Living Skills Coordinator

Title:                    Living Skills Coordinator
 
Program:             Domestic Violence Shelter – Transitional Housing
 
Reports to:          Shelter Program Director
 
Steppin’ into the Light is a transitional housing program that offers housing to higher functioning individuals/families referred by the Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter. The program provides the following supportive services:
• Case Management • Savings Management
• Peer Counseling • Job Development
• Individual and Group Therapy • Household Establishment
• Parenting Classes • Social Service Advocacy
• Living Skills • Resources and Referrals
• Transportation  
 
 Essential Job Functions: 
  • Work with local community organizations and groups to develop life skills programming that includes, but is not limited to: financial literacy, employment skills, hygiene, health, food literacy, drug awareness, mental wellness, educational planning, tenant’s rights, first aid, relationship building, parenting skills, self-esteem, networking skills
  • Network within the domestic violence/transitional housing services community to raise awareness and build collaboration opportunities
  • Coordinate regular client events to encourage community building
  • Work in collaboration with Supervisor to develop and build linkages to like-minded agencies in the community and, thus, develop ongoing professional development opportunities for program staff
  • Follow ups, as needed, with community agencies to continue to build and grow program
  • Participate and assist outreach events
  • Attend Care Coordination meetings
  • Conduct groups structured to the needs of participants (i.e. parenting skills, life skills, resume writing, job search etc.)
  • Work with Case Manager to develop weekly meetings with residents in all houses and program to steer life skills program according to the needs of the clients
  • Assists with program development, implementation and evaluation
  • Assures quality service by documenting client activity, maintaining accurate statistical data, filling out forms and records in a timely manner and following all ethical and legal requirements;
  • Respond appropriately to clients’ 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 client to coordinate health, mental health, legal, employment, education, criminal/civil case, DPSS, GAIN, CalWORKs appointments
  • Transportation to hospital, metro link, etc. if needed
  • Provide Supervisor with weekly reports on current activities
  • Complete all paperwork and dailies by end of each shift
  • Conscientiously communicate information between shifts
  • Maintain and update referral book as necessary
  • Assist in the care and maintenance of the shelter
  • Assist in household chores – such as but not limited to: laundry, cleaning of bathrooms, kitchen, main room
  • Perform routine chores and cleaning task assigned by shift to ensure the safety and cleanliness of  the shelter facility
  • Log all in-coming calls, hotlines, messages, and possible problems in the agency logbook
  • Attend trainings and continuing education activities as assigned
  • Assist in confirming documentation standards in accordance with programs SRS and contract compliances monthly reports
  • Submits monthly reports including, but not limited to the number of sessions, attendance, activities and the various topics and themes that were addressed
  • Attend agency and program meetings
  • Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics
  • 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 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, sexual assault, human trafficking and immigration)
  • Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care, in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations
  • Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact homeless persons and related public funding sources, regulations, requirements, and procedures
  • Knowledge of best practice models for assisting domestic violence victims with varying degrees of needs/conditions and have a strong understanding of contractual requirements/compliance and applicable performance measures
  • Knowledge of resources including legal, medical, housing, educational and social service agencies and other resources in the community
  • Knowledge of community social service agencies and resources
  • 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;
  • Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy;
  • Ability to deescalate aggressive/agitated individuals
  • Able to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all residents;
  • Actively promote positive, nurturing interactions between participants
  • Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making
  • Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing; circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders
  • 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;
  • Ability to respond quickly and effectively to individuals who may be ill, using substances, lack of personal care in crisis situations and/or potentially hostile situations
  • Demonstrate the ability to utilize strong judgement and interpersonal skills to manage sensitive client interactions including with those who may be in distress with acute illness, substance use issues, co-morbidity of behavioral and physical health issues in addition to homelessness
  • Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters
  • Consider the impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction;
  • Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to client information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends and holidays
  • 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
  • Education may be substituted by years of experience
Agency Requirements:
  • Must have a valid California Driver’s License
  • Reliable transportation
  • Auto Insurance
  • Clean driving record
  • Employee will be required to complete a TB test, fingerprinting, drug screen (employment pending on drug screen, background and Motor Vehicle Report review), 72-hour Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault training and CPR/First Aid certification
Physical Demands & Work Conditions:
 
An employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job must meet physical demands described:
  • May be in contact with individuals in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not be attentive to personal hygiene and safety for themselves
  • 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.
 
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 Remote Work
Life Insurance 14 Observed Holidays  
 
* Remote Work: Valley Oasis considers Remote Work to be a viable, flexible work option when both the employee and the position are suited to such an arrangement and must meet eligibility requirements.
 
Schedule:
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (40 hours a week, days vary; must be able to work days, nights, weekdays, weekends and holidays
 
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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