JOB TITLE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATE
STATUS: Full-time or Part-Time Positions, Non-Exempt
SUPERVISOR: Shelter Services Manager
SALARY: $23.00-$26.00/hour
HOURS: Varies – Please see below. Schedule is based on business needs.
WORK LOCATION: Monterey County - In person
________________________________________
Position Summary: YWCA Monterey County, dedicated to the elimination of racism and the empowerment of women, seeks a passionate, dedicated person to be an integral part of our housing team. The Domestic Violence Advocate is responsible for working as part of a team providing services to survivors of domestic violence and performing related work as required including direct case management, responding to callers on the crisis hotline during business and after-hours; assisting with the intake for domestic violence victims seeking shelter services; distributing information about agency programs and services; providing referrals to community legal, medical and social services, and ensuring a safe environment within a 24-hour domestic violence shelter. At all times, the postholder will maintain the integrity of the DV Shelter, YWCA MC DV Programs, and the YWCA by adopting a professional and inclusive demeanor and acknowledge that DV is a human rights violation.
HOURS/WORK SCHEDULE
Shelter staff schedule may include the following during a work week (PT less than 30/week and Full-time is 40hrs/week):
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday
7am-3pm
3pm-11pm
11pm-7am
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide confidential comprehensive wraparound services
- Use a client-centered Trauma Informed Practice approach.
- Provide crisis intervention support to victims of domestic violence who may also be a victim of Human trafficking.
- Participate in the implementation of all shelter program procedures and protocol, including client engagement health and safety.
- Contribute to whole team decision making on approving client admission.
- Follow best practices in case management as determined by Shelter Services Manager.
- Participate in maintaining a rotating 24-hour coverage on the agency’s crisis line and shelter staffing rotation to include overnight, holidays and weekends when needed.
- Answer forwarded crisis line call and take on-call responsibility if and when scheduled.
- Respond to emergencies at night as needed.
- Assist in advocating on behalf of clients in different tiers of YWCA Monterey County Housing programs.
- Ensure effective communication between vendors, donors, interns, and volunteers.
- Manage resources for DV Shelter residents including food, transportation, food bank, in-kind donations and other as needed.
- Assist with shelter operations, maintenance, repairs, overall facility cleanliness, pick up shelter-related donations, and purchase of food and supplies, as necessary.
- Assist with intakes and assessments with potential shelter residents when appropriate.
- Maintain clear and concise client files and records and assist in gathering statistical information in compliance with funding requirements.
- Attend mandatory staff meetings, training sessions, and other agency meetings as required.
- Actively participate in ongoing learning opportunities in line with YWCA Monterey County’s Learning Environment.
- Maintain effective working relationships with other agency staff, volunteers, clients, interns, and other community organizations.
- Work with the whole team to ensure client safety planning is developed and implemented.
- Maintain confidentiality policies related to client information.
- Other duties related to the specific classification as assigned.
- Provide transportation in an agency vehicle when needed for clients.
- Attending community resource events on an as needed basis.
- Facilitate financial literacy classes and other classes for our clients.
- Conducting inspections of the shelter/transitional housing properties
- Provide support for transition housing as needed (Stepdown).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Bilingual/Bicultural (Spanish/English) preferred.
- Minimum of a high school diploma and previous experience in social services or related areas; candidates working towards associate/BA preferred.
- One year of relevant experience providing client services in a similar environment.
- Completion of a 40-hour domestic violence training program (agency will provide on-the-job training).
- Knowledge of intimate partner violence and community resources.
- Knowledge of Domestic Violence Housing First (Preferred)
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally, and in writing.
- Availability to work flexible hours, including weekends, early morning hours, evening hours, and holidays.
- Ability to work with people of diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Experience maintaining personal/professional boundaries.
- Valid California driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and reliable personal transportation.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and volunteer management.
FUNCTIONS
- Serve as a liaison between DV Shelter residents and confidential community services where appropriate.
- Provide trauma-informed services and information to crisis hotline callers and shelter residents.
- Participate in and provide services to survivors of domestic violence including crisis intervention, assessment, advocacy, emergency transportation, information and referrals as needed.
- Participate in maintaining a rotating 24-hour coverage on the agency’s crisis line and shelter facility.
CORE COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
YWCA employees are team members who believe passionately in the work to support victims of domestic violence. The entire team, at its core, exhibits the following competencies:
- Deal effectively with ambiguity
- Compassion
- Adaptability
- Able to prioritize for self and clients
- Action oriented
- Solution focused
- Participate and build effective and accountable teams
- Transparency
- Client focused
- Empathy but with boundaries
PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:
- During working hours, employees may sit or stand for long periods.
- Lift objects up to 50 pounds from floor to waist level and carry for brief periods.
- Bend and stoop while filing or sorting through donations.
- Twist and reach while working at a safe house location.
- Must pass a background ID check (Livescan/fingerprints) and provide DMV record.
- Ability to travel within Monterey County when required.
Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
