Purpose and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Shelter Manager, the Bilingual Shelter Advocate provides immediate crisis counseling, advocacy, and support services to individuals contacting Lumina Alliance via the 24-hour crisis and information line or arriving in person. This role also supports both emergency and scheduled client needs, ensuring access to essential resources and services for individuals staying at our shelters.
Job Duties
- Provide immediate crisis counseling and case management to shelter clients and community clients in person and by phone during office hours.
- Provide housing, medical, personal advocacy and resource navigation as needed.
- Provide transportation and/or accompaniment services to clients at law enforcement interviews, shelter intake, court appointments, medical appointments (Forensic Medical Exam), detention facilities (such as jails or prisons), and in other situations as needed.
- Provide childcare for clients during counseling and other appointments, as needed.
- Assist clients in reaching self-sufficiency by providing individualized case management based on needs and goals set by clients
- Operate as a mandated reporter for suspicion of child abuse, elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, or neglect, as well as danger to self, and danger to others.
- Maintain and update client databases and client information.
- Provide crisis counseling support for volunteer advocates and staff on back-up shifts as needed during after-hours.
- Participate in regular all-staff meetings, other Lumina Alliance meetings, and attend collaborative meetings with partner agencies as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Experience in customer service, crisis intervention, case management, and client advocacy experience preferred.
- In addition, candidates should have excellent presentation and training skills.
Key Characteristics
- Knowledge of sexual assault and intimate partner violence issues, cultural awareness, listening skills, and basic crisis intervention techniques.
- Knowledge of housing, social services, and mental health resources in the county.
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Flexible, compassionate, and a team player. Must be able to work independently with little direct supervision and have excellent problem-solving skills
- Able to think clearly and respond appropriately in crisis situations
- Able to work effectively with diverse groups of people
- Possess strong written and verbal communication skills
- Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitivity to client’s privacy
- Able to establish and maintain effective work relationships
- Willingness to work flexible hours
Requirements
- Bilingual and bi-literate (English/Spanish) required
- All Lumina Alliance staff and volunteers must complete a live-scan background check (paid for by the agency)
- All staff and volunteers must complete the 65-hr California State Certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Crisis Counselor Training (provided as on-the-job training)
- Must posses a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation
- High school diploma or GED
- Preferred: associates degree in related field, human services, psychology, social sciences or sociology and/or education or experience working in victim services.
Reports to: Housing Director and the Shelter Manager
Hours: 40hrs/week, Full Time, Non-Exempt
Location: San Luis Obispo County
Salary Range: $21.00 - $23.64 with a $1/hour Bilingual DifferentialTo Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to Careers@LuminaAlliance.org
Benefits
- Generous health insurance benefits; silver tier plan premium for employee provided by employer
- Premium paid for dental and vision insurance by employer for employee coverage, life insurance plan
- IRA Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
- Paid Time Off including 16 paid holidays
- Opportunities to accrue additional PTO
- Various engaging internal committees on paid time, such as the Fun Committee, DEI Committee, and many others
- Family friendly workplace and generous pet accommodations
- Opportunities for growth within Organization
- Pet Friendly / Family Friendly Work Policy
About Lumina Alliance
Lumina Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created by the merging of RISE and Stand Strong in July 2021. Their mission is to empower those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence through innovative advocacy, healing, and prevention programs. Services include 24/7 crisis and information line, case management, restraining order assistance, legal assistance, accompaniment and advocacy, emergency shelters, transitional housing, individual and group therapy, and robust prevention education. For more information, please visit www.LuminaAlliance.org
Lumina Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
Lumina Alliance is a Drug Free Workplace.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Cell phone reimbursement
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person