Shelter Advocate

Immediate opening for Shelter Advocate

Mission Statement: In collaboration with local partners and all affected by abuse, TTD creates innovative responses and mobilizes our community to promote safety and challenge systems of oppression and violence.

Job Summary: The Shelter Advocate is responsible for providing services to residents of TTD’s shelter for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, and stalking, and for working as part of the Residential Services program to enhance the safety and well-being of families in TTD shelter. The advocate’s responsibilities are focused on safety, and support and connection with residents as well as shelter operations (grocery shopping, setting up rooms, organizing donations, etc). This is a full-time (40-hour per week position). Ability to work some evening and weekend hours is required.

This position will be based at our shelter in Portland, ME. Some travel throughout Cumberland County required. Full and part-time schedules available.

Prior experience and training are an advantage, though TTD values life experiences and provides comprehensive training for all new employees to fully perform advocacy functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Provide safety planning, support, crisis intervention, and information and referral to community resources to victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, and stalking.

b. Refer and link victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, human trafficking, and stalking to all TTD services including but not limited to emergency shelter, groups, legal resources, face-to-face interactions.

c. Link with and inform other shelter staff to ensure consistent information about residents of shelter.

d. Provide shelter residents with safety planning, support, crisis intervention, and information and referral to community resources, linking residents directly with TTD other services and supports.

Required Role on Helpline

All advocates and educators are required to provide on-call coverage for our 24-hour helpline including covering M-F and weekend daytime and overnight shifts, on a rotation, with frequency of shifts dictated by staffing and volunteer levels. On-call responsibilities include serving on the front lines to answer helpline calls as they come through, completing shelter intakes as needed and providing support to our 16-bed emergency shelter, providing support and guidance for on-call volunteers, and seeking consultation from supervisors regarding complex calls. TTD fully trains all employees to fulfill this role, and additional on call pay rates apply. When hiring, we consider if candidates will be a strong fit for our helpline, in addition to the role they are applying for.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

a. Passion for social justice

b. Integrity, flexibility & creativity

c. Ability to work independently and as part of a team

d. Ability to travel to work related events and commitments

e. Curiosity and desire to learn about issues of domestic abuse, dating violence, human trafficking, and stalking

f. Positive communication skills

g. Basic computer competency

h. Embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion

Pay and Benefits

· $19.44/hour with a commitment to an increase to $20.44/hour at the employees’ successful completion of one-year of employment with Through These Doors.

· Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance provided at no-cost for the employee to full-time employees.

· Paid wellness hours

· 27 days per year of earned time off in 1st year

· 12 days per year of sick time

· Retirement Plan - Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE)

· Paid time off for voting

· Mileage reimbursement for non-commuting work travel

· Flexible work options

A note about our workplace: We are a dedicated and committed staff of advocates who believe in safety for all. We value each other, respect each other, and laugh a lot. We create a space that welcomes our authentic selves to the work alongside those experiencing abuse and violence in their homes while also holding offenders accountable and creating a community in which violence has no place.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The goal of TTD’s recruitment and hiring process is to achieve an excellent and balanced workforce with representation and participation from diverse sectors of our society. TTD has a responsibility to our community and to victims and survivors of abuse to actively recruit and hire the best-qualified individuals that it can, and to do so in the context of its commitment to principles of diversity. TTD prioritizes candidates who speak multiple languages and bring a diverse set of skills and experiences to their work.

All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to religious creed, race, color, age, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation. Through These Doors is a nonprofit organization which receives funding from Maine DHHS, MaineHousing, local United Ways, Cumberland County, and your generous donations.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $19.44 per hour

Expected hours: 20 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Night shift
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Portland, ME: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person