Shelter Advocate

Overview

Description Would you like to be part of a mission driven organization that makes a difference in the lives of survivors of abuse in our community? Safehome is a nonprofit organization and domestic violence shelter. Our core purpose is to provide a healing atmosphere where survivors of domestic violence can gain inner strength, explore options, and be empowered to live a life free of abuse.

Our ideal candidate is dependable and caring; you must be comfortable talking on the phone and working with people, team oriented and a self-starter with day-to-day tasks.

Available Shift: This is a full-time position with a regular schedule of Friday-Monday, 2:00 pm-12:00 am.

Objective: The Shelter Advocate provides support for residential clients and answers hotline calls. Must have the ability to communicate well, actively listen and have good judgement.

• Hotline Responsibilities Include
• Actively listen and assess the needs of callers while providing support.
• Assist callers with safety planning and intentions for entering shelter by analyzing, interpreting and deducing active and potential lethality risk factors.
• Recommend services most appropriate.
• Show respect to all callers consistently and ethically on a daily basis.

• Shelter Responsibilities Include
• Conduct intakes with new residential clients.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records for each client, documenting resident behaviors, incidents, interactions, and progress in a consistent and ethical manner.
• Monitor building status and cleanliness, reporting malfunctions and ensuring building is kept clean.
• Monitor resident activity throughout shelter and manage conflict through appropriate intervention and communication with Case Managers.
• Identify barriers to success for shelter residents and communicate to Case Managers and Client Care Manager.
• Monitor and secure physical environment to maximize safety of residents and co-workers, implementing appropriate reactions to security threats as needed.
• Develop an understanding of agency and program policies and procedures, implementing appropriately and interpreting to residents and volunteers.
• Assist in maintaining adequate level of shelter supplies for residents.
• Conduct shelter walk throughs to ensure resident safety and check for facility needs.
• Complete appropriate agency forms to document critical incidents.
• Help maintain readiness of vacant rooms for future clients. Be willing to pack rooms.
• Handle food, including cooking, serving and cleaning.
• Keep office organized.

• Job performance will require the ability to move throughout the building as well as sit or remain stationary for extended periods of time.
• Effective computer literacy skills (Microsoft Office Suite, data entry skills, word processing, basic email skills, client management programs, etc.).
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including telephone, email, and social media etiquette.
• Must demonstrate sound judgement, prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently and resources effectively.
• Must understand the concept of boundaries with clients.
• Ability to work respectfully and professionally with diverse groups of people and various populations in a culturally competent manner.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required.
• Experience preferred.
• Must not have any unresolved emotional issues regarding personal current or past experience with abuse of any kind