Advocate

YWCA Greater Cincinnati is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. This position plays a key role in supporting this mission through consistent and compassionate engagement.

YWCA Greater Cincinnati is committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ community. We are an equal opportunity employer and strive to foster an inclusive environment where all individuals feel respected and valued.

JOB SUMMARY

Being a YWCA Advocate means you get to contribute to our mission by maintaining a safe, secure, temporary shelter for adults and their children, who are survivors of intimate partner violence. We are always looking for passionate people to foster a positive, safe, and trauma-informed work environment for all. This position plays a key role in supporting the mission through consistent and compassionate engagement we are always looking to keep our talent pipeline full.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hotline / Phone Management:

• Answers overflow hotline calls during weekdays and all hotline calls on weekends and holidays.
• Provides crisis intervention, safety planning, and information/referral to callers as appropriate.
• Assists in maintaining resource/referral manual.
• Maintains electronic shelter records
• Takes messages for residents and staff.

Resident Support:

• Fosters positive, safe, and trauma-informed relationships with residents.
• Conducts initial welcoming process for new residents: orientation, tour, and forms.
• Provides emotional support as needed.
• Create and assist in maintaining shelter and resident electronic records.
• Assists residents in assessing their immediate and short-term needs.
• Assists residents with parenting support.
• Assists residents in working together to provide a safe, supportive environment.
• Offers crisis counseling, advocacy, and support to residents; communicate follow-ups with assigned Intervention Coordinator.
• Assists residents with arranging transportation when appropriate.
• Assists with unit turnover process and completes all necessary paperwork.

House Management:

• Maintains shelter security.
• Completes unit checks while on shift.
• Assists with coverage in welcome center.
• Meets residents’ material needs including hygiene products, food, over-the-counter medication, etc.
• Checks facility for cleanliness, safety, and security on a regular basis.
• Submit needed work orders through Limble internal support ticketing system.
• Collaborates with Operations.
• Report concerns to Lead Advocate.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Attends monthly team meetings and other meetings as requested by management team.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Lead Advocate and/or management team.
• Adheres to the mission, vision, and core values of YWCA Greater Cincinnati.
• Follows the policies and procedures of the Domestic Violence Shelter.
• Other duties as needed and assigned by Lead Advocate and/or management team. Clerical/General Administrative.
• Responds to routine email, phone calls, etc.
• Makes copies, prints documents, etc. as needed.
• Uploads resident documents utilizing program databases.

Key Relationships

Interacts with Advocate Manager, Client Services Manager, Director of Shelter Services, Senior Director, team members, residents, volunteers, and other community partners (i.e., schools, shelters, police, hospitals, etc.).

This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. There may be other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. Furthermore, the employer reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education/Experience

• High School Diploma/GED
• Passion and desire to support YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
• Flexible, compassionate, strong self-care practices, emotional maturity, positive attitude, confidence, and an understanding of the dynamics of intimate partner violence/domestic violence.

Preferred Education/Experience

• Associate or bachelor’s degree.
• A background or completed college courses in social work, psychology, sociology, or human services.
• A minimum of 1 year experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or intimate partner violence/domestic violence.
• BSW license.

Skills/Specialized Knowledge/Abilities

• Political and social sensitivity
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Office with expertise in Microsoft TEAMS, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to work independently.
• Detail oriented with strong administrative, organizational and computer skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work with individuals across the spectrum of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to facilitate a variety of group activities for individuals and families.
• Knowledge of office procedures and protocols.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Possible Working Hours/Environment

Full-time; 40 hours per week

The exact shift available will be confirmed if selected to move through the interview process. Standard shifts available are generally:

• 1st Shift – 7a-3p Sunday – Thursday or Tuesday – Saturday
• 2nd Shift - 3p-11p Sunday -Thursday or Tuesday - Saturday
• 3rd Shift - 11a-7p Sunday -Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday

Part-time; 16-25 hours per week, multiple possible shifts- Day or Evening

Tools and Equipment Used

• YWCA laptop, copier, fax/scanner, phone, walkie talkies, keys/badge, and other typical office equipment and supplies.

Physical & Mental Demands

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

• Frequently required to sit at a desk/workstation for long periods of time.
• Ability to work at a computer terminal for extended periods of time.
• Ability to walk stairs and floors throughout shift.
• Digital dexterity and hand/eye coordination in operation of office equipment.
• Light lifting and carrying of supplies, donations, etc.
• Ability to organize and sort closets, drawers, and other spaces.
• Ability to speak to and hear team members and residents via phone or in-person.
• Body motor skills sufficient to enable incumbent to move around the office and residential environment.
• Additional Mental Requirements: compare, decide, direct, problem solve, analyze, instruct, interpret, support, de-escalate.