JOB TITLE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATE

STATUS: Temporary Full-time, Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Housing Services manager

SALARY: $22.00-23.99/hour

Shift Covered: 3PM-11PM

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ROLE: The Domestic Violence Advocate is responsible for working as part of a team providing services to survivors of domestic violence and performing related work as required including direct case management, responding to callers on the crisis hotline during business and after-hours; assisting with the intake for women and children seeking shelter services; distributing information about agency programs and services; providing referrals to community legal, medical and social services, and ensuring a safe environment within a 24-hour domestic violence shelter. At all times the postholder will maintain the integrity of the DV Shelter and the YWCA by adopting a professional and inclusive demeanor and acknowledge that DV is a human rights violation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide confidential medical, legal or general advocacy for individuals who are victims of domestic violence using a Trauma Informed Practice approach;

• Provide crisis intervention support to victims of domestic violence and Human trafficking;

• Participate in the implementation of all shelter program procedures and protocol, including client engagement health and safety;

• Contribute to whole team decision making on approving client admission;

• Follow best practice in case management as determined by Shelter Services Manager;

• Participate in maintaining a rotating 24-hour coverage on the agency’s crisis line and shelter staffing rota to include overnight and weekends when needed;

• Answer forwarded crisis line call and take on-call responsibility if and when scheduled;

• Respond to emergencies at night as needed;

• Assist in advocating on behalf of clients in different tiers of YWCA Monterey County Housing programs; Ensure effective communications between vendors, donors, volunteers;

• Manage resources for DV Shelter residents including food, transportation, food bank, and in-kind donations;

• Assist with shelter operations, maintenance, repairs, overall facility cleanliness, pick up shelter-related donations, and purchase of food and supplies, as necessary;

• Assist with intakes and assessments with potential shelter residents when appropriate;

• Maintain clear and concise client files and records, and assist in gathering statistical information in compliance with funding requirements;

• Attend mandatory staff meetings, training sessions, and other agency meetings as required;

• Actively participate in ongoing learning opportunities in line with YWCA Monterey County’s Learning Environment;

• Maintain effective working relationships with other agency staff, volunteers, clients, and other community organizations;

• Work with whole team to ensure client safety planning is developed and implemented;

• Maintain confidentiality policies related to client information;

• Other duties related to the specific classification as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bilingual/Bicultural (Spanish/English) preferred.

• Minimum of a high school diploma and previous experience in social services or related area; candidates working towards associate’s/BA preferred;

• One year of relevant experience providing client services in a similar environment;

• Completion of 40-hour domestic violence training program and 40-hour Human trafficking training (agency will provide on-job training);

• Knowledge of intimate partner violence and community resources;

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing;

• Availability to work flexible hours, including some weekend and evening hours;

• Ability to work with people of diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, socio-economic backgrounds;

• Experience maintaining personal/professional boundaries;

• Valid California driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and reliable personal transportation;

• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and volunteer management.

FUNCTIONS

• Serve as liaison between DV Shelter residents and confidential community services where appropriate;

• Provide trauma-informed services and information to crisis hotline callers and shelter residents;

• Participate in and provide services to survivors of domestic violence including crisis intervention, assessment, advocacy, emergency transportation, information and referrals as needed;

• Participate in maintaining a rotating 24-hour coverage on the agency’s crisis line and shelter facility.

CORE COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

YWCA employees are team members who believe passionately in the work to support victims of domestic violence. The entire team, at its core, exhibit the following competencies:

• Deal effectively with ambiguity

• Compassion

• Adaptability

• Able to prioritize for self and clients

• Action oriented

• Solution focused

• Participate and build effective and accountable teams

• Transparency

• Client focused

• Empathy but boundaried

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• During working hours, employee may sit or stand for long periods.

• Lift objects up to 50 pounds from floor to waist level and carry for brief periods;

• Bend and stoop while filing or sorting through donations

• Twist and reach while working at safe house location;

• Must pass a TB clearance and background ID check, clean DMV record

• Ability to travel within Monterey County when required.