Primary Advocate; w​/Focus

Primary Advocate (w/Housing Focus)

Hourly Wage: $27.00 - $29.00 DOE
Hours Per Week: 40
Status: Non-Exempt / Full Time
Number of Positions: 2
Department: West Women’s and Children’s Shelter

Establish and maintain advocacy relationships with participants in the Emergency Shelter program. Perform screening, intake, advocacy, and case management duties in accordance with the domestic violence coordinated access system for shelter access and housing placement for survivors.

• Provide advocacy, supportive services, and case management to participants applying the assertive engagement and trauma informed care model.
• Identify and make connections with resources which assist in participants’ increased safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
• Maintain ongoing professional relationship in all interpersonal contacts (note confidentiality and professional guidelines requirements).
• Facilitate the screening and intake process with emergency shelter residents in accordance with the DV coordinated access system.
• Complete Safety and Stabilization Assessments as necessary and log SSA’s into reporting portal.
• Develop weekly case management plans with participants with the goal of increased safety, self-sufficiency, and housing stability.
• Maintain participant files with appropriate forms and information.
• Close out files within 2 weeks of exit date and provide completed file to Supervisor.
• Update all Service Point data for each participant by the 5th of the month.
• Complete check requests with necessary documentation utilizing available client assistance funds.
• Create a safety plan with each client responding to their unique needs.
• Log pertinent information in a timely fashion.
• Meet regularly with each participant.
• Facilitate “network” meetings as applicable to participant’s needs.
• Provide advocacy to assist in each participant’s housing placement.
• Administer client/rental assistance as it is available to increase safety and housing stability.
• Advocate, support and encourage personal empowerment of the participant and within the shelter setting.
• Perform appropriate statistical and data entry tasks in a timely fashion.
• Work with both internal and external entities to increase the success and safety for each participant.
• Provide front desk coverage as needed and required during your shift.
• Ensure each exit process includes exit evaluation proper turnover of space and forwarding information to the front desk for all exited participant and is completed upon exit.
• Always attend to the safety and security needs of the shelter.
• Maintain high ethical standards in all case consultation with peers and outside agencies.
• Uphold all confidentiality policies and procedures in accordance with agency policies and VAWA Standards.
• Be present and on time for all staff meetings as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Secure housing resource for program clients
• Administer client/rental assistance as it is available.
• Teach/reinforce life and home management skills to Clients (Rent Well).
• Provide housing referral liaison services for all housing programs available to client.
• Provide case management services with a focus on getting clients into housing by learning the housing market and developing a network of resources available to clients.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests and demands from residents.
• High level of problem‑solving skills.
• High level of patience.
• A genuine concern for survivors of domestic violence and their children.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Must be willing to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• Utilize Microsoft Office 2010 or later software.
• Answer and use telephone system.
• Use networked computers and printers.
• Send and receive from a fax machine.
• Use a photo copier and scanner.
• Motor vehicle experience as needed.
• Utilize and understand reporting databases (such as Service Point, Osnium, MS Excel).

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an…