Responsibilities and Duties

The Children Services Advocate is responsible for working with the Children Services Team to provide advocacy and facilitate deliverable [program] services. They serve as models for guests in the program while sharing hope and guidance throughout the program experience. The Children Services Advocate is directly involved with providing quality services to our guests in an environment of love, grace, dignity, and respect. A Children Services Advocate is someone who has agreed to assist the children and their parent(s) in their program journey.

• Under the leadership of the Children Services Manager and Director of Shelter Program maintain the Children Services Standard of Excellence
• Establish and build healthy Christ-honoring relationships with guests, while maintaining professional boundaries including guest confidentiality
• Pray with, advise, and direct the efforts of children relating to spiritual, personal, and program needs
• Provide a developmental environment, provide appropriate support for mental, emotional, academic, or physically challenged children, and provide tools to support the child’s emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts, provide services/activities
• In collaboration with the Children Services Manager, create multi-age lessons and activities that spiritual, mental, emotional, educational and physical growth of children
• In collaboration with the Children Services Manager plan recreational activities and social activities including outdoor programs, physical exercise, field trips and off-site activities (VBS, Zoo trips, etc.)
• Transport and/or accompany individuals and groups of children in assigned GRM vehicles only
• Monitor lessons of chapel speakers, assuring material is consistent with biblical principles detailed in Gospel Rescue Mission policies
• Read and teach them simple painting, drawing, crafts, and songs
• Provide age-appropriate meals and snacks for children as needed
• Instruct children in health and personal habits such as eating, resting, and toilet habits
• Dress children and change diapers
• Conduct regular dining room or playground monitoring
• De-escalate adverse situations, both physically and emotionally and appropriately redirect or initiate other measures to control behavior by providing age-appropriate crisis intervention and conflict resolution as needed
• Participate in caring for the safety and various needs of children
• Orient parents to Children Services Mission 101 new guest intake structure, values, and standards
• Provide support to volunteers assigned to Children Services
• Maintain thorough and timely guest records in MissionTracker, documenting services provided to children and/or parents, children incidents, mandated reporting, advocacy services, DSC requirements, observations about activities, meals served, and medications administered, 1:1 ministry,
• Attend meetings, and professional training as directed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Employment Status:

• Part-time 22.5 hours per week nonexempt; eligible for paid time off; eligible for dental, vision and Simple IRA 3% matching
• Part-time 22.5 hours per week nonexempt; eligible for paid time off; eligible for dental, vision and Simple IRA 3% matching
• Anticipate Flexible Schedules

Reports to: Guest Services Manager

Vacation Level: 1