Client Assistant

Agency Overview:

Doorways is an Arlington-based non-profit agency helping individuals and families create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. We envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, abilities, language, or national origin. We see a future without homelessness or domestic and sexual violence.

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders-women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people.

Program Summary:

The Doorways' Domestic and Sexual Violence Safehouse is the only domestic and sexual violence shelter in Arlington County. This program uses both congregate and scattered site models to provide a safe, temporary home to those who are escaping imminent danger due to domestic and/or sexual violence. The Doorways Domestic and Sexual Violence Safehouse is more than just a place to find shelter from domestic and sexual violence.

All are welcome, including women, men, and those who identify as LGBTQ+. At the Safehouse, Doorways provides a spectrum of life-saving, supportive and educational services to help survivors of all ages learn about their options, increase their safety, and live a life free of violence. These wraparound, trauma-informed services enable individuals and families to obtain safety, stability, and self-sufficiency so that they can progress to the next phase of their life.

Position Summary:

The Client Assistant (CA) works as part of a team and independently to provide services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their children who are living in Doorways Safehouse and Scattered Site Program. The CA has primary responsibility shelter coverage, crisis intervention, case management support, oversight of daily scattered site operations, and answering calls to our 24-hour domestic and sexual violence hotline as back-up coverage.

The position is as needed, on-site, requires on-call availability and is considered "essential" for personnel in times of hardship, such as extreme weather conditions and/or other emergencies. This position reports to the Shelter Manager, Safehouse.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct Client Services

• Provide primary shelter coverage and secondary hotline coverage.
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times in accordance to Doorways Policy, including former clients.
• Ensure adequate supervision of children by parents.
• Provide in person supportive services as needed to shelter residents, such as crisis intervention, safety planning, and resources as directed by Shelter Manager.
• When answering hotline, provide safety assessments and planning, crisis intervention, and linkages to community resources and referrals.
• Complete all Safehouse and hotline documentation and data entry according to protocols.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with Safehouse residents.
• Complete new client intake process according to policy for all Safehouse clients during shift.
• Document notable interactions among clients, staff and volunteers.
• Elevate pertinent client and house concerns to the DSV Management team in a timely manner.
• Encourage clients to adhere to all community living guidelines and maintain a clean communal living space by prompting to complete daily chores and clean-up after meals
• Perform program departure procedures with clients.
• Ensure shelter residents' needs are met related to accessing prescription and over-the counter medications, personal care items, transportation funds, gift cards etc., adhering to all program policies related to distribution of these items.

Program Operations

• Ensure the safety and security of the shelter and shelter…