Shelter Advocate

Position Summary:

This full time Shelter Advocate position provides trauma-informed domestic violence advocacy services for Survivors of domestic violence residing in Shelter and in South King County. Sensitive to the emotions and experiences of Survivors, the Advocate at Shelter performs crisis intervention, safety planning, resource/information and advocacy-based counseling. This person is a motivated, energetic, and quick learner driven to end violence in our communities. Shelter advocates commonly spend time providing compassionate support to survivors and their children while working with them to identify goals, barriers and resources.

DAWN Team Member Qualities  

We are seeking those:  

• Who have a passion for ending domestic violence, gender, racial, and economic inequality and for social justice, along with a commitment to DAWN’s mission, vision, values, and policies/procedures. 
• Who have a deep commitment to the value that survivors know what is best for themselves and their children, and an ability to suspend personal opinions to support survivors in their choices. 
• Who values of diversity and a commitment to equity in our community are reflected in both the services offered to survivors as well as interactions within the team. 
• Who are committed to learn, be challenged and to grow personally and professionally. 
• Who conduct themselves in a professional manner with co-team members, clients, donors, and community members. 
• Who are enthusiastic about working within a team environment with dedicated, hardworking, and passionate colleagues. 

Client advocacy: 

• Maintains the strictest confidentiality
• Support survivors in creating safety where they feel they need
• Accompanies survivors to relevant
• Work with clients to implement mutually agreed upon goals to build family
• Effective communication using appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and supportive listening
• Listens, supports, and provides empowerment-based advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• Have a deep commitment to understanding that survivors know what is best for themselves and their children.
• Strong ability to communicate with people in crisis, the shelter team, and community
• Have a calm demeanor that promotes cooperation, trust and
• Provide crisis intervention; create integrated safety
• Empower clients by encouraging self-

Outreach and Partnership: 

• Act as liaison between clients and outside service
• Provide presentations and outreach as needed and assigned.
• Refer clients to appropriate housing, legal, medical, educational programs,

Administrative:

• Respond to calls on 24hr Advocacy and Support Hotline—provide supportive listening and referrals to appropriate resources.
• Enter data in multiple databases with ease and
• Attend agency meetings, trainings, and community
• Timely completion of relevant paperwork; data and maintenance of client
• Maintain confidentiality, inform clients of mandated reporting
• Support onboarding for new staff and interns.
• Contribute to a positive and supportive environment for shelter residents and staff.

Operations: 

• While DAWN provides facilities maintenance and grounds keeping, shelter advocates sometimes find themselves mitigating maintenance issues, corresponding with Shelter Manager and Operations Lead
• Advocates also work together to prepare rooms after families move on, creating a clean, friendly space for the next family.
• Assist in donor/partner pickups when available.
• Assist with loading and unloading the vehicles.
• Perform other operational task items as needed and assigned.
• Perform regular cleaning duties such as sweeping, mopping, and sanitizing common areas.
• Ensure that shelter facilities meet hygiene and safety standards.
• Help organize and manage shelter supplies and donations.
• Maintain the exterior areas of shelter including parking lot and grounds. Pick up and dispose of garbage.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Maintain a strong commitment to DAWN’s mission and values.
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse staff, clients and volunteers.
• Respect confidentiality and adapt to what can be a stressful environment.
• Exhibit a friendly and courteous disposition and personality. 
• Maintain strong time management and organizational skills.
• Always adhere to company policies & standard operation procedures (SOPs).
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must possess the ability to make sound judgments relating to crisis situations.
• Must speak and write English proficiently (fluently)
  • Physical Abilities:
    • Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, kneel, and twist on an intermittent basis including answering the front door.
    • Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files and reach overhead.
    • Physically able to walk or run if needed, climb stairs without difficulty.
    • Ability to lift and carry at least 60 pounds.