Shelter Advocate- Full Time

About the role

The Shelter Advocate provides empowerment-based, survivor-defined advocacy and support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and their families residing in the Emergency Shelter Program. The role also includes assisting with daily living needs, providing crisis intervention, and maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provides trauma-informed direct services to survivors and their children.
• Supports, advocates, and crisis intervenes for survivors.
• Maintains privacy and confidentiality of all participants.
• Facilitates cooperative living and peer support.
• Models and promotes positive interactions between adults and children.
• Assists with survivor-defined goals and communal living guidelines.
• Communicates shelter expectations and participates in shelter programming.
• Addresses emergencies and communal living issues.
• Assists with daily log entries and record keeping.
• Performs house checks, packs belongings, and sanitizes rooms.
• Collaborates with shelter leadership to manage emergency situations.
• Completes intakes, exit surveys, and paperwork.
• Attends agency and shelter meetings, trainings, and continuing education activities.

Requirements

• Two-year degree in human services-related field, preferred.
• Relevant work or lived experience may substitute for degree.
• Knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking issues.
• Experience working in a shelter setting, strongly preferred.
• Experience in crisis intervention strategies, preferred.
• Experience in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or related fields, preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and willing to learn new technology platforms.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree in human services-related field, preferred.
• Relevant work or lived experience may substitute for degree.
• Knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking issues.
• Experience working in a shelter setting, strongly preferred.
• Experience in crisis intervention strategies, preferred.
• Experience in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or related fields, preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and organizational abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and willing to learn new technology platforms.

Skills

• Knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, social services, and community resources.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with survivors and their families.
• Familiarity with Trauma-Informed Approaches, Ohio Rape Crisis Core Standards, and Crisis Intervention.
• Ability to remain calm and responsive in crisis situations.
• Ability to practice good self-care.
• Ability to respect confidentiality of information learned through providing services.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong professional ethics, including confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Supportive, positive, and empathetic personality.
• Excellent time management and multi-tasking.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic work environment.
• General knowledge of customer service skills.

Benefits

• Partially paid health insurance for employees, including dental and vision.
• Voluntary life insurance.
• Voluntary short- and long-term disability.
• Opportunity to apply for Registered Advocate (RA) status or other professional licenses.
• Participation in statewide domestic violence and sexual assault coalition collaborations, caucuses, and taskforces.

Pay

This position has a starting hourly rate of $16.50 with the opportunity to increase to $17.00 after 90 days, and is a full-time, non-exempt position.

Schedule

Work shifts may include days, evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays to ensure adequate coverage of the shelter program.