Shelter Advocate
PPC Violence Free Network, a program of Family Service & Children’s Aid Society employs the position of Counselor Advocate to provide services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and other serious crimes. The Counselor Advocate’s role (for each area of concentration) is to ensure that program participant needs are assessed and that appropriate services are then provided to the consumer.
Direct Service:
A. Responds to calls received through the hotline during business hours when necessary.
B. Provides victims of abuse with comprehensive crisis intervention services, options, accompaniment, and support and empowerment counseling.
C. When necessary, provide consumers with emergency accompaniment and emergency transportation utilizing PPC’s vehicle (to maximize the quality and coordination of services).
D. Completes intake assessment forms, service plans, and any other appropriate forms.
E. Reviews service plan with the consumer and provides counseling on a formal basis and on an informal, ongoing basis as needed.
F. Facilitates or co-facilitates psycho-educational and support groups as needed.
G. Maintains a current knowledge of, and communication with, various local service providers for the purpose of offering referrals to program consumers.
H. Maintains accurate consumer files to comply with program standards.
I. Participates in ongoing case management services as required by the Direct Service Supervisor or the Program Director.
J. Attends all daily, weekly, and monthly meetings as required.
Donations & Inventory:
A. Receives and assists with sorting, storage, and disposal of public donations (i.e., clothing, household goods, food, etc.) made to PPC’s shelter.
B. Maintains the Shelter’s donation database.
C. Generates and distributes applicable thank you notes.
D. Maintains an accurate inventory of food and shelter supplies.
E. Ensures resident kitchens and bathrooms are stocked appropriately.
F. Compiles and submits food and shelter supply orders as approved by the Program Director.
G. Verifies the order for accuracy when the items are received.
H. Stocks the Shelter’s food and supply shelves.
I. Submits all receipts for expenditures to the Program Director in a timely manner.
First Response:
A. Provides direct services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and other serious crimes outside of the office, including but not limited to the victim’s home, medical facilities, and law enforcement agencies.
B. Responds to calls received through the business line during business hours when necessary.
C. Participates in the provision of 24-hour first response services on an on-call basis.
D. Conducts assessments with consumers to determine immediate needs to address crisis and safety issues.
E. Provides victims of crime with comprehensive crisis intervention services; support and empowerment counseling; accompaniment to medical facilities, legal proceedings, and law enforcement agencies; criminal justice system orientation; and information and referral services throughout the criminal justice process.
F. Responds in a timely manner to law enforcement, medical personnel, hotline, and 911 to provide assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.
G. Conducts preliminary assessments when a consumer requests a PFA (Protection From Abuse) order to determine if the criteria set forth in the PFA Law are met.
H. Provides assistance to victims who qualify under the PFA Law to obtain a PFA order.
I. Assists consumers in completing paperwork upon intake.
J. Maintains accurate consumer files in order to comply with program standards.
K. Participates in ongoing case management services as required by the Direct Service Supervisor or PPC’s Program Director.
A. Welcomes new admissions to the Shelter, verbally explaining Shelter guidelines; regulations; and safety and sanitation precautions, highlighting the confidentiality concept.
B. Reviews the security system’s monitor for any prior activity while staff members are not on duty.
C. Participates in daily case management of Shelter consumers.
D. Reinforces Shelter guidelines and safety precautions at all times.
E. Assists in the continual maintenance of the Shelter building, grounds, and vehicle to ensure cleanliness, safety, and sanitation at all times.
F. Assists the Program Director in all aspects of shelter operations.
G. Attends all daily, weekly, and monthly meetings as required.
Record Keeping:
A. In a timely manner, collects, reviews, and reports all required statistical data to the appropriate PPC staff member related to the services being provided to give an accurate, up to date monthly profile of service activities to the funding sources, Executive and Administrative staff, Governing Board and PPC’s Advisory Committee.
B. Compiles statistical data to comply with program standards and to acquire additional funding.
C. Assists with the completion of consumer files to ensure an inclusive record of service activities, to be accountable for services delivered, and to ensure that the required forms and documents have been secured in accordance with standards set forth by funding sources.
