Safehouse Advocate, Every Other Weekend

About SARC

Founded in 1978, SARC has been a cornerstone of safety and support in Harford County. What started as a grassroots effort has grown into a comprehensive resource center offering shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and community education. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Grace, Safety, and Integrity - guide everything we do, and together, we work to end abuse and empower survivors.

About the Role

As a Safehouse Advocate, you will be the heart of our shelter - a steady, compassionate presence for survivors in crisis. You'll ensure a safe, welcoming environment while responding to urgent needs with grace under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of support for residents - greeting them, answering requests, and ensuring their needs are met.
• Conduct intakes and orientations to help survivors and their children settle into a safe space.
• Maintain the shelter's environment - restocking supplies, organizing donations, keeping common areas clean, and conducting security checks.
• Respond to crises with confidence, including answering the emergency hotline, safety planning, and providing emotional support.
• Work collaboratively with on-call staff to handle urgent situations and ensure residents receive the care they need.

Qualifications

• Commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Emotional maturity, flexibility, and attention to detail.
• Physical ability to climb stairs and occasionally lift bulky items.
• A valid driver's license with a clean driving record (you may need to drive the agency's van to pick up donated items).

Preferred: At least one year of experience in crisis intervention or a related field.

Skills

• Mission-Driven and Reliable - You believe in this work and show up, no matter what. Survivors need consistency.
• Resilient and Level-Headed - You don't back down in the face of crisis; you rise to the challenge.
• Adaptable and Solution-Oriented - Every day is different. You can think on your feet and adjust as needed.
• Compassionate, Yet Strong - You provide warmth and empathy while maintaining firm boundaries.
• Independent, Yet a Team Player - You know when to take charge and when to collaborate.

Schedule

Every other Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm

Pay

$20.00 per hour, plus a weekend shift differential of $2.00 per hour for hours worked between 8am and 8pm.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits including employer-paid health insurance for individual coverage (discounted premiums for family coverage), vision and dental options, and a $1,500 employer-paid HSA contribution.
• Paid time off you can actually use: 11 paid holidays, floating holidays, and up to 112 hours of vacation in your first year.
• Opportunities for growth and impact, including regular training on a variety of crisis-centered topics.
• A supportive team environment where we work together to support survivors - and each other.