Shelter Advocate

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 DAWN's 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 DAWN's 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 DAWN's 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 survivor's priorities and circumstances.
• Provide information, advocacy, and connections to resources related to emergency shelter, housing, basic needs, legal services, immigration services, mental health, children's 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 survivor's 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 child's 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.
• 1–2 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 DAWN's 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 driver's 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: