MFP Housing Advocate – LifeWire – Bellevue, WA

Position: MFP HOUSING ADVOCATE – Part time

Reports to: Housing Program Manager

Hours: 30 hours per week

Salary Range: Starts at $16/hour DOE, Benefits Included, Premium pay for multi-lingual services

Classification: Regular, Non-exempt, N4 Responsibility Level

Start Date: ASAP

LifeWire is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We value diversity on our staff. Survivors of domestic violence and persons of color are encouraged to apply.

LifeWire’s Vision

Domestic violence is a human rights issue. LifeWire envisions a world in which every person lives in a safe environment, free from oppression and with the opportunity to thrive.

LifeWire’s Mission is to end domestic violence by changing individual, institutional and societal beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate it.

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM: LifeWire’s My Friend’s Place is a confidential transitional housing program that serves women and their children who have been impacted by both domestic violence and chemical dependency. The first program of its kind, My Friend’s Place recognizes that domestic violence can lead to and be compounded by substance abuse. The shelter opened in 1997, and in 2005 expanded its services to serve 10 families for twelve months. Services for residents are provided in conjunction with Therapeutic Health Services Eastside (THS), with program goals of safety, sobriety and self-sufficiency.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION: Housing Advocates are responsible for providing daily advocacy, support, and transportation to the women and their children who are residents of My Friend’s Place. MFP Advocates work closely with THS’s chemical dependency counselor located on site and a part of the housing services team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide advocacy to survivors of domestic violence in residence.
Coordinate advocacy needs for assigned families.
Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution and skill building with residents.
Facilitate a support group, education groups, and/or House meetings with residents as assigned.
Provide daily transportation for women and children.
Network with partner/sister agencies for advocacy and support and/or resources for residents. Maintain relationships with DSHS, CPS, Medical and Counseling services.
Provide culturally appropriate services and referrals and/or coordinate interpreter supports to residents as needed.
Provide appropriate crisis management; including suicide/no-harm contracts and sobriety support plans.
Participate in system data collection in an accurate, complete, and timely manner
Conduct outcome measurement and other applicable program evaluation tools
Remain knowledgeable of shelter and agency guidelines and procedures so independent decisions may be made in emergency as well as daily situation.
Participate in trainings addressing social/human service issues, anti-violence/anti-oppression, and diversity.
Attend weekly Case Reviews and monthly All Staff meetings.
Work closely and cooperatively in team setting with shelter, agency-wide staff, interns, donors and volunteers.
Assist in providing training for other staff, volunteers, donors and interns.
Assist in maintaining facility in compliance with fire and health code regulations and inspections.
Provide support to the Children’s Program.
Assist with residential transportation needs with agency vehicles.
Prepare rooms for incoming residents; provide necessary cleaning and room preparation
Provide coordination and packing of residents’ belongings.
Assist with resource coordination.
Maintain organized shared spaces and personal work environment
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

I Requirements:

B.A. in related field. Work experience may be substituted for education.
Two (2) years experience in crisis intervention and domestic violence advocacy preferred.
One (1) year experience providing direct services to women and children in residential facility preferred.
Multilingual/cultural preferred.
Experience in the area of chemical dependency or mental health preferred.
Experience, ability and willingness to work as a team with culturally diverse staff, volunteers, interns, donors and residents.
Work involves physical movement throughout the shelter facility, and employee must frequently climb 4 flights of stairs and carry up to 15 pounds up and down the stairs. Employee must occasionally lift/carry up to 30 pounds and push/pull up to 20 pounds.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, and sit; use hands to finger, handle, or talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision and Depth perception.
Reliable transportation and valid Washington State driver’s license.
Updated CPR and First Aid Certification required.
AIDS/HIV Certification required.
Ability to interact with children of all ages
Basic Computer Skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to deliver services.
Pass background checks.
Attend work regularly.

II LifeWire’s Values: LifeWire’s employees are made of people who believe passionately about the value of this work and take personal responsibility for bringing success to the agency. LifeWire’s team spirit is, at its core, made up these values:

Leadership: LifeWire is a leader in the domestic violence movement, using experienced and cutting-edge approaches that transform lives and foster future leaders.
Respect and Dignity: LifeWire believes that every person, whether it’s the survivors we serve, our volunteers or our staff, has value, deserves respect and has inherent dignity.
Justice: LifeWire is part of and connected to a larger movement to end all types of oppression and violence.
Empowerment: LifeWire provides access to options and opportunities for survivors, AND we believe that survivors have the inherent ability to thrive and are capable of making their own decisions.
Equality: Everyone deserves to be safe from domestic violence, regardless of their background and access to resources.
Passion & Commitment: We are deeply committed to ending domestic violence and approach our efforts with passion.
Professionalism: Our staff and volunteers are highly knowledgeable and skilled in the domestic violence arena, value each other, create a supportive work environment, and conduct themselves professionally at all times.
Education: We believe that education is one of the best tools we have to prevent domestic violence from occurring today and in the future.

How to apply

TO APPLY:

Please return your cover letter and resume to:

LifeWire

ATTN: Human Resources

P.O. Box 6398

Bellevue, WA 98008-0398

FAX: (425) 649-0752

EMAIL: hr@lifewire.org

If both your resume and cover letter are not turned in, application will not be considered.
You will be asked to fill out LifeWire Job Application and Washington State Patrol background check form once selected for an in-person interview.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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