Shelter Advocate (Crisis Support)

Job Description

Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is to 1) provide support, crisis intervention, and safety planning to individuals and families staying at the Lewis House emergency shelter who have experienced domestic abuse and/or sexual assault and 2) answer crisis hotline calls. Shelter operates and is staffed 24/7. Full-time position at 30 hours per week; Wednesday - Friday 10 pm - 8 am. Available benefits include health, dental and vision insurance options, paid vacation, sick and safe hours and flexible holidays, and an employer matching retirement account. Qualifications include one to two years related experience working with victims of domestic and/or sexual violence. Bachelor’s degree preferred, but experience in lieu of degree will be considered, completion of 40-hour sexual assault training prior to employment is preferred, but will help obtain if needed (within six months of employment)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission statement and core values at all times. The mission statement is “360 Communities delivers safety and stability that improves lives.”
2. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referrals, and ongoing support and services as needed to domestic and sexual violence victims/survivors and their family members. This includes work done in person with shelter residents, walk-ins, or over the phone in calls that come to our crisis line(s).
3. Provide holistic advocacy services and resources to Lewis House residents, including safety planning, child/adult education, community connections/resources, housing, financial, legal (excluding legal advice), building support networks, and other services/resources as apparent or identified in shelter intakes.
4. Complete follow-up from police reports/calls and assist victims/survivors with initial needs. This includes providing emotional support, resources, safety planning, assistance with protective orders, screening for safe housing, and more.
5. Complete and assist with day-to-day duties in shelter. This includes cleaning bedrooms/turnover, putting away food orders, assisting residents with daily chores, general cleaning for health/safety, making copies of needed forms/documents, accepting/sorting/distributing donations, working with volunteers, etc.
6. Respond to hospital calls at Fairview Ridges and Regina hospitals to provide support to victims/survivors during forensic exams as able during scheduled work times.
7. Depending on schedule/shift, training requirements, and program needs, Shelter Advocates may do the following:

• Facilitate and participate in group activities at Lewis House. This may include house meetings and planned family activities.
• Participate in weekly case consultation with other advocates, to discuss strengths and needs of residents at Lewis House.
• Facilitate educational support groups for victims/survivors
• Complete Housing Assessments with Lewis House Residents
• Complete Safe at Home Applications

1. Maintain accurate data for statistical purposes as well as narratives for service delivery provisions.
2. Participate in or offer feedback and/or ideas to various workgroups within the organization to help us continue moving in a forward direction with best practices for staff wellness, client services and other initiatives.
3. Actively participate and attend staff meetings, including 360 Communities All Staff Meetings, VPI Staff meetings, Shelter Team Meetings, and Reflective Supervision Groups.
4. Pursue training opportunities for ongoing professional development and to stay up to date on trends related to the work.
5. Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as the need is apparent or as requested or delegated.

Education and/or Experience

• One to two years related experience working with victims of domestic and/or sexual violence. Bachelor’s degree preferred, but experience in lieu of degree will be considered.
• Completion of 40-hour sexual assault training prior to employment is preferred, but will help obtain if needed (within six months of employment)
• EOE