Help Line Advocate

Job Description Summary

Advocate Staff

JOB TITLE:                                                Help Line Advocate

DEPARTMENT:                                          Shelter/Help Line

PAY RANGE:                                              $13.86/hour (non-exempt employee)

TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Shelter/Help Line Program Coordinator

MOST RECENTLY REVISED:                August 2016

HOURS:                                                       Evenings and Weekends

Desired experience and other valued skills and abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree in human services field or two years experience in a human services field.

• Demonstrated skill in writing, speaking, interpersonal communication, and teamwork
• Ability to provide empathy
• Competency in crisis management
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the unique circumstances of underserved populations and to survivors to domestic violence and sexual assault
• commitment to ending violence against women and children
• Fluency in language(s) other than English preferred
• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault preferred
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Public speaking experience preferred
• Experience providing trainings preferred

(All) Advocacy Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all rules, policies and procedures as set forth by SafeHouse Center.
• Maintain a professional, courteous and helpful demeanor at all times when working at or representing SafeHouse Center or its programs.
• Participate in any community forum, committee or council as assigned by the supervisor.
• Serve as liaison between SafeHouse Center and the community, being mindful of public image, community relations and the promotion of domestic violence and sexual assault services.
• Allow flexibility in scheduling and job function.
• Respond to any job function as requested by supervisor.
• Abide by confidentiality at all times.
• Make public speaking presentations to the community and/or service agencies as assigned.
• Maintain a good driving record and carry liability insurance for passengers in personal vehicle.
• Read and adhere to the SHC Policy and Procedures Manual; be mindful of health and safety issues at all times; notify Program Director in writing of any concerns regarding health and safety.
• Provide services in accordance with the organization’s personnel policies, mission and goals.
• Greet and assist people when they enter the public lobby.
• Participate in conferences, classes and workshops to enhance professional knowledge and skill.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Participate in regular supervision with the appropriate supervisor.
• Sign up for some holiday shifts during popular holiday times (most notably – but not necessarily limited to – the time around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s). Some limited holiday shifts will be required of all staff in order to keep our essential crisis intervention functions operational at all times throughout the year.
• Sign up for the required number of community education presentations, information tables or other outreach opportunities.
• Assist with special events when appropriate.
• All other tasks as assigned by your supervisor.
• Help to keep shared spaces orderly and take part in office-related light cleaning chores as assigned.
• Maintain a positive cooperative work approach and foster teamwork among co-workers.
• Work collaboratively with each survivor to determine both her strengths, supports, challenges and goals in order to promote her autonomy.

Help Line Advocate

• Answer the Help Line.. Ascertain if caller is a survivor of domestic violence.  Provide crisis counseling, information, referrals and safety planning to survivors and family members.  Referral of other callers to appropriate assistance.
• When possible, arrange to meet the specific needs of callers. When it is not possible (because of the hour), safety plan with the caller on how to get through the night and be sure that the caller knows whom to contact in the morning.  If the caller can be reached during the day, make arrangements for the appropriate staff person to return the call in the morning.
• Review Help Line paperwork for accuracy.
• Responsible for being informed of all current agency services and referring callers to appropriate departments or programs (such as support groups, legal advocacy, non-residential counseling, etc.)
• Screen potential shelter residents.
• Complete Internal Contact Summaries with callers seeking ongoing services and submit for program assignment
• Provide support, guidance and basic supervision to Help Line volunteers
• Enter Help Line information in data base
• Read the shift change at the beginning of each shift and note any relevant details at the end of each shift
• Monitor the parking lot and shelter entrance
• Let residents and other authorized individuals into the shelter
• Attend team and staff meetings
• Participate in regular supervision with the appropriate supervisor.
• Maintain a positive cooperative work approach and foster teamwork among co-workers.

Please email jobs@safehousecenter.org for more information or to apply. PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS.