Emergency Shelter Domestic Violence Advocate – Seattle – YWCA Downtown Women Emergency Domestic Violence Shelter

DESCRIPTION: Emergency Shelter DV Advocates are responsible for providing crisis intervention counseling and other social services to women in crisis who are temporarily housed in the Downtown Emergency domestic violence shelter.

This position has a social justice component that will require critical thinking around how the external systems impact the work that we are doing through the lens of racism and intersections with poverty. Knowing the core principals of antiracism work and grounding those principles in everyday work, as well as working well in non-white environments and championing anti-racism policy, are required job skills and core values. As an equal opportunity employer, we highly encourage people of color to apply. Must have flexibility to work Day, Swing or Grave shifts.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Data entry for numerous programs into data systems, HMIS, Infornet, Client Track.
Ability to work with a diverse population and provide culturally competent advocacy.
Provide advocacy based counseling to Domestic violence survivors and their children.
Complete screening process to fill available shelter space.
Complete the intake process for client admittance including data collection and reporting.
Assist emergency shelter residents by providing resources, information and referrals
Provide crisis intervention and referrals on the 24 hour emergency domestic violence crisis line for those seeking shelter and other services, not limited to domestic violence.
Able to effectively safety plan with survivors of domestic violence, including, shelter residents, walk-ins and over the phone.
Develop ongoing referral relationships with health, legal and social service systems.
Provide parent support and education to YWCA shelter residents
Provide crisis intervention assessment and case management, as well as referrals to outside agencies.
Maintain and update client files regularly to provide timely data collection and reporting.
Attend staff meetings & maintain 30 hours of annual DV training.
Develop ongoing relationships with other services agencies to be able to help clients navigate systems such as the health & legal systems and other community resources.
Work as a member of case management team and in concert with other community service providers to deliver support services and ensure follow-through; develops and maintains these collaborative relationships
Implement all work by incorporating the YWCA’s Social Justice Initiative by understanding how racism, sexism, classism and other oppressions intersect and are embedded in all institutions and systems. Recognize that solving racism is the root of how we understand and heal from these –isms.
Show demonstrated ability to interact with people of different cultures.
Continue search for understanding of racial, gender and class equity.
Adhere to all Volunteer Services protocol relative to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring. Work alongside volunteers, where applicable. Understand where internalized oppressions (superiority and inferiority) play a role in volunteer and client interaction and know ways to address these oppressions from a solutions-based perspective.
Assure that volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background. Understand how racism has played a role in defining what respect and dignity is and use racial equity and multiracial perspectives when teaming with volunteers.
Performs other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Must have completed a minimum of twenty hours of initial basic training that covers: advocacy based counseling; history of domestic violence; legal, medical, and social services; system advocacy; confidentiality and ethics; client safety assessments; planning, problem, and crisis intervention; providing services and advocacy to individuals from diverse communities; policies and procedures for DV service; and referrals and shelter resident transfer.
Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field and at least one year of direct social service experience or two years of equivalent experience and/or translatable skills will be considered in lieu of degree
One year of experience providing direct services with survivors of domestic violence
Experience working within the HMIS, Infonet, and client track data entry systems.
Experience, ability and willingness to communicate and work well with survivors from a variety of racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds and with various religious beliefs, lifestyles, sexual orientations, age variance, differing abilities.
Experience working in a population with women who may be experiencing, substance abuse, mental illness, sexual assault, homelessness. .
Experience in maintaining accurate and timely documentation of clients files, data entry, monthly reports.
Ability to work independepent in a shelter environment with limited supervision. .
Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team environment, with proven ability to assist and support in the development of team decisions and program policies
Strong orientation toward advocacy, with ability to navigate multiple systems (i.e., human services, healthcare, criminal justice, child protective services, educational
Strong knowledge’s of community resources, and other partnering agencies.
Oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills
Computer familiarity with Windows, Word., Excel, and Outlook and ability to use online tools such as Microsoft Sharepoint
Experience working with communities of color
Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism and poverty
Core competencies expected: Fostering Diversity, Social Justice Advocacy, Attention to Detail, Collaboration, Communication: Oral and Written, Crisis Management, Customer Service, Interpersonal Skills, Personal Credibility, Planning & Organizing/Time Management, Reliability, Specialized Knowledge, Leading & Developing Others and Discernment/Judgment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS POSITION: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In performing this position, the employee:
Continuously sits while doing indoor work including operating a computer
Continuously local travel to multiple locations for off-site meetings
Frequently uses speech, hearing, and sight abilities in exchanging information with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community
Frequently uses hands and wrists, fingering, handling, grasping and reaching in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
Occasionally lifts/carries up to 20 pounds in performing duties in the office and in traveling to off-site meetings
Occasionally reaches outward, stands, squats, kneels, bends, walks and reaches above shoulders in performing duties in the office and in traveling to off-site meetings
Indoor office environment with occasional outdoor work and exposure to excessive noise
* Continuously over 80% time, Frequently 20-80% time, and Occasionally under 20% time

HOURS AND RATE:
$16.35 per hour, Must have flexibility to work Day, Swing or Grave shift
On-Call hours as needed
On-call staff accrue paid sick leave hours
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Non-exempt
At the time of hire, employees may choose to voluntarily enroll in the Fidelity 403b Plan. Typically after two years of employment, employees are eligible to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund.

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter and resume including where you found this position to dohiring@ywcaworks.org. In your cover letter identify three specific challenges when serving survivors of domestic violence and possible solutions to these issues.
CLOSING DATE: This position will remain open until filled.

The YWCA of Seattle • King County • Snohomish County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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