Shelter Advocate (FT - Swing Shift)

Company: YWCA Pierce County
Location: Tacoma
Posted on: March 17, 2023

Job Description:

ABOUT THE SHELTER ADVOCATE POSITION:The Support Shelter Domestic Violence Advocate provides support and advocacy to victims of domestic violence, both in the Support Shelter and via a 24-hour crisis line. - This position promotes and models empowerment and trauma-informed care to survivors of domestic violence through engaging in and developing trusting relationships, proactively offering support, and providing relevant services to shelter residents and callers. Shelter Advocates support the daily living, health and safety standards, and overall function of the shelter program in compliance with relevant policies, procedures, laws and best practices. - SCHEDULE/COMPENSATION:

• This is a full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt, regular position
• The schedule is Monday through Friday, with a set shift of 2pm to 10pm but requires the ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule to ensure Shelter coverage
• This is a place-based position -and does not have the ability to be done remotely
• For purposes of internal wage equity, this position will start at $25.35 per hour, with an additional 5% place-based differential -for a total of $26.62 per hour; the full job class range is $25.35 to $27.30 based on tenure with YWCA Pierce CountyBENEFITS:This position has a full benefit package that includes:
  Paid time off (starting at 160 hours annually)Paid Sick leave (60 hours annually)Paid Place-based leave (40 hours annually)Eleven paid holidaysMedical/dental/vision insurance available the 1st of the month following hire date (including options for 100% employer paid premiums)Optional supplementary insurance plans through AFLACAccess to our Employee Assistance ProgramEmployer paid contributions to the YWCA Retirement Fund equivalent to 10.5% of your wages after two years of employment.STATEMENT REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINATIONS:As of January 1, 2022, all employees at YWCA Pierce County are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. - Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen.APPLICATION PROCESS:Submit a cover letter and resume detailing how your qualifications meet those needed for this position via our career portal ()CLOSING DATE:This position is open until March 22, 2023, or until filled.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Ensures safety and confidentiality in all interactions and communications related to shelter residents and crisis line callers.
  • Provides crisis intervention and safety planning for Shelter residents and crisis line callers. -
  • Provides quality information and referrals to Shelter residents and crisis line callers.
  • Creates a welcoming environment by greeting clients at the door and helping them bring their things to the office for a new intake. Works to meet the needs of all household members during the intake process. Proactively engages in relationship-building and offering support to shelter residents throughout their stay.
  • Conducts Shelter intakes, including phone screening, wait list and intake scheduling procedures, orientation to the Shelter facilities, room assignments, and accurate completion of all intake paperwork.
  • Collects and enters client demographics, information and service data in computer system in a non-identifying manner consistent with required confidentiality. -Logs pertinent information for shift; overlaps pertinent information to oncoming shift.
  • Models, explains and ensures compliance with Shelter rules, policies and procedures. Adheres to YWCA personnel policies and procedures, shelter protocols, and best-practice standards.
  • Ensures that the Shelter is neat, clean and in adherence with State and local health standards. Implements pest protocols as needed for new or existing residents.
  • Regularly contributes to the cleaning and upkeep of shelter offices and common areas. May perform light maintenance tasks, including but not limited to such things as changing light or shutting off valves.
  • Monitors alarms and cameras and maintains the security of Shelter entrances and regularly completes a safety walk through of the shelter facility multiple times per shift. -
  • Completes and submits applicable maintenance requests to the Operations team, per YWCA procedures. -
  • Communicates donation, volunteer or supply requests appropriately.
  • Provides tangible goods to residents as requested and available. Documents distribution of good accordingly.
  • Ensures that all Shelter services adhere to the principles of Advocacy Based Counseling (ABC) and are in accordance with WAC 388-61A, Chapter 70.123 RCW.
  • Ensures trauma-informed care per the YWCA's model of such values and practices.
  • Meets initial and continuing annual training requirements per WAC 388-61A.
  • Makes mandatory reports to Child Protective or Adult Protective Services or makes reports to law enforcement when there is imminent risk of harm that meets a "duty to warn" threshold.
  • Completes special projects upon request.
  • Upon request, may participate in agency or community work teams or committees. -
  • Actively participates in scheduled Shelter staff meetings and scheduled internal trainings; attends make-up sessions as needed due to absence from required sessions.This is a general description of the responsibilities of this position, and it is not inclusive of all job duties; other associated duties may be assigned or change over time as the program or services warrant. - Work situations are varied and require organization and prioritization. - Position requires the ability to work independently. - OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
    • Commitment to YWCA vision, mission and values
    • Ability to work and communicate effectively with diverse people
    • Ability to manage multiple tasks with many distractions
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs
    • Ability to work as part of a team
    • Ability to work a flexible schedule occasionally for Shelter coverage
    • Effectively adapt to many different situations on a regular basis
    • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
    • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
    • Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients or employees of organization
    • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
    • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
    • Ability to understand and apply shelter policies, procedures, and safety measures, in accordance with applicable Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) standards; RCW 70.123, WAC 388-61A
    • Ability to apply broad concepts appropriately and consistently to varied situationsREPORTS TO:Shelter Program ManagerSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This job has no supervisory responsibilitiesREQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
      Associate degree in Human Services or related field of study (Bachelor's Degree preferred);Minimum of one-year related experience in advocacy, case management, or social service setting including past experience working with survivors of trauma; Experience living or working in diverse communities; ORComparable combination of education and experience.OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

      • Acceptable criminal history record
      • Completion of Domestic Violence Victim Services Training within first year of employment
      • CPR & First Aid Certification preferred
      • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to position requirements and applicable law
      • Preference given to candidates that have bilingual fluency in Spanish-English.WORK ENVIRONMENT:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. - The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; occasionally stoop or kneel. - The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. - Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.ABOUT YWCA PIERCE COUNTY:In alignment with YWCA USA's mission, YWCA Pierce County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA Pierce County seeks to transform lives through safety, healing, and empowerment.As an inclusionary nonprofit organization, YWCA Pierce County provides assistance to survivors of domestic violence and their children. All survivors are welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, or sexual orientation. Bilingual staff and interpretation services eliminate language barriers and ease transitions for all of our clients. In the last three years, YWCA has served an average of over 9,000 adults and children annually, who are seeking help due to domestic violence.YWCA Pierce County is committed to eliminating racism by creating a community of social justice, which means we work for inclusion and equality for all people, regardless of race. We do that within our organization by educating staff, implementing inclusive policies and practices, and practicing nondiscrimination in our services. We do this in the community by promoting and supporting inclusion, equity, and social justice, and by partnering with other organizations who share those values and activities.COMMITMENT TO EQUITY:YWCA Pierce County is committed to enacting anti-racist policies, practices, and organizational structures aimed at dismantling white supremacy in all of its manifestations. We understand that racial inequities sit at the foundation of all forms of oppression and strive to build an intersectional, trauma-informed organizational culture and apply these lenses in the ways we interact with one another and deliver services to our clients and communities. We recognize that anti-racism is not an endpoint, but, rather, a continuous and iterative practice that requires individual, collective, and organizational learning, accountability, and action.YWCA Pierce County is an equal opportunity employer that honors and values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, sexual orientation, or (dis)ability. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, immigrants, refugees, people with (dis) abilities, gender queer and members of LGBTQI+ communities, as well as survivors and individuals from other underrepresented and historically marginalized communitiesIf you require alternative methods of application or other accommodations, please call (253) 272-4181 x226. -Powered by JazzHR

Keywords: YWCA Pierce County, Tacoma , Shelter Advocate (FT - Swing Shift), Other , Tacoma, Washington