Shelter Advocate

Position: Shelter Advocate

Location: Kent WA

Reports to: Shelter Advocacy Supervisor

Department: Emergency Shelter

Classification: Non-Excempt

Hours/Shifts:

40 hours/week Mon-Fri (8hrs)

From 2:00pm - 10:00 pm (8hrs)

Hourly Salary: Starting at $25/hr. $1 bilingual differential

Position Summary:

This full-time Shelter Advocate position provides trauma-informed domestic violence advocacy services for Survivors of domestic violence residing in DAWNs DV Emergency Shelter located in a confidential location in South King County. Sensitive to the emotions and experiences of Survivors the Advocate at Shelter performs crisis intervention safety planning resource and information-based counseling and advocacy. This person is a motivated energetic and quick learner driven to end violence in our communities. Shelter advocates commonly spend time providing compassionate support to survivors and their children while working with them to identify goals barriers and resources.

Benefits Include:

• 104 hours of vacation per year.
• 78 hours of sick time per year.
• DAWN offers 4 days of Self Care 1 day accrued at the beginning of each quarter.
• DAWN offers 13 paid Holidays (Holidays are paid if that is your normal work schedule).
• You will be eligible for group medical dental vision and life coverage the first of the month following 30 days of employment. The Company pays the full cost of employee coverage. Dependent coverage is available for purchase through a payroll deduction.
• DAWN offers retirement plans (401k) with a 4% company match.
• Mileage reimbursement is available for work-related travel outside the agency according to DAWNs reimbursement policy calculated at the current federal IRS mileage rate (excludes regular commuting).
  

Who We Are Looking For:

We are seeking those:

• Who have a passion for ending domestic violence gender racial and economic inequality and for social justice along with a commitment to DAWNs mission vision values and policies/procedures.
• Who have a deep commitment to the value that survivors know what is best for themselves and their children and an ability to suspend personal opinions to support survivors in their choices.
• Who value diversity and have a commitment to equity in our community reflected in both the services offered to survivors and interactions within the team.
• Who are committed to learning being challenged and growing personally and professionally.
• Who conduct themselves in a professional manner with co-team members clients donors and community members.
• Who are enthusiastic about working within a team environment with dedicated hardworking and passionate colleagues.

Advocacy:

• Listen support and provide trauma-informed survivor-centered empowerment-based advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and their children.

• Partner with survivors to identify safety concerns and develop individualized safety plans based on each survivors priorities and circumstances.
• Provide information advocacy and connections to resources related to emergency shelter housing basic needs legal services immigration services mental health childrens services and other specialized supports as needed.
• Develop strong relationships with service providers and act as a liaison between clients and said providers.

• May facilitate community support groups for survivors.
• Understand institutional barriers to services and support and work with outside systems and/or providers to improve the survivors experience navigating the system.
• Support other advocates and team members in their work through consultations training or providing co-advocacy especially in the areas where the advocate may have specific expertise or experience.
• Maintain the strictest confidentiality protocols.

Child and Youth Advocacy:

• Provide trauma informed developmentally appropriate support to children residing in the shelter.
• Support children impacted by domestic violence using strength-based approaches.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to mandated reporting obligations.
• Support children during shelter parenting classes and survivor support groups.
• Offer individual and group engagement opportunities tailored to each childs needs and developmental stage.

Program-Specific Responsibilities:

• Manage an assigned caseload or shift-based workload according to program needs.
• Provide services at shelter and main office community sites and/or other approved locations. Must be able to travel between assigned service locations.
• Maintain a clean safe and sanitary shelter environment by completing assigned cleaning duties supporting residents in following shared-space expectations and promptly reporting maintenance sanitation or safety concerns to the Shelter Advocacy Supervisor.
• Complete program-specific intakes assessments referrals follow-up or systems advocacy.
• Transport clients as needed in Shelter Van to approved locations.
• Respond to emergencies (medical fire safety/security) in accordance with shelter emergency protocols.
• Provide shift coverage as needed to ensure continuous shelter operations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Crisis Line:

• Answer the 24-hour advocacy and support line during scheduled shifts.
• Voluntary shift allowances may be available for advocates who pick up additional crisis line coverage.

Outreach:

• Represent DAWN at community meetings and events when needed.
• Distribute materials throughout South King County to ensure the community and other partners are updated on services.

• Participate in outreach and education activities which may include offering training attending community meetings and/or outreach events.

Administrative:

• Provide timely completion of relevant paperwork accurately enter data into multiple databases and maintain complete up-to-date client files.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse staff clients and volunteers.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to communicate well with people in crisis the advocacy team and community partners and to communicate across cultures and with those who have limited English.

• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to make sound judgments relating to crisis situations.
• Ability to complete paperwork and enter information into multiple databases accurately and on time.
• Ability to communicate professionally in English both verbally and in writing sufficient to complete required documentation and inter-agency communication.

Essential functions (Physical Abilities):

• Ability to sit walk stand bend kneel and twist on an intermittent basis including when answering the door for visitors or clients.
• Ability to grasp push pull objects such as files and reach as needed.
• Physically able to walk or run if needed climb stairs without assistance.
• Ability to lift and carry at 50 pounds.
• Ability to work and type on a computer for extended periods of time.

Education/Experience:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in social work psychology or similar field preferred.
• 12 years of advocacy experience preferred; lived experience of domestic or gender-based violence considered in lieu of paid work experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Teams Word Outlook Excel PowerPoint) preferred.
• Osnium database experience a plus.
• Must complete DAWNs 24-hour DVI training and CPR/First Aid certification within 90 days of hire; 30 hours of continuing education required annually starting in year two.
• Valid WA drivers license proof of insurance and clean driving record required for own-vehicle travel. Candidates with reliable alternative transportation should discuss options with the hiring manager.

About DAWN:

DAWN stands with survivors of domestic abuse helping them rebuild their lives while working to make South King County safer through education and advocacy. Our services include a 24-hour advocacy hotline emergency shelter community advocacy and support to help survivors and their families find safety and begin again.

Trauma Exposure Acknowledgment:

Employees in this role may be exposed to descriptions and effects of domestic violence trauma abuse and crisis situations. DAWN supports employees through mental health coverage regular supervision case consultation debriefing following critical incidents dedicated Self Care days and generous sick leave.

Inclusion Statement:

DAWN is committed to building a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion in every part of our work. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive fair consideration without regard to race color age religion pregnancy sex sexual orientation disability gender identity or expression national origin veteran status marital status domestic violence or stalking victim status or any other protected status.

Hiring Requirements:

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Accommodations:

If you need accommodation due to a disability during the application or interview process please contact us at so DAWN can support you.

Required Experience:

Junior IC