BARREN RIVER AREA SAFE SPACE, INC.
Who are we?
We are the regional Domestic Violence Shelter & Program serving the BRADD region, consisting of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren counties. Our agency consists of three major departments. Our outreach program assists survivors in court hearings and in individual counseling sessions. Our housing department assists survivors in their search for permanent housing and supports them in their transition to self-sufficiency. Our shelter, or residential services, is the most robust of our three major departments. While all advocates in our shelter contribute to case management services for clients fleeing Domestic Violence, including intake procedures and paperwork, assessments, referral to outside services and addressing urgent physical needs, advocates are also responsible for the upkeep of the shelter household needs. Household responsibilities include cleaning bedrooms for incoming clients, assisting in washing house laundry such as bath towels and bedding (does not include residents’ laundry), cooking meals for residents of the shelter, and managing grocery and food stock.
The mission of the Barren River area Safe Space, Inc is to provide safety and support to victims of domestic violence and their children and empower them with opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency. We educate our community about domestic violence to help identify and spark change, and we advocate to protect the rights of individuals so everyone in our community can be free from abuse.
We want to live in a community where patterns of abuse are broken and stigmas are gone -- a place where society is supportive of survivors, every person matters, homes are free from abuse, and healthy relationships thrive.
Who are you?
The ideal candidate for this position approaches each situation with an open mind, critical thinking skills, and a can-do attitude. You are a creative person who is resilient in the face of vicarious trauma and is willing to help clients address their immediate obstacles on the road to self-sufficiency. You’re a problem-solver, able to work independently when needed and able to contribute to a team. You are punctual, reliable, and detail oriented, with an ability to multi-task in what can often be a fast-paced environment. You don’t shy away from the uncomfortable, you face problems head on, and are able to make difficult decisions when necessary. You’re the kind of person who isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and get the job done, whether that job is attending to the needs of survivors, or helping a client in an uncomfortable or irregular situation. You are the kind of person who sees something that needs to be done, and isn’t afraid to step up and do it. You’re able to implement feedback from managers, and willing to give feedback to leadership in return. You have a passion for helping others, you are dedicated to a trauma-informed care model, and you understand you must often meet survivors where they are.
JOB DESCRIPTION
HOUSING SERVICES ADVOCATE
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
The person in this position provides assistance to the Housing Services Coordinator, Housing Services Manager, and Residential Supervisor. This person will act in accordance with the Fair Housing Act, Kentucky’s Crime Victims Bill of Rights (KRS 421.500), and all state and federal fair housing regulations. This position will assist individuals and families in finding and/or keeping safe, decent, affordable, and accessible housing. This position is under the direction of the Director of Housing Services.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Advocacy:
1. Conduct housing assessments on shelter residents, complete VI-SPDAT, and refer to appropriate housing program
2. Assist with case management, referrals to mainstream benefits and resources and housing search and placement, establishing goals, and providing education on renter responsibilities
3. Coordinate delivery of items to housing units.
4. Coordinate with local resources to secure furniture and household items for new housing units
5. Develop employment resources for program participants and coordinate resources and referrals for career development
6. Complete required documentation in accordance with grant expectations including completing daily service notes
7. Compile and report statistical information on participants as required by local, state, and federal funding sources
8. Provide consultation to staff in areas of housing advocacy and home ownership
9. Increase knowledge of federal homeless and housing policies
10. Attend inter-agency housing related meetings and promote the mission of this agency
Shelter Operations:
11. Answer 24-hour crisis line and provide telephone counseling and referral services
12. Assist with crisis intervention for residential clients.
13. Assist with Shelter operations including cooking and serving meals for clients, cleaning common areas and organizing shelter supplies as needed.
14. Work on holidays according to shelter holiday rotation.
15. Participate in an on-call rotation to ensure 24/7 shelter coverage. This rotation consists of staff being designated as “on call” between 2-4 days per month where they may be called for shift coverage as needed.
Administrative:
16. Compile and report statistical information on residents as required by funding sources.
17. Complete a timesheet reflecting activities completed during each shift as required by grant funders and governmental agencies.
18. Attend all required trainings and staff meetings
19. Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisors
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
· At least 18 years of age
· Bachelor’s degree in business or human service field, equivalent experience, or pursuing degree
· Knowledge of the rights of homeless individuals, housing rights, availability of housing and fair housing laws
· Commitment to adhere to the Member Program Service Standards of the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence
· Complete Certified Domestic Violence Advocate training program
· Valid Kentucky driver’s license and proof on vehicle insurance
· Submit to a criminal background check
The ability to lift and move approx. 50 pound items is required for this position.
Schedule & Pay
The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday.
Employees can expect to work:
Tuesday-Friday: between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm with either a 30-minute or one-hour lunch break.
Saturday: 7 am to 3 pm in the emergency shelter.
The starting pay for this position is $17.00 per hour plus our comprehensive benefits package.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
· Medical, Dental, Vision and Life insurance premiums paid 100% for the employee. Employees become eligible to enroll in benefits on the 1st day of the month following 60 days of employment. Spouse and child(ren) may be added to the benefits plans for a fee.
· $25,000 Basic & AD&D Life Insurance for the employee, paid 100% by the Agency.
· Enrollment in the Kentucky Early Retirement System pension after 9 months employment. Employee will contribute 6% of pre-tax earnings, with employer match.
· Employee begins accruing vacation & sick time off on day one of employment. Employees accrue 8 hours of vacation & 8 hours of sick time per month, equaling 12 vacation days & 12 sick days per year.
· 11 Paid Holidays per year. Staff who work on Holidays will be paid 1.5x their normal rate in lieu of a paid holiday. Holidays are randomly drawn for staff to work. The employees' birthday is one of the 11 Paid Holidays each year.
· Paid Parental Leave of up to 6-weeks paid, up to 12-weeks total after 1-year of employment.
· Paid Medical Leave of up to 6-weeks.
HIRING TIMELINE
This position will follow the following hiring timeline:
- Interviews: July 6th-16th
- Mandatory, paid training will begin July 27th or August 3rd
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you able to comfortably lift & move 50 pounds?
Work Location: In person
