Shelter Advocate- Casual chez YWCA Kalamazoo

Position: Shelter Advocate – Casual

Department: Victim Services - Shelter

Supervisor: Shelter Manager

Compensation: $20.00/hour, Advocate/Direct Services I Band

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Hours of Work: Overnight, Evening, and Weekends. Flexible response to program needs and as arranged by supervisor

Closure Status: Level 3

MISSION STATEMENT: 

Eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Shelter Advocate provides crisis intervention and creates a safe and welcoming environment for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking and their children by providing emotional support, connecting residents to resources, and facilitating activities in shelter to build community. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree in human services or related field or specialized training in domestic violence preferred. 
2. One-year experience in crisis intervention and residential service preferred. 
3. Must pass criminal, child abuse and neglect, and sex offender background checks.
4. Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and adept at de-escalation techniques 
5. Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.  
6. Demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.
7. Demonstrated ability to be empathetic and establish rapport.
8. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides crisis intervention and individual support. 
2. Answers agency crisis line and responds to client crisis needs. 
3. Links clients with community resources. 
4. Maintains confidential, accurate, and timely client records and documentation. 
5. Monitors building and shelter security systems and procedures. 
6. Provides admittance and intake of shelter residents; arranges alternate shelter, as needed. 
7. Coordinates and facilitates shelter programming activities including, but not limited to: field trips, recreational outings, in-shelter activities, co-location of community resources, and holiday celebrations.
8. Assists in activities related to daily shelter operations. 
9. Completes cleaning tasks assigned during scheduled shifts. 
10. Assures necessary maintenance and custodial functions, as needed. 
11. Safeguards confidential information gained as a result of the position. 
12. Complies with applicable local, state and federal licensing requirements/certification and or regulations. 
13. Complies with Association policy regarding required reporting of child abuse, elder abuse, suicide and homicide. 
14. As a YWCA employee, projects a positive image of the Association and its programs to the community.
15. Attends all team and staff meetings, participates in collective team and agency efforts, and complies with all YWCA Kalamazoo policies and practices.
16. Remains flexible and manages changing priorities on a continuing basis.
17. Knows and adheres to Association policies, procedures, and practices.
18. Safeguards confidential information gained because of the position.
19. Works cooperatively with program participants, YWCA staff and volunteers.
20. Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned. 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:                                                                          

1. YWCA assigned building
2. Occasional off-site locations; promotional events, networking events, community engagement events, etc.
3. Potential outdoor events 
4. Potential Actions: Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, some lifting
5. Frequently required to remain stationary
6. Frequently required to move
7. Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
8. Occasionally required to taste or smell
9. Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
10. Continually required to communicate and exchange accurate information
11. Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
12. Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions 
13. While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate-loud 
14. Occasionally work in high, precarious places
15. Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
16. The employee must frequently lift and /or move more than 25 pounds. 
17. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 50 pounds. 
18. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Ability to adjust focus; Depth Perception
19. Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: computer, copier, and motor vehicle 
20. Frequent travel to and from offsite locations and events 
21. Frequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens, airborne pathogens, or infectious materials
22. Additional remarks regarding work environment: ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 
23. Conditions are subject to occasional exposure to agitated or threatening individuals.
24. Irregular work hours may exist, including early morning, evening, weekends, holidays and on an on-call basis for emergencies.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
2. Racial Justice Training
3. Pronoun Training
4. Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
5. Other appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer