Shelter Advocate Relief (As Needed) - Laura's House

Laura's House is dedicated to changing social beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate violence while creating a safe space to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.

About the Role

The Shelter Advocate ensures the safety and security of shelter residents. The primary responsibilities include providing crisis intervention, information, and referrals to individuals calling the 24-hour hotline, completing telephone intakes for those seeking access to the Emergency Shelter, providing access to Safety Net for eligible callers, and responding to client needs during evening and weekend hours.

Hours: As Needed (called to cover for vacation, sick, and holidays).

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention, information, and referrals to individuals calling the 24-hour hotline.
• Complete telephone intakes for individuals seeking access to Safety Net and/or Emergency Shelter.
• Provide access to Safety Net for eligible callers.
• Assist with Safety Net Assessment.
• Assist Client Services Coordinator as needed.
• Assist with Case Management and administrative duties as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution to residents as needed.
• Assist with childcare as needed.
• Supervise volunteers as needed.
• Enforce Emergency Shelter/Step Ahead policies and procedures.
• Enter statistical data for contract and other reporting requirements as needed.
• Preserve confidentiality of all client, staff, volunteer, and agency information.
• Represent the agency in a positive, professional manner at all times.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients and other staff.
• Maintain a tidy, organized work area.
• Participate in agency functions as a participant or presenter as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services or related field or equivalent experience preferred.
• Crisis intervention and/or services for domestic violence survivors preferred.
• Experience in residential settings preferred.
• 40-hour (DVAT) Domestic Violence Advocacy Training as required by law (may be completed after hire).
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and appropriate insurance.
• Fingerprinting; Drug and TB Test.

Skills

• Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Works well independently.
• CPR and First Aid.
• DVAT (Domestic Violence Advocacy Training) - may be completed after hire.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to feel and handle, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.