Other Responsibilities:
A. Attends conferences, meetings, in-services, and training sessions in order:
· to comply with program standards, to strengthen skills in dealing with issues of sexual violence, domestic violence, and victimization, and
· to gain knowledge of current information, regulations, and general knowledge to enhance professional growth.
B. Performs other duties deemed appropriate by the Direct Service Supervisor, the Prevention Education and Outreach Supervisor, the Program Director of PPC Violence Free Network or the Executive Director of Family Service & Children’s Aid Society to enhance the operation of a particular program or of the Agency as a whole.
C. Participates in fundraising activities.
III. HIPAA MINIMUM NECESSARY STANDARD
The minimum necessary standard, a key protection of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, is derived from confidentiality codes and practices in common use today. The minimum necessary standard requires the Agency to evaluate its practices and enhance safeguards as needed to limit unnecessary or inappropriate access to and disclosure of protected health information.
This position may only access the minimum information that is necessary to perform all job accountabilities included in this job description.
Justification/Purpose
A. To carry out basic needs of Program participants, (i.e., hygiene and personal care products, food, clothing, etc.) to provide basic comforts.
B. To carry out the daily operations of PPC including shelter resident room assignments, compiling Program consumer files to ensure a complete record of service activities, policies & procedures, etc. and maintaining accurate consumer files to comply with program standards.
C. To carry out the ongoing operations of the Shelter, (i.e., fire drills, equipment checks, etc.) to offer the best protection available.
D. To carry out the safety and sanitation aspects of the Shelter facility (i.e., cleaning supplies, first aid kits, etc.) to comply with codes.
E. To carry out the operations of PPC including, compiling consumer files to ensure a complete record of service activities, and maintaining accurate consumer files to comply with program standards.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Valid PA driver’s license to use on the job when necessary and proof of own vehicle insurance if personal vehicle is used for business purposes.
2. Submission of a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (PA Act 33).
3. Submission of a Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Record Check (PA Act 34).
4. Submission of an FBI Federal Fingerprint Record Check (Act 73).
5. Submission to a pre-employment drug screening.
6. Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evening and weekend hours based on Agency or Program needs.
7. Willingness to attend out-of-town conferences, training workshops, and meetings as necessary.
V. QUALIFICATIONS
1. Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and professional manner, in both oral and written form.
2. Ability to practice telephone etiquette.
3. Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
4. Ability and personality characteristics to work effectively with people from all social, economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds and age groups.
5. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers, Commonwealth and County associates, facilities, and the public.
6. Ability to work with consumers with physical, mental, medical, or emotional concerns, social difficulties, economic disadvantages, or criminal justice involvement and to advocate effectively on their behalf.
7. Ability to work effectively, independently, and productively without direct supervision, demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness and monitoring own work to ensure quality.
8. Strong commitment to implement and promote the vision, philosophy, goals, objectives, and policies of the Agency.
9. Knowledge and ability to use a computer and software for word processing and data management (data-base spreadsheets, etc.). Proficient in email, Word, and Excel, and familiar with Access and PowerPoint.
10. Ability to independently organize workload around consumer or program priorities.
11. Ability to maintain records and documents and prepare required reports in an accurate and timely manner.
12. Strong organizational and time management skills required.
13. Ability to work well within stated time frames or deadlines. Ability to use time efficiently.
14. Ability to develop realistic action plans.
15. Ability to accept and exercise discretion, judgment, and authority appropriately, and make rational informed decisions.
16. Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.
17. Ability to work under pressure.
18. Ability and willingness to respect, practice, and maintain confidentiality in regard to Agency or consumer information and records.
19. Ability to work as part of a team and strong commitment to working as an effective team member.
20. Ability to develop and maintain an empathetic attitude when working with program consumers.
21. Possess initiative and problem-solving skills.
22. Ability to interpret regulations, policies and procedures and apply them accordingly.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Submit resume to:
Amy Awosina, HR Director
aawosina@fscas.org
Family Service & Children’s Aid Society
716 E 2nd St, Oil City, PA 16301
EOE
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $14.00 per hour
Expected hours: 37.5 per week
Benefits:
Schedule:
Ability to Relocate:
Work Location: In person
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