Shelter Advocate

I. JOB SUMMARY

This person should know, understand, and support the mission of Christos House. The Shelter Advocate is responsible for all support/direct services (short-term strategies for intervention) to survivors of domestic and sexual violence; the foremost responsibility is to facilitate each shelter resident’s and nonresident participant’s immediate plan of action. The advocate works with the participant from the initial point of contact on the issues of crisis intervention, domestic and sexual violence education and specific short-term goals to make the participant and their children physically and emotionally safe. This position requires the ability to work independently, ability to accomplish goals, be a clear communicator, be patient, have flexibility, provide excellent service, and to travel between counties of service.

II. QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education

· Required high school diploma or equivalent

· Required leadership experience

· Preferred College degree or 1 years’ experience in a related field

B. Other

· Valid MO Driver’s License

· Meets all MO state statutes/guidelines of being an insured driver

· Reliable transportation

· Able to pass a background check

C. Skills

· Strong understanding of the issue of domestic and sexual violence

· The ability to work with people of various ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds

· The ability to remain patient and calm during stressful situations

· Excellent verbal and written communication

· Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, etc.)

· Recordkeeping

· Public Speaking

D. Personal Characteristics

· Friendly & Polite

· Integrity

· Organized

· Accountable

· Self-motivated

· Problem Solving

· Maintain Positive Interpersonal relationships

· Dependable

· Ability to Multitask

III. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

· Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment

· Driving to supported county locations (eight counties) is required

· Lifting up to 35 pounds

IV. Core Mission Principles

A.) Mission Driven

· Team Work

· Results Oriented

· Commitment to Organization

· Communication

B.) Exhibits Professional Conduct

· Flexibility

· High Integrity

· Initiative

C.) Concerned for Safety

· Attentive to client’s activity

· Daily Housekeeping duties

· Maintain Organized and Safe living conditions within Shelter

V. Duties

· Provides coverage and back-up for the 24-hour hotline

· Screens and conducts initial intake with all individuals requesting services

· Conducts intake interviews and provides orientation and follow-up to new shelter residents and non-resident clients

· Provides follow-up to new and established participants

· Provides survivors with crisis intervention, ongoing crisis peer counseling and domestic/sexual violence education, including empowerment/self-advocacy education

· Provide advocacy for survivors (outreach) wit primary service providers, such as Law Enforcement, the Missouri Court System, Division of Family Services, and Hospitals, etc.

· Assist survivors in filing for ex-partes, protection orders, and Crime Victims Compensation, as appropriate

· Provide the services of the Case Manager, when necessary due to staffing patterns

· Conduct exit interviews with survivors and provide follow-up as needed

· Accurately make daily entries in record-keeping logs and case files

· Provide instructional classes to survivors and the public on Parenting, Life-Skills, Healthy Relationships, Time Management, Budgeting, Meal Preparation, etc. as needed to assist clients in accomplishing their goals

· Participate in the presentation of volunteer trainings, in-service trainings, and related volunteer functions

· Attends relevant staff meetings, in-service, and trainings relevant to the position

· Provide relevant monthly statistics

· Participates in an on-call rotation

· Provides shift coverage as needed, including holiday coverage as required

· Ensure that precautions are taken to provide security and confidentiality

· Understand and adhere to Christos House, Inc. policies and procedures

· Other duties as assigned by the Shelter Supervisor

VI. Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Shelter Supervisor

VII. Interrelationships: Board of Directors, Executive Director, Shelter Supervisor, and Staff

VIII. Base Salary

· Part-Time

· Dependent on Experience and Years of Service

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
All employees are encouraged to be vaccinated but those who are not are required to wear face masks while in Christos House, Inc. facilities and while performing Christos House, Inc. duties.

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location