POSITION SUMMARY: Resident Advocates provide trauma-informed direct services to victims of domestic violence and their children receiving shelter services, including; support, advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, parenting support, information and referrals. Provides assistance with the Crisis Hotline by assessing callers’ level of risk to determine eligibility for shelter admission or appropriate referrals.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: includes the following:
Assist shelter residents with daily living needs, providing general support and shelter coverage, conducting intake assessments, resident orientations, maintaining and updating the client database, preparing rooms for new residents and conducting safety checks.
Provides immediate response to Crisis Hotline callers using empathetic listening, risk assessment, safety planning, and education to provide appropriate client-centered interventions to address callers’ immediate needs.
Provides quality residential care that includes engaging residents in shelter services, providing client-centered support and intervention, and effectively handling resident concerns using a trauma informed approach.
Utilize strong de-escalation and empowerment skills to best support survivors and families impacted by domestic violence and to minimize the effects of secondary trauma.
Assess the needs of the shelter community to ensure the safety of residents, staff, and the building with minimal direct supervision.
Maintains a working knowledge of fire, safety, and health standards to assure a safe work environment for residents and staff.
Coordinate with other Victim Services staff and community service providers (case managers, counselors, law enforcement, medical professionals, etc.) to address immediate needs of residents.
Monitor shelter inventory and stock by assessing supplies needed for the shelter and reporting to Lead Resident Advocate/Coordinator.
Provides peer-to-peer training, support and guidance to new employees, volunteers and interns.
Supports and contributes to a collaborative and respectful work culture that promotes cooperation and teamwork to achieve program goals and objectives.
Performs basic administrative tasks, including filing incident report summaries, completing daily shift logs, answering phones, receiving and distribution of client mail, and assisting residents with basic needs.
Plan and facilitate activities for shelter residents including weekly house meetings, family enrichment, and shelter events.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with staff and residents.
Adhere to agency policies and work rules, including strict adherence to confidentiality policies and code of ethics.
Attend and participate in all staff meetings, trainings, conferences, and meet regularly with supervisor to exchange pertinent information and receive supervision.
OTHER DUTIES In accordance with the team philosophy of the agency may routinely be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed above.
Must act in accordance with the agency's mission statement and goals.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No direct supervisory responsibilities. Assists in training new staff, interns and/or volunteers. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social work, sociology or similar with six months of experience working in a residential facility, shelter, or similar environment or an Associate’s Degree with two years any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, and interpret documents such as operating manuals and professional journals. Ability to write routine reports, correspondence and appropriate notes. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients. If hired as a bilingual provider, then all language skills must be as proficient in Spanish as English as demonstrated by testing if necessary.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Understanding of and ability to work with statistical data.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Current valid Texas driver's license required and client proof of auto liability insurance required.
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 this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequent prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and stair climbing. Occasional reaching, lifting up to 25 pounds, and stooping. Some flexibility in work schedule required. Occasional travel.
Must be able to drive during daytime and nighttime hours
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of crisis intervention and the stress that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Frequent exposure to communicable diseases. Occasional exposure to irritating or caustic substances. Occasional exposure to clients with addiction disorders or psychiatric disorders.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. SafeHaven reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Software Powered by iCIMS
www.icims.com