Weekend Lead Advocate

Mission:

The mission of The Women's Center is to provide safety, shelter, and support to empower all impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, and trafficking.

Summary:

The Weekend Lead Advocate supports the safe, effective, and trauma-informed operation of shelter services during weekends, holidays, and other assigned shifts. This position assists with the adherence to organizational expectations and scheduling of shelter advocates, volunteers, and interns while ensuring continuous coverage of the emergency shelter and 24-hour hotline.

This role provides leadership during assigned shifts, supports quality client services, promotes a safe and welcoming environment, and helps ensure compliance with agency policies and program standards.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Staff and Program Support

• Ensure shelter advocates, volunteers, and interns adhere to agency policies and procedures.
• Assist in the scheduling and support of shelter advocates, volunteers, and interns to ensure adequate coverage of the shelter and 24-hour hotline.
• Provide direct coverage for shelter and hotline shifts when vacancies or staffing needs arise.
• Support staff in maintaining accurate, timely, and complete client documentation and service records.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration among staff to address client and program needs.
• Ensure and support a positive, productive team environment.

Client Services

• Ensure clients receive trauma-informed, survivor-centered services, including:
• Crisis intervention
• Safety planning
• Emotional support
• Advocacy
• Information and referrals
• Follow-up services
• Build supportive relationships with clients while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Assist in resolving conflicts and mediating interpersonal issues among residents.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all clients.

Shelter Operations and Safety

• Conduct regular rounds to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of shelter residents and staff.
• Help ensure the smooth, orderly, and efficient operation of all shelter programs and services.
• Ensure policies and procedures are adhered to and implemented consistently by all staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Monitor compliance with agency policies, safety procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies, crises, and safety concerns.
• Promote a safe and respectful environment for residents, visitors, volunteers, and staff.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records, reports, and program statistics in accordance with agency requirements.
• Complete required documentation in a timely and professional manner.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support the mission and goals of the organization.

Qualifications:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, and neglect.
• Experience providing services to survivors of trauma.
• Strong crisis intervention, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation abilities.
• Ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of diverse audiences and individuals in crisis.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and electronic documentation systems.
• Strong organizational, time management, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated active listening skills and ability to build trust with clients and colleagues.
• Strong critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making abilities in fast-paced environments.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally responsive practices.

Education/Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a shelter, residential, crisis intervention, or related human services environment.
• Previous supervisory, lead worker, or volunteer management experience preferred.
• Experience working in a nonprofit environment preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read, write, communicate, and comprehend English.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to assess complex situations, exercise sound judgment, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate alternatives, and make decisions in crisis and non-crisis situations.

Schedule Requirements

• This position requires regular weekend, and occasional holiday coverage.
• Flexibility is required to meet program and staffing needs.
• Participation in on-call coverage may be required.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Physical demands

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

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to ambulate up and down stairs.
• Walking throughout the shelter residence and movement between various buildings is required.