Shelter Advocates

Job Description

Job Description

DC SAFE is currently recruiting Shelter Advocates.

SALARY IS $26.44 hr

Job Description:

The shifts we are recruiting for cover non-traditional hours, weekdays, weekends, and overnight hours. This is an in-person position.

Description: Advocates offer direct services to victims of domestic violence on a 24/7 calendar and at various entry points, including but not limited to DC SAFE's 24-hour 800 number, ride-along, on-call, in the DVICs, in Court, and at DC SAFE's Crisis Shelter. Advocates primarily assist DC SAFE clients through direct services and programmatic duties.

General Direct Client Services:

• Assess every client for lethality and assist in devising an advocacy plan and a DC safety plan as part of DC SAFE critical incident response.
• Provide immediate tangible crisis intervention resources and facilitate Continuum Partners access.
• Guide clients through the civil and criminal justice process, with the central concern always being the clients' immediate safety and self-determination.
• Provide information and assistance about navigating the Civil Justice System, such as but not limited to evidentiary requirements for obtaining an ETPO/TPO/CPO; how to access the DVICs; the process of service; enforcement of Civil Protection Orders; and victim's rights.
• Provide information and assistance about navigating the Criminal Justice System, such as but not limited to how and when to contact the USAO screener; information on rights and responsibilities concerning victim witnesses; how to provide information about violations to USAO; information about the status of a case, holds, releases to ensure safety.
• Provide information to and get information from MPD, USAO, and CSOSA regarding the status of violations, supervision, and the location of both the client and defendant.
• Provide clients with soft referrals and maintain referral mechanisms for DC SAFE with an end towards coordinating a community response to client needs.
• Report back on client concerns, trends, and needs, as well as partner concerns and needs.
• Advocate for or assist clients in advocating for themselves by providing general legal/systems information. This includes helping with and writing letters and complaints on the client's behalf.
• Facilitate clients' access to the DC SAFE Space Shelter.
• Assist clients in applying for Crime Victims Compensation.

Shelter Advocate: Provide primary coverage in the DC SAFE shelter. Shelter Advocates offer support, advocacy, and safety planning to shelter clients during their stay in the shelter.

• Ensure that the DC SAFE shelter runs smoothly: safety check, collaboration with support staff, and facilitate building maintenance.

• Provide information, referrals, letters of recommendation, and broad-based advocacy for victims to increase their access to social service programs.
• Assist with the coordination and facilitation of client intakes and exits, as well as ensuring quality client interactions.
• Implement and enforce shelter rules.
• Support interns and volunteers.

General Programmatic Duties:

• Assist the organization in implementing systems advocacy plans, projects, programs, policies, and procedures.
• Diligently maintain client records and DC SAFE databases.
• Gather and analyze statistical information on clients, services, and trends.
• Participate in training to enhance knowledge of domestic violence.
• Participate in community outreach, media campaigns, and training with community organizations. Attend community meetings/training/events as necessary. Network with members of the community and assist in recruiting volunteers.
• Assist with 40-hour training for volunteers/interns/staff.
• Attend staff meetings, training, and case review meetings.

As Necessary:

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with various concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret multiple instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: Knowledge of Google Suite, spreadsheets, email, database software, and contact management.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This job may be performed in office environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee must frequently stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include far and close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Background and Experience

• 1-2 years of Experience with crisis intervention work.
• Applicants with mandatory 40-hour advocacy training completed are preferred.

· Experience with domestic violence issues and DC social service resources.

· Attention to detail and the ability to closely follow protocol and procedures is a must.

· Experience working with law enforcement is preferred.

· Comfortable working with diverse populations.

· Experience with the criminal and civil legal system is preferred.

· Must successfully pass background and drug tests

· Essential Skills

• Attention to Detail: Closely follows protocol and procedures and achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern for all the areas involved.
• Problem-solving: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyzes data to produce insights, and generates wise, actionable recommendations.
• Project management: Oversees and structures complex projects, plans backward, and ensures quality end-products are delivered on or ahead of schedule, without crises.
• Communications: Produces strong written documents, edits documents effectively, and engages in effective verbal communication.
• External Relations: Serves as an effective ambassador, builds connections, and maintains relationships with outside constituents.
• Creating an inspiring team environment with an open communication culture

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential function (job duty). The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

How to apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional manager references (for each, include name, current title, phone number, and email address). C/O Gloria Nokes, Human Resources. Include the position title in the subject line. The positions are open until filled. The salary is $26.44 an hour. Benefits include sick, vacation, holidays, life insurance, EAP, FSA, Personal days, 403b, medical, dental, and vision.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. DC SAFE's policy is that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

No phone calls, please.

DC SAFE is the only 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence in Washington, DC. Our mission is to ensure the safety and self-determination of domestic violence survivors through emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform. Send resumes to View email address on ziprecruiter.com.

Company Description

DC SAFE is the only 24/7 crisis intervention agency for domestic violence in Washington, DC. Our mission is to ensure the safety and self-determination of domestic violence survivors through emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform. Send resumes to View email address on ziprecruiter.com.