Shelter Advocate (Full-Time)
Monday- Friday, 3pm-10:30pm + Wednesday 12:30pm staff meeting
Shelter Advocates play a crucial role in providing support and assistance to victims of domestic violence staying in a shelter environment. This position is dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive atmosphere for clients, helping them navigate challenges related to housing, overall well-being, and personal development. The Shelter Advocates work closely with shelter guests to assess their needs, develop individualized safety plans, and facilitate access to necessary resources. Shelter Advocates also perform duties that indirectly benefit those served by Safe Haven.
The Shelter Advocate position is vital in creating a nurturing environment that empowers individuals on their journey towards stability and self-sufficiency.
Essential Functions
Commitment to Safe Haven’s Mission and Core Values:
Safety: Striving to overcome fear and create a safe environment for all.
Respond supportively to survivors in crisis who call Safe Haven’s help-line, and ensure their need for safety is addressed.
Evaluate requests for shelter services following Safe Haven’s criteria for admittance.
Learn and understand proficiently the partner services Safe Haven relies on to provide safety intervention for all clients.
Promptly address difficulties or problems that arise within the Shelter; address any communal living concerns with clients and maintain documentation of these incidents.
Respond calmly to crisis situations, function well under pressure, and take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining the safety of all clients and colleagues.
Provide accurate, adequate communication between shifts to ensure the emergency needs and daily needs of clients are addressed in a timely fashion.
Maintain shelter security at all times.
Comply with MN Mandated Reporting Statute.
Uphold the principles of confidentiality as defined and required by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Record and document all injuries to clients as requested.
Respond effectively to follow up calls from Law Enforcement Officers reporting incidents of domestic violence.
Obey all traffic laws while operating Safe Haven vehicles; drive defensively and safely at all times.
Empowerment: Creating independence through education, respect and awareness by putting the needs of the survivor and their children first.
Maintain professional boundaries with all Safe Haven clients.
Encourage all clients to familiarize themselves with Safe Haven’s Resource Center and the services provided.
Engage with survivors who stay at Safe Haven to provide emotional support and encouragement.
Manage competing priorities efficiently and effectively.
Advocate on behalf of all clients who are experiencing adversity and barriers to accessing necessary services.
Do the best work possible for the survivors served by Safe Haven programs.
Equality: Working toward justice and shared power.
Role model positive behavior, interactions, conflict resolution etc. for our clients and the community.
Assist clients in completing public benefit applications, housing and employment applications, etc. as requested.
Employ strong ethical values in all aspects of the job.
Work supportively with survivors and their children; honor their choices.
Teamwork: Collaborating with trust, integrity, passion and competence to reach our goals.
Maintain professional boundaries with co-workers.
Contribute to an environment of trust, collaboration and responsibility agency-wide.
Maintain up-to-date records, individual files, logs, and all other necessary forms including recording statistics and keeping electronic files in the Apricot data tracking system used agency-wide.
Abide by Safe Haven’s personnel policies.
Maintain cleanliness of the shelter common areas, Advocacy Offices and other areas as needed.
Ability to fill a variety of shifts which will primarily include weekends, but may also include days, evenings, nights, and holidays.
Assist with essential agency and/or program-related errands as needed and directed.
Attend all self-selected shifts, or find a replacement when necessary upon approval of Shelter Supervisor.
Offer creative suggestions for improvement, growth and/or expansion of policies, procedures and programs.
Compassion: Providing support and resources with non-judgmental advocacy.
Promote and participate in creating an environment of dignity and sense of self-worth for all survivors.
Contribute to an atmosphere of respect for domestic violence survivors.
Understand the dynamics of domestic violence, including the challenges and barriers to permanent separation from an abusive partner.
Positively represent Safe Haven internally and in the community, and act as a liaison with other agencies serving survivors: provide referrals as necessary.
Provide adequate privacy for survivors when addressing personal information such as the intake process, goal-setting, and supportive conversations.
Offer transportation for clients as needed.
Qualifications & Competencies
Required Qualifications
Lived experience of domestic violence and/or experience living as an unhoused person, or; college experience in Human Service or related field, or; 3 years of experience in human service work.
Demonstrated consistency and dependability in regard to scheduled shifts and/or work hours.
Ability to remain awake and alert during scheduled work hours.
Computer skills including, but not limited to, word processing, data entry, spreadsheets and email.
Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
Valid driver’s license and insurance minimums of 100,000/300,000/100,000.
Ability to pass a background check before hire and annually thereafter.
Required Competencies
Impeccable ability to follow through with assigned, and/or self-directed tasks.
Ability to drive a vehicle safely in all conditions and circumstances.
Skillful at tolerating and navigating ambiguous situations effectively.
Ability to be warm, friendly, positive and approachable.
Value diversity and leverage the benefits of different perspectives.
Ability to physically attend to the various needs of the Shelter facility (i.e., cleaning/housekeeping, making beds, serving meals, washing dishes, lifting {up to 30lbs}, ascend/descend a flight of stairs, using office equipment {computer, telephone, etc.}).
Desired Qualifications
Experience working with people who are:
· managing crises.
· from diverse racial, cultural, social, economic and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.
· experiencing chronic, persistent mental illness and/or chemical dependency.
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field.
Knowledge of Duluth and surrounding area community resources.
Experience in a residential facility setting strongly preferred.
Understanding of trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic violence.
Ability to read, write, speak and understand multiple languages including American Sign Language.
Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional orientation or gender identity, political affiliation, marital status, status with respect to public assistance, disability, or age in the delivery of services or employment practices.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $21.16 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
