Safehouse Relief Advocate

About us

Alternatives to Violence provides shelter, advocacy, education and resources for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Since 1982, Alternatives to Violence has offered victims the opportunity to heal both emotionally and physically in a supportive environment. Each year, we provide emergency shelter, safety planning, advocacy, information and referrals to local resources, crisis intervention, and housing resources to over 800 people.

Title: Residential (Safehouse) ReliefAdvocate (Victim Advocate I)

Reports to: Residential Program Manager

Hours: Various shifts for relief coverage which may include (Shifts may vary from 4 to 10 hours):

Morning- 7:00am to 3:30pm

Swing- Varies

Evening-1:00pm to 9:30pm

Overnight- 9:00pm to 7:30am

Salary: $19.10/hour

Purpose: The SafeHouse Relief Advocate’s primary responsibility is to respond to the needs of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault residing in the shelter. Duties include providing support, advocacy, options, safety planning, referrals and community resources to SafeHouse residents. The SafeHouse Relief Advocate also assists with the daily operations of the SafeHouse. Duties may be carried out while acting as a substitute for shelter staff or when serving as additional support staff for full-time staff. Minimum hours are not guaranteed. Shifts can be accepted as needed depending on availability, however 2 shifts a month is required.

Essential Functions:

• Performs eligibility screenings, intake processes, safety planning, crisis intervention, assessment for services, and community referrals to SafeHouse residents.
• Assists in completing required reports for files and services in a timely and accurate manner.
• Work with the Safehouse team to coordinate services to assist clients in meeting personal goals and ensure all intake paperwork is completed.
• Provide crisis intervention and emotional support to shelter clients as needed.
• Assesses safety concerns and provides client-centered options to increase safety and stability.
• Assists residents with day-to-day needs of living in SafeHouse environment.
• De-escalate and mediate client conflicts, modeling appropriate problem solving.
• Responds to crisis phone calls and walk-in crisis clients.
• Assures a healthy and safe living environment is met by providing light housekeeping.
• Records case notes of shift activities for shift change briefing.
• Other duties as assigned by Residential Program Manager or Executive Director.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or working towards) in Social Work, Psychology, or related field, or minimum one year of direct service in non-profit human service agency.
• Experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
• Ability to work well with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, including residents, victims, family members, law enforcement, staff and other professionals.
• Ability to work independently in a shelter environment with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team environment, with proven ability to assist and support in the development of team decisions and program policies.
• Knowledge of community resources and partnering agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Understanding of secondary trauma, client trauma responses and crisis management.
• Ability and availability to complete 30 hour required paid advocate training provided by ATV.
• Ability and availability to complete required criminal background check and attend victim services training provided by ATV.
• Bilingual/bicultural LGBTQ and/or persons of color encouraged to apply.
• Bilingual candidates will receive an additional $1 per hour pay differential.

Diversity Equity & Inclusion is important to Alternatives to Violence. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for improving people's lives. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of one’s identity. All of our employee’s points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $19.10 per hour

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 4 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $19