Job Title: Shelter Advocate

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Shelter Manager

Job PurposeProvide trauma-informed services and support to individuals who are experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence and/or homelessness.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities• Provide all services in accordance with a woman-defined, empowerment model.
• Answer crisis hotline calls and assist callers by providing safety planning, crisis intervention, education and information/referral.
• Triage requests for shelter services and complete Lethality Assessment, as appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention, safety planning and/or assistance with completing ex-parte applications to walk-in victims of domestic and/or sexual violence.
• Complete intake paperwork and orientation for new shelter residents.
• Provide services and support to shelter residents throughout their stay.
• Provide assistance with needs/issues related to group living.
• Assist with conflict resolution and mediate disagreements, as appropriate.
• Maintain safety and security of residents and shelter facility.
• Prompt compliance with shelter guidelines and take corrective action as needed.
• Assist with packing vacated resident rooms, cleaning, preparing/serving resident meals and similar tasks necessary for the operation of shelter.
• Document all services provided and enter information into database within 3 days of service
provision.
• Maintain statistics and complete reports as assigned.
• Complete filing, data entry/stats and maintain resident records in collaboration with Data Services Specialist and Shelter Manager.
• Participate in team meetings, professional development activities and trainings as assigned.
• On-Call duties as assigned.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications• Bachelor’s degree in human services field or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Experience working in human services field preferred.
• Knowledge of domestic & sexual violence dynamics preferred.
• Intermediate computer skills required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to relate well to diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.
• Must be able to pass State Child Abuse/Neglect screening & Criminal Background Check.

Working Conditions• Full-time-forty (40) hours per week
• Employee works in an office environment and is protected from weather conditions and contaminants.
• Some on-call responsibilities possible on a rotating basis.

Physical Requirements• Standing or sitting for long periods, bending, stooping and occasional lifting.
• Repetitive hand motion (such as typing).
• Ability, on a consistent basis, to perform activities requiring cooperation, instruction, persuasion or speaking with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and on the telephone with consumers.
• Ability to monitor resident activities and security systems.

Personal CharacteristicsThe successful individual will demonstrate the following:
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and professional boundaries and ensure own behavior is consistent with professional ethical standards.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the organizations goals of empowering women and eliminating racism.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand and respond to the needs of participants.

• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the participant and the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals and track details/data/information/activities.
• Technological Aptitude: Understand software applications and maintain skills necessary to effectively perform key responsibilities through use of company utilized programs.

***YWCA St. Joseph provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.***