POSITION TITLE: Shelter Advocate
DESCRIPTION: EPEC has been serving victims and survivors of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, and teen relationship violence in the Eastern Panhandle since 1977. Our shelter is currently seeking a compassionate, trauma-informed full time shelter advocate for our Monday through Friday 7am-3pm. The ideal candidate will be dependable, self-motivated, and have excellent professional/ethical boundaries and communication skills. Relevant degree and/or experience in social work, psychology, social services, or related fields preferred.
SUPERVISED BY: Director of Shelter Services
Executive Director
SALARY: $16 per hour, with raises based on tenure, professional development, and performance.
QUALIFICATIONS: Associates degree preferred. Experience can substitute education. Must demonstrate reasonably good writing skills and must demonstrate ability to relate well with people. Must be capable of handling emergencies. Must demonstrate dependability. Must have experience working with children and families.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES: The Shelter Advocate will provide supervision for in-house clients in accordance with the mission of the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center.
DUTIES: Include but not limited to
· Interview new resident clients; check in clients, and complete intake forms including an initial safety plan.
· Interview clients as they exit the shelter and provide safety-planning information, as well as insuring they are passed (warm hand off) to an outreach advocate for continued services
· Participate in back up on call cycle
· Be available to work other shifts in the case of call offs or illnesses
· Answer hotline and respond appropriately with crisis counseling, information, and referral. Complete hotline response forms. Be familiar with referral information pertinent to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and dating violence
· Record all incoming and outgoing calls on the daily telephone log sheet, as these calls are a part of monthly reporting of grantor’s required information
· Assist staff in monitoring the clients’ situations by completing a shift log on in-house activities and reporting all direct care of clients
· Perform individual case management paperwork on all clients served, documenting significant client contacts appropriately
· Complete shift duties check list and perform all necessary tasks
· Coordinate daily, weekly, and monthly housekeeping responsibilities of the clients. Check that work has been completed
· Complete daily shift work and communicate the completion in the communication log
· Assist other staff in any client program, counseling or education
· Participate in groups, house meetings, and staff meetings
· Work with volunteers when in the facility
· Orient clients regarding shelter rules and policies
· Assist clients with clothing needs and personal supplies
· Provide peer counseling and mediation with clients
· Oversee clients’ of prescription and over the counter medication. Ensure that medication remains secured and locked at all times
· Supervise the care and maintenance of equipment and supplies
· Assist in training of new Shelter Advocates and Volunteers
· Participate in staff meetings and in-service training opportunities
· Perform any and all other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Shelter Services or Executive Director
· Comply with all policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors and/or Executive Director
· Achieve and/or maintain Certified Domestic Violence Advocate status
· Attend at least two (2) WVCADV advocate certification trainings each year as required by FPSB for licensure, these trainings may require travel.
Additional duties of midnight shift and weekend shift:
· Complete filing and paperwork as requested from the administrative office
· Complete data entry
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evening shift
- On call
Work Location: In person
