Shelter Advocate

Shelter Advocate

The Shelter Advocate works to ensure that clients at Journey Center's Emergency Shelter have a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for them to process their experiences and develop skills to a life free from domestic violence. Under the general supervision of shelter leadership, the Shelter Advocate provides support, advocacy, and general oversight of shelter operations and client wellbeing while clients are residing at shelter.

Essential Job Functions

1. Providing 24-hour coverage of shelter to ensure clients have access to emergency assistance and supportive services while residing in shelter
2. Answer the 24/7 helpline, conduct intakes and assessments with potential clients, and/or provide linkage to internal and external services as needed
   • Provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and resources to helpline callers
   • Maintain accurate documentation of each helpline call
   • Report known/suspected child abuse and complete necessary documentation
3. Facilitate intake process for new clients entering shelter and ensure completion of preliminary intake paperwork within 48 hours of arrival to shelter
4. Prepare all needed items for new clients coming into shelter (scrubs, blankets, sheets, toiletries, infant/child needs, etc.), ensure proper hotbox treatment of all client items and ensure unoccupied bedrooms are clean and ready for new intake
5. Carry out general operations of the shelter and ensure that services are provided to clients in compliance with the policies, procedures, and requirements of operation set forth by Journey Center and its funders
6. Provide a supportive environment for clients and listen to clients with a non-judgmental attitude
7. Respond to any crisis situations that arise during the shift and when necessary, notify the appropriate staff members
8. Develop and maintain case records in agency database that document services provided to clients in accordance with agency standards and funders
9. Review and document in Shelter Daily Log during every shift and address pertinent client issues during shift change
10. Assist with closure of shelter client records in collaboration with shelter leadership
11. Provide coverage of the advocate office, including answering the business phone number and monitoring individuals entering and exiting shelter
12. Review safety and risk management planning and participation in information sharing during weekly team meetings
13. Participate in staff meetings and other meetings as needed
14. Facilitate/co-facilitate support and/or education groups as assigned
15. Performs general housekeeping responsibilities, as needed, including sweeping floors, taking out garbage, stocking supplies for residents, washing linens, sorting donations and putting them away

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Respect, understand, and promote Journey Center's mission, vision, values, and goals
2. Complete agency orientation and training to meet job requirements
3. Assumes other responsibilities and duties as directed or assigned

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience working in the areas of domestic violence and child abuse
2. Must have and maintain a valid Ohio driver's license with appropriate insurance coverage; Must maintain appropriate driving record
3. Must be available to work extended and non-traditional work hours; Have the ability to tailor work hours to the needs of families

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

1. Ability to make sensitive and insightful observations of individuals and to determine a course of intervention
2. Knowledge and compassion towards working with adults who have experienced domestic violence and/or child abuse
3. Knowledge of civil and criminal court system, crisis intervention practices, interviewing, community referrals and resources, crime victimization, victim's rights, and advocacy techniques; Show competent knowledge of agency and services provided
4. Knowledge regarding domestic violence safety issues
5. Knowledge of social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
6. Sensitivity to working with diverse cultures and language abilities
7. Computer skills with word processing, database management, e-mail, fax, Windows applications capabilities
8. Ability to address crisis situations which require prompt decision and action
9. Working knowledge of community resources available for adult/child victims of domestic violence
10. Ability to perform job duties with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
11. Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, functions, procedures, organization, and policies governing the operations of Journey Center for Safety and Healing
12. Ability to analyze problems and develop a plan of action/correction
13. Ability to organize work, engage in a variety of tasks, and consistently meet deadlines
14. Demonstrated sound judgment and outstanding interpersonal skills
15. Good written and verbal communication
16. Commitment to child abuse and domestic violence prevention
17. Experience in and commitment to building and supporting trauma informed organizations
18. Maintain a positive attitude
19. Ability to incorporate Journey Center's Values into assigned duties

Physical and Mental Demands

1. Ability to perform job responsibilities in a facility with multiple levels and without elevators
2. Must be able to provide services at various locations and provide client transportation using agency vehicles if needed
3. Communicate with others in person, electronically, or by phone on a consistent basis
4. Regular and predictable attendance

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Journey Center for Safety and Healing. Since no position description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the job holder's responsibility.