Spanish Bilingual Outreach and Intake Advocate

Job Title: Bilingual Outreach & Intake Advocate

Classification: Full-time non-exempt

Reports To: Shelter Manager

Position Funded by a Grant: Yes

On-Call Responsibilities: Yes

JOB SUMMARY

The advocate works with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the areas of Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties, Arkansas. Answers incoming phone calls. Completes paperwork upon admission and/or departure of families for residential and outreach services. Provides one-on one advocacy and case management to families. Provides information and referrals to services and community resources. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must be bilingual in Spanish and able to translate forms and other documents as needed.
• Provides trauma-informed direct services to victims of domestic abuse and their children including support, advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, parenting support, information, and referrals.
• Provides follow up case management for rehousing clients.
• Provides support to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault by answering the crisis phone line.
• Completes intakes (both direct service and paperwork) during work shift.
• Completes exit paperwork with clients ending services.
• Records documentation related to client services into the client database system.
• Coordinates services along with Social worker for survivors seeking counseling or support group.
• Coordinates outreach services along with the Court Advocate for survivors seeking assistance with orders of protection and other justice system related needs.
• Facilitates and schedules transportation of clients to and/or from appointments as needed.

• Assists other staff in coordinating programs for clients receiving services.
• Reviews emergency procedures with other staff on monthly basis and as needs arise.
• Participates in On-Call rotation.
• Assists in covering Front Office and other organizational duties as needed.
• Models non-violent conflict resolution and uses non-violent forms of guidance.
• Takes appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining a safe environment for clients and staff, and reports such situations in writing to supervisor.
• Understands and utilizes principles of trauma informed care and the empowerment philosophy of advocacy.
• Performs routine chores and cleaning tasks assigned to ensure the safety and cleanliness of facility.
• Email requests to Supervisor to address maintenance issues as they arise.
• Attends and participates in scheduled meetings.
• Spends night at shelter in unusual circumstances, such as snow storm, or other emergency situation.
• Maintains various certifications of trainings in Domestic violence and Sexual Assault.

• Exhibits exemplary attendance and punctuality.
• Complies with company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & RELATED EXPERIENCE

• Dedication to the mission of the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter and adherence to our core values.
• Dedication to the empowerment model of service delivery.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in social work, family and human services, or related field is preferred. On the job experience can substitute.
• Bilingual Spanish required
• Experience in social services and/or family violence.
• No prior felony convictions for violent offenses.
• Background checks will be required
• Random drug test will be conducted.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Commitment to Quality Service: Builds and maintains client/community satisfaction with the services offered.
• Demonstrate proficiency in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and other applications as well as experience using and entering data into client databases.

• Team Focused & Collaborative: Promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objectives.
• Self-Accountability & Work Standards: Sets high standards of performance for self and assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
• Stress tolerance: Maintains composure during emergency and crisis situations.
• Professionalism and Personal Boundaries: Conducts self within appropriate and expected professional boundaries and policies.
• Conflict Management: Helps others with conflict resolution.
• Valuing Diversity: Helps to create an environment that embraces diversity.
• Confidentiality: Expected to follow policies and procedures regarding confidentiality of clients served and the organization.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form, as well as follow detailed instructions.
• Practices safe working techniques.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid Driver’s License
• Ability to work with little or no supervision.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS

This position has no supervisory responsibilities. However, the Advocate will be expected to interact with co-workers and families we serve, on a daily basis.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sitting: Must be able to remain in a (stationary or sedentary) position for long periods of time.

Standing: Must be able to remain in a (vertical or upright) position for long periods of time.
Walking: Must be able to (move or traverse) (about the work area, from one work area to another) to (accomplish work tasks or other specific functions).

Lifting: Must be able to raise up to (35) pounds of (equipment, documents, tools, product, merchandise, supplies, and/or other items) from a lower to a higher position or horizontally from position to position to (move, position, put, install, remove, etc.) (objects, specific items, etc.).

Carrying: Must be able to (move, transport) up to (35) pounds of (equipment, documents, tools, product, merchandise, supplies, and/or other items) from (one area to another, one shelf to another shelf, etc.).

Pushing: Must be able to use (upper and/or lower) extremities to (press and/or push) against (object, various items) with (steady, mild, strong, etc.) force in order to (thrust, move) (forward, downward, upward, and/or outward).

Pulling: Must be able to use (upper and/or lower) extremities to exert (steady, mild, strong, etc.) force in order to (draw, haul, tug, etc.) (objects) in a sustained motion.

Climbing: Must be able to (ascend and/or descend) (ladders, stairs, ramps, scaffolding, poles, etc.) to (perform a work task).

Balancing: Must be able to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while
(walking, standing, crouching, etc.) on (narrow, slippery, erratically moving, specific types, etc.) surfaces.

Stooping: Must be able to (move, bend) body (downward and/or forward) by
(using lower extremities, bending spine at the waist) to position self to (work in spaces close to the floor, lift, pick up, etc. objects).

Kneeling: Must be able to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees to position self to (work in spaces close to the floor, view objects, etc.).

Crouching: Must be able to bend body downward and forward by bending leg and spine to work in (small, crowded, low, etc.) spaces while (completing work tasks or other specific functions).

Crawling: Must be able to move about surfaces using lower and upper extremities such as hands and knees/feet to (work in small, crowded, low, etc. spaces or to move about work area to complete work tasks or other specific functions).

Reaching: Must be able to extend (upper or lower) extremities in (upward, downward, backward, or outward) direction to (perform work tasks or other specific functions).

Handling: Must be able to (operate, activate, use, prepare, inspect, place, detect, position, or apply pressure to) (an object or other specific item) to (pick up, place down, move, etc.).

Grasping: Must be able to apply pressure to (grip, hold, clutch, clasp, clench, etc.) (an object or to complete other specific tasks).

Seeing: Must have visual acuity to (detect, determine, perceive, identify, recognize, judge, observe, inspect, perform, operate, estimate, assess, etc.) (the accuracy, neatness, thoroughness, etc.) (equipment, of documents, emails, contracts, product specifications, computer screen, etc.).

Talking: Must be able to (communicate, converse with, convey, express oneself, etc.) verbally (to or with customers, vendors, suppliers, internal team members, general public, etc.) to (exchange or present information, respond to questions, assist in problem- solving, etc.).

Hearing: Must be able to (receive information through oral communication, detect specific sounds, make discriminations in sound) to (obtain information, assist in problem-solving, recognize dangers, etc.).

Smelling: Must be able to (detect, discern, sense, identify, etc.) (odors, aromas, scents, fragrances, etc.) to (complete work tasks).

WORKING CONDITIONS

Duties are typically performed at the NWAWS facility. The work environment is usually controlled indoor environment with a moderate level of noise. The position requires frequent travel for client transportation, meetings and/or trainings; occasional over-time work may be required throughout the year. Additionally, the work pace can be fast and stressful at times. Occasional risk of verbal and physical confrontation as part of the work environment. Exposure to chemical products for maintaining shelter cleanliness

This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks and duties may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be required. This document does not create an employment contract. Employees are employed on an “at will” basis and may be terminated at any time. Consistent with all federal and state disability laws,
NWAWS will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause undue hardship to the organization. NWAWS provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call