• Provides support, advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, parenting support, information, and referrals. 
• Maintain privacy and confidentiality of all participants in Project Woman programming as required by the Violence Against Woman Act federal statute. 
• Utilizes Trauma-Informed Approaches, Crisis Intervention, and conflict management strategies for survivors experiencing trauma reactions. 
• Assists with the daily living needs of shelter residents.
• Provides direct service crisis intervention, resources and referrals to survivor on the 24-hour Crisis Line. 
• Provides shelter orientations to survivors upon entry into shelter. 
  
• Completes intakes (both direct service and paperwork) within 24 hours of shelter entry.
• Completes exit surveys with survivors leaving shelter, as well as required exit paperwork. 
• Facilitates cooperative living, peer support, and resident participation in shelter programming. 
• Models and actively promotes positive, nurturing interactions between adults and children in shelter. 
• Assists with the development and achievement of survivor-defined goals. 
• Communicates shelter expectations and communal living guidelines to residents as outlined in the shelter intake. 
• Promptly addresses difficulties or problems that arise per agency protocol; addresses any communal living conversations with residents and maintains documentation of discussions. 
• Models non-violent conflict resolution and uses non-violent forms of guidance. 
• In collaboration with shelter leadership, takes appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all residents. 
• Collects and maintains survivor level data and documentation, adhering to domestic violence and sexual assault best practice standards, funding requirements, and in keeping with Violence Against Women Act statute requirements. 

OTHER DUTIES

• Creates and contributes to daily log entries to facilitate communication with co-workers, regarding survivors or program updates, and reviews daily log entries at the start of each shift. 
• Consults regularly with Shelter Leadership throughout each shift, as necessary. 
• Maintains record keeping as required and completes all paperwork and entries into the survivor's records database by the end of each shift. 
• Completes house checks, as assigned. 
• Packs survivors/families' belongings, as needed; cleans/sanitizes rooms after survivors exit; prepares room for next survivor.
• Addresses emergency facilities issues as they arise. 
• Assists with stocking and distributing food and other supplies for survivors use. 
• Maintains shelter office space in accordance with Shelter Program Procedures. 
• Adheres to agency policies and work rules, including strict adherence to Project Woman confidentiality policies and code of ethics. 
• Assists with monthly emergency evacuation/preparation drills. 
• Attends agency and shelter meetings, trainings, and continuing education activities, as assigned. 
• Maintain effective and cooperative relationships with community partners, participants, other employees, and volunteers. 
• Consistently represents the mission and philosophy of the agency. 
• Performs other duties as needed, requested, or as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two-year degree in human services-related field, preferred. Relevant work or lived experience may be substituted in lieu of degree. 
• Knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking issues. 
• Experience working in a shelter setting, strongly preferred.
• Experience in crisis intervention strategies, preferred. 
• Experience working in working in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or related fields, preferred. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational abilities. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and willing to learn new technology platforms. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• General knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, social services, and community resources. 
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with survivors and their families. 
• Familiarity with Trauma-Informed Approaches, Ohio Rape Crisis Core Standards, and Crisis Intervention. 
• Ability to remain calm and responsive in crisis situations. 
• Ability to practice good self-care. 
• Ability to respect confidentiality of information learned through providing services. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Strong professional ethics, including confidentiality and appropriate boundaries. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Supportive, positive, and empathetic personality. 
• Excellent time management and multi-tasking. 
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment. 
• General knowledge of customer service skills. 

COMPENSATION

This position has a starting hourly rate of $16.50 with the opportunity to increase to $17.00 after 90 days, and is a part-time, non-exempt position. Project Woman can assist personnel in applying for Registered Advocate (RA) status, or other professional licenses, if desired. Employment with Project Woman allows for participation in statewide domestic violence and sexual assault coalition collaborations, caucuses, and taskforces. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is primarily performed in a secure shelter environment. Work in this environment will result in regularly assisting people in acute distress.  This is a high stress occupation and self-care is essential, as it the ability to handle stress in a positive manner. 

• While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit, walk and stand;
• Handle and operate standard office equipment;
• Move about and position self efficiently to perform physical tasks and address emergency situations;
• Move or transport supplies or equipment up to 50 pounds;
• Maintain awareness of and remain attentive to the activities and needs of survivors and their families while in shelter; 
• Handle cleaning products chemicals and solvents; 
• Occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions; 
• The Shelter Advocate is an awake position. Work shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays to ensure adequate coverage of the shelter program. 

Project Woman is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Project Woman of Ohio is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects human diversity and improves opportunities for all. The agency is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, and eliminating discrimination. Project Woman does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other basis under the law, in its employment.