Title:                    Advocate
 
Program:             Domestic Violence Services
 
Reports to:          Program Management
 
The emergency shelter is open 24-hours a day. With a 65-bed capacity, the shelter provides services to men, women and children of all ages who are victims of domestic violence. The shelter provides shelter to victims from around the world due to being one of the first shelters in the country to provide services to men. The shelter assist an average of 330 people per year. The following supportive services are provided to victims:
 

24-hour hotline	Response to hospital emergency room calls
Safety Plans & Emergency Safety Moves	Transportation
Case Management	Counseling for children
Peer Counseling	Social service advocacy
Emergency food and clothing	Court advocacy/accompaniment
Response to law enforcement calls	Household establishment
Legal assistance with temporary restraining orders/permanent restraining orders

Essential Functions:

• Deliver crisis intervention and referrals via a 24-hour hotline, ensuring confidentiality and support for those experiencing domestic violence
• Prioritize the transfer of emergency hospital calls to on-call advocates when needed.
• Perform shelter intakes and brief incoming participants on guidelines and expectations.
• Assess each victim/survivors for issues related to risk of further abuse; provide safety plan and coordinate necessary needs
• Ensure victims/survivors and their children receive necessary services including case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, parenting support, and referrals.
• Assist in obtaining services with agencies and service providers in the community who can assist in providing support that address housing and legal needs, immigration remedies, emergency food, clothing and other needs
• Provide case management with a focus on empowering survivors that includes weekly goal meetings with survivors and develop survivor-centered case management plans. Assist in housing search, obtaining permanent housing, financial literacy, job readiness, benefit access and budgeting
• Interact with residents utilizing a trauma informed care approach while maintaining professional boundaries at all times and actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between adults and children
• Intervene and mediate all inter-resident disputes using effective communication skills and conflict resolution skills
• Report any resident infractions/violations to supervisors immediately
• Provide court accompaniment, as necessary
• Maintain accurate records, ensuring paperwork is completed by the conclusion of each shift.
• Uphold ethical and legal requirements while documenting all resident activity/interaction and maintain accurate statistical data.
• Complete exit paperwork for participants moving out:​ Prepare shelter space for incoming participants by cleaning/sanitizing rooms after residents move out.
• Facilitate and/or conduct support groups based on participants' needs (i.e., parenting skills, life skills, resume writing, etc).
• Empower participants to attend and actively participate in groups
• Coordinate appropriate responses to participants’ individual needs for material essentials, information, and access to community resources.
• Facilitate transportation if needed and when available to appointments related to health, mental health, legal, education, social services, hospital, metro link, etc.
• Provide ongoing service planning with residents and maintain written records of all service plans and achievements
• Respond appropriately to residents individual needs for clothing, necessities and supplies, as well as their needs for information, referral and access to community resources to assist with self-sufficiency
• Assist and empower resident to act as their own advocate to coordinate health, mental health, legal, employment, education, criminal/civil case, DPSS, GAIN, CalWORKs appointments-
• Monitor shelter grounds security system and assist with conflict resolution
• Responsible for all security precautions; keep all doors secured, screen all visitors and ascertain their identity and maintain telephone security ensuring all precautionary measures are adhered to
• Monitor all residents while they are in shelter and ensure all policies are followed
• Assist with maintaining the care and cleanliness of the shelter.
• Perform routine chores to ensure safety and cleanliness of shelter facility, such as but not limited to: laundry, cleaning of bathrooms, kitchen, main room, etc.
• Conscientiously communicate information between shifts
• Maintain and update referral book as necessary
• Complete ground and resident room checks
• Log all in-coming calls, hotlines, messages, and possible problems in the agency logbook;
• Support and attend Agency & program events and continuing education activities as needed and or assigned.
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics- Support agency events and uphold agency policies and procedures.
• Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the agency’s goals and/or program outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of trauma informed supportive services for domestic violence, teen dating violence and intimate partner violence
• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care and the dynamics of domestic violence
• Knowledge of issues facing domestic violence victims (e.g. substance abuse, mental health, parenting support, sexual assault, human trafficking and immigration)
• Knowledge of resources including legal, medical, housing, educational and social service agencies and other resources
• Knowledge of best practice models for assisting victims with varying degrees of needs/conditions
• Knowledge of community social service agencies and resources
• Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances
• Ability to handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted
• Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making
• Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy
• Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals
• Actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between participants
• Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrate the ability to research, develop and/or revise existing strategies that will be effective with the target population
• Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers
• Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Considers impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner)
• Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google drive
• Strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment, while exercising sound judgment.
• Able to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends and holidays when needed
• Must have ability to work under conditions requiring flexibility and team member response to crisis
• Able to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants
• Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers and staff
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required

Qualifications & Experience:

• High School Graduate or equivalent
• Associate degree in human services related field strongly preferred
• Two year experience in social services setting; preferably working as an employee or volunteer in providing victims services
• Experience in a residential facility setting strongly preferred
• Experience working with trauma survivors
• Experience working with domestic violence issues

Agency Requirements:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation
• Auto Insurance
• Clean driving record
• Employment pending drug screen, background check and driving record 

Work Conditions & Physical Demands
 
The following are work conditions that one may encounter in the course of performing their job duties:

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis
• May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care
• May experience crisis situations and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:
 
Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind; lift at least 10lbs.
 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.
 
Benefits

Health	Employee Assistance Plan	Paid Sick
Dental	AFLAC	Paid Vacation
Vision	Cafeteria 125 Plan	Personal Days
Acupuncture/Chiropractic	Retirement Plan
Life Insurance	14 Observed Holidays

 
Schedule:
Flexible schedule - 40 hours a week, days vary; must be able to work days, nights, weekdays, weekends and holidays
 
Salary:
$19.00 - $21.00 per hour **based on experience
 
An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.
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