Shelter Advocate - Saint Paul, United States - 360 Communities

Description

Job Description

Provide phone crisis intervention, support and safety planning to individuals and families staying at the Lewis House emergency shelter or in the community who have experienced domestic abuse and/or sexual assault. This includes work done over the crisis line and/or in person. This position also completes day to day duties in shelter as needed. Shelter operates and is staffed 24/7. Benefits include paid vacation, sick and safe time, floating holiday hours, medical plan options, dental, vision and an employer matching retirement account.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Demonstrate commitment to the agency's mission statement and core values at all times. The mission statement is "360 Communities delivers safety and stability that improves lives."

1. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referrals, and ongoing support and services as needed to domestic and sexual violence victims/survivors and their family members. This includes work done in person with shelter residents, walk-ins, or over the phone in calls that come to our crisis line(s).
2. Provide holistic advocacy services and resources to Lewis House residents, including safety planning, child/adult education, community connections/resources, housing, financial, legal (excluding legal advice), building support networks, and other services/resources as apparent or identified in shelter intakes.
3. Complete follow-up from police reports/calls and assist victims/survivors with initial needs. This includes providing emotional support, resources, safety planning, assistance with protective orders, screening for safe housing, and more.
4. Complete and assist with day to day duties in shelter. This includes cleaning bedrooms/turnover, putting away food orders, assisting residents with daily chores, general cleaning for health/safety, making copies of needed forms/documents, accepting/sorting/distributing donations, working with volunteers, etc.
5. Respond to hospital calls at Fairview Ridges and Regina hospitals to provide support to victims/survivors during forensic exams as able during scheduled work times.
6. Depending on schedule/shift, training requirements, and program needs, Shelter Advocates may do the following:

• Facilitate and participate in group activities at Lewis House. This may include house meetings and planned family activities.
• Participate in weekly case consultation with other advocates, to discuss strengths and needs of residents at Lewis House.
• Facilitate educational support groups for victims/survivors
• Complete Housing Assessments with Lewis House Residents
• Complete Safe at Home Applications

1. Maintain accurate data for statistical purposes as well as narratives for service delivery provisions.
2. Participate in or offer feedback and/or ideas to various workgroups within the organization to help us continue moving in a forward direction with best practices for staff wellness, client services and other initiatives.
3. Actively participate and attend staff meetings, including 360 Communities All Staff Meetings, VPI Staff meetings, Shelter Team Meetings, and Reflective Supervision Groups.
4. Pursue training opportunities for ongoing professional development and to stay up to date on trends related to the work.
5. Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as the need is apparent or as requested or delegated.

Education and/or Experience

One to two years related experience working with victims of domestic and/or sexual violence. Bachelor's degree preferred, but experience in lieu of degree will be considered.

• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
• Completion of 40-hour sexual assault training prior to employment is preferred, but will help obtain if needed (within six months of employment)
• Experience being self-directed, motivated and ability to demonstrate non-judgmental professional decision-making skills.
• Experience with socially, economically and culturally diverse populations
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, and use of database systems.
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must have reliable transportation to attend off-site meetings/trainings

Professional Abilities and Skills

Interpersonal: Work with integrity. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Understand and comply with professional ethics and standards of practice. Contribute to building positive team spirit and put success of team above own interests. Recognize accomplishments of other team members. Seek increased responsibilities. Look for and takes advantage of opportunities. Ask for and offers help when needed.

• Work: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited direction may exist. Strive to continuously build knowledge and skills. Display original thinking and creativity. Include appropriate people in decision-making process. Adapt to changes, delays, or unexpected events in the work environment. Ability to keep accurate and complete work records. Support cost saving measures. Set and achieve challenging goals. Ability to provide supervision and coaching to support service volunteers.
• Time Management: Prioritize and plan work activities. Use time efficiently. Arrive punctually each workday; complete assigned tasks within required time frame.
• Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification. Present and interpret numerical data and written information effectively.
• Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others. Inspires respect, trust and motivates others to perform well and fulfill vision. Effectively influence actions and opinions of others. Accepts feedback from others. Provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates. Gives appropriate recognition to others. Displays passion and optimism.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver's license.
• Must possess Personal Auto Insurance limits of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 or a combined single limit of $300,000.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work is primarily done in a communal-living safe housing/shelter environment
  • The shelter environment includes working with a diverse group of participants/residents who have experienced trauma, have safety needs and a variety of other needs.
• Typical office environment, exposure to fax machines and copiers, computers, scanners and printers.
• Work requires a high level of emotional capacity.
• Requires hearing traumatic and personal life stories.
• Employee is subject to moderate noise level.
• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb stairs, bend, kneel, sit on the floor, use hands to write, type, use computers and lift up to 25 lbs